"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

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

Natural Science Illustrations for Kids! | June 2 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Christine Elder, graduate of UCSC's Scientific leads youth, age 10-14, on a fun filled day of art activities that introduce techniques used in illustrations like those displayed for the Museum's Illustrating Nature exhibit. In addition to learning methods for creating realistic sketches, participants will complete a final project using the carbon dusting technique. $40 museum members, $55 general. Reservations suggested.

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

Family Art Saturday at MAH | June 2 (1-3 p.m.)

Special hands-on art activities for families on the first Saturday of each month. 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

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | June 3 (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