Gilroy Gardens Hosts A Heroes Welcome | May 24-July 6

It’s a Red, White and Cool celebration for our Heroes! Military, Veteran, Fire, Police, and Emergency Personnel with valid IDs receive one free and one half off General Admission tickets for families up to six persons.

3050 Hecker Pass/Hwy 152, Gilroy
408-840-7100, www.gilroygardens.org

“Illustrating Nature” | June 1-July 8

Annual spring showing of best works of artists from the UC Science Illustration program. More than 60 works are displayed that are done in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, colored pencil, graphite, scratch-board and digital media mediums.

Museum of Natural History
831- 420-6113, www.santacruzmuseums.org

Bikes on the Bay - Vintage Motorcycle Show | July 1 (9 a.m.- 4 p.m.)

Bring the family and enjoy viewing hundreds of vintage pre-1985 motorcycles and scooters, American, British, European and Japanese. Find that part that you've been missing at the Motorcycle Swap Meet. Purchase your dream motorcycle and scooter in the Bike Corral. Vendors offer the latest in bike accessories. Food and live entertainment will also be offered. Admission is free!

Main Street in Soquel
831-475-6522, www.capitolachamber.com

Great Train Robberies | July 1

Witness shootouts of famed lawmen and notorious outlaws from the 1880s at Bear Mountain. Blazing reenactments demonstrate why the West was wild.

Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton
Info: 831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | July 1 (1-3 p.m.)

Create fun crafts that feature the cool creatures of the tidepools. Make a seastar suncatcher, or create your own sea anemone! There are activity sheets, scavenger hunts, and a take home souvenir of your day.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

History Hike: A Walk Through Time | July 1 (10 a.m.-noon)

Docent led walk to areas of the park that recalls stories about the Ohlone, Missions, Californios, American Settlers and the Lane family. Free. All ages.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

First Tuesday Free at the Seymour Center | July 3 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Visit our aquarium, exhibit hall, and touch tanks. Take a tour or explore on your own. Join us as we explore Monterey Bay with our hands-on family programs!

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Spirit of Wastsonville - Independence Day Parade & Celebration | July 4 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Start your 4th celebration at the Annual Pancake Breakfast (8-11 a.m.), followed by a parade through downtown with floats, marching units, bands, antique farm equipment, service clubs and other pageantry. (11 a.m.) The Downtown Plaza is the community gathering place for food, entertainment, presentations and other activities.

Downtown Watsonville and at the Plaza
www.ci.watsonville.ca.us

Boulder Creek 4th of July Parade | July 4 (10 a.m.)

A true small community style 4th celebration. Children units, home-made floats, pet parade, service clubs, politicians, firemen on their trucks, bands and so much more. The parade route is through the center of town and ends at the community fire house. Bring the family and enjoy some old fashion fun. Free.

Hwy 9, Boulder Creek
www.bcba.net

Great Pyrenees on Parade | July 4 (10-11 a.m.)

Northern California Great Pyrenees Rescue Dogs are featured in a special canine unit at the annual Aptos 4th parade. All pyr. big white fluffy dogs are asked to dressed in blue and red and bring along their with two-legged friends. Parade line-up is at 9 a.m. at Wells Fargo Bank on Soquel Dr. Club members and guests celebrate at near-by post-parade gathering. For further details, contact: Deb Michelotti at deb@citadeltech.com (please use "pyr" in the subject line of your email).

Aptos Independence Day Parade - Main Street
www.livingwithdogs.us/events.html