"Illustrating Nature" | May 5 - June 10

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

"How I Learned to Drive" | May 31 - June 3 (8 p.m. Thu.-Sat., 3 p.m. Sun.)

1001 Center St., Santa Cruz
Tickets: SC Civic Box Office: 831-420-5260
831-425-1003, www.sccat.org

Hats Off to Dad | June 1

Treat dad to a steam train ride and Chuckwagon BBQ. Each lucky dad so honored receives an engineer's cap and free handcar ride. One lucky dad is selected per train to ride down the mountain in the locomotive cab. Model trains on display.

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

First Friday Free Admission at MAH | June 1 (11 a.m.- 6 p.m.)

The museum is open Tue-Sun, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Its store, located in the street front octagon building, is open Tue-Sat, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun, noon-5 p.m.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

Free First Friday Lunch Tour at MAH | June 1 (noon)

Sherry Karver leads an in-depth discussion about current Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk series' exhibition.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | June 1 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

Golden State 410 Sprint Cars, Ocean Late Models, American Stock.

Santa Cruz Country Fairgrounds
2601 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville
831-476-9466,. www.oceanspeedway.com

Festival at the Cement Ship | June 2 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Celebrate the unique history of the WW1 Concrete Ship Palo Alto, the natural wonders of Seacliff's fossil beds, and the many animals that call the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary their home. Enjoy music, fun and food. Experience the park's history through arts, crafts, games and stories. Make a kite to fly on the beach. Visit educational booths to learn about our animal friends.

Seacliff State Beach
Hwy 1 @ State Park Dr., Aptos
831-685-6444, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Scandinavian Mid-Summer Festival | June 2 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

All thing Scandinavian: food, dance, music, Butik, mid-summer pole, and children's activities.

Scotts Valley Community Center
Kings Village Rd.
831-464-3310, www.scc-santacruz.org

"Splat" Art Tour | June 2-3 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Visit the working studios of 28 renowned & emerging painters. Maps found online at www.splatarttour.com

Various Studios
831-239-4084, www.splatarttour.com

Woof to Woof | June 2 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

A doggie fun day for four-footed folk and their two-footed friends. All proceeds benefit Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Games, races, demonstrations.

Skypark Soccer Complex, Scotts Valley
www.coastaldogs.com