"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

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

Vintners' Festival - A Taste of the Mountains | June 2-3 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

An annual event highlighting the wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains Appalachian. This weekend's focus is on wineries and winemakers located in the region's eastside. Various locations offer flight tasting, barrel tasting, winery tours, food, music, art exhibits and other activities. Featured wines are available for purchase at venues. A Festival passport ($30 in advance or $35 at day of event) may be purchased online at www.scmwa.com.

Visit the region's wineries and tasting venues.
Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Assn.
831-685-8463, www.scmwa.com

First Tuesday Free at the Seymour Center | June 5 (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

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | June 8 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

Santa Cruz County Bank Night At The Races, Wright One Construction 380 Sprint Cars, American Stock, 4 Bangers, IMCA Modified, Micro 600.

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

Boardwalk Centennial Gala | June 9 (6 p.m.-midnight)

An evening of celebration. Hosted bar, 6 p.m.-midnight; strolling buffet dinner, 6-8 p.m; entertainment highlighting 100 years of boardwalk music, 6-9 p.m.; and dancing 9 p.m.-midnight. Event proceeds benefit the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.

Cocoanut Grove Sunroom
400 Beach St., Santa Cruz
831-423-5590, www.beachboardwalk.com