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

Annual Monterey Bay Coastal Cleanup | July 4 (morning)

Join the community in the annual Santa Cruz County Coastal Cleanup of area beaches. For information about times and locations assignments, equipment and captains call 831-426-5925 or visit www.ecoact.org.

Area beaches
831-426-5925, www.ecoact.org

Thursday Night Downtown | July 5

Free outdoor fun: live music, dancing, performances, classic cars, evening shopping, children's activities and more.

Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
831-429-8433, www.downtownsantacruz.com

Thursday Night Downtown | July 12

Free outdoor fun: live music, dancing, performances, classic cars, evening shopping, children's activities and more.

Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
831-429-8433, www.downtownsantacruz.com

California Rodeo Salinas | July 18-22

This is the state's oldest rodeo and one of the top five rodeo money events in the world. There are pre-rodeo activities which includes "Grand Bulls on Fire," 7/18 at 7 p.m.. This is a PBR USSTC Challenger Tour Event, paying a $40,000 winner purse. The rodeo opens each day with a traditional horse parade through downtown Salinas, there is entertainment, a cowboy poetry event on Sat. night at Sherwood Hall, and a carnival open 7/13-22 from 4 p.m.-closing.

Salinas Sports Complex
(Info.) 800-771-8807, (Tickets) 800-549-4989. www.carodeo.com

Thursday Night Downtown | July 19

Free outdoor fun: live music, dancing, performances, classic cars, evening shopping, children's activities and more.

Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
831-429-8433, www.downtownsantacruz.com

14th Annual "Cops 'n Robbers Classic Car Show and Cruise" | July 21 (7 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Start the day at 7 a.m. with a cruise through Scotts Valley to the opening of the Car Show at Siltanen park.

Siltanen Park
127 Vine Hill Rd., Scotts Valley
831-440-5663, www.scottsvalleypd.com