10K Firecracker Race | July 4 (8:30 a.m.)

Race follows a scenic and challenging course through Santa Cruz, through Pogonip Park; starts and finishes at Harvey West Park. $35.

Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz
831-439-7049, www.active.com

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

Starlight Evening Train | July 7 (6-11 p.m.)

Wonder at the beauty of a redwood forest lit up at night during a 2-hour, round-trip railway excursion from the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 1-831-335-4484.

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

Starlight Evening Train | July 14 (6-11 p.m.)

Wonder at the beauty of a redwood forest lit up at night during a 2-hour, round-trip railway excursion from the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 1-831-335-4484.

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

Star Parties at Quail Hollow - Jupiter & Deep Space | July 17 (8 p.m.-midnight)

Indoor video presentation followed by outdoor hands-on activities and telescope viewing. Rain and cloudy skies cancel the program. Free. All ages.

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

Starlight Evening Train | July 21 (6-11 p.m.)

Wonder at the beauty of a redwood forest lit up at night during a 2-hour, round-trip railway excursion from the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 1-831-335-4484.

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

35th Annual Wharf to Wharf Race | July 22 (Start 8:30 a.m.)

Limited to 15,000 runners - register early. Know at "The best little road-race in California." The six-mile race attracts a great field of runners from around the world. The race route is lined with virtual gauntlet of entertainment...singers, dancers, clowns and jugglers... bands of every type... pep... dance... classical... raging sixties... surf... heavy metal... pop... jazz... mariachi... percussion... bagpipes... more than forty groups in all. The race has more entertainment per mile than any other event of its kind in the world.

Route from Santa Cruz Wharf to Capitola's Wharf.
Registration & info: www.wharftowharf.com

"Back 40" Celebration | July 27-29

A 40th anniversary celebration of the Student Garden Project at the Alan Chadwick Garden.

Alan Chadwick Garden, UCSC Campus Farm
831-459-3240

Full Moon Madness | July 28 (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Join a moonlit guided tour of the redwoods and moon gaze through telescopes. Activities include music, multi-media presentation about the park's nocturnal critters, crafts for kids and refreshments.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Hwy 9 @ North Big Trees Rd., Felton
831-335-7077, www.santacruzstateparks.org