Gilroy Gardens Hosts A Heroes Welcome | May 24-July 6

It’s a Red, White and Cool celebration for our Heroes! Military, Veteran, Fire, Police, and Emergency Personnel with valid IDs receive one free and one half off General Admission tickets for families up to six persons.

3050 Hecker Pass/Hwy 152, Gilroy
408-840-7100, www.gilroygardens.org

Guided Walk at Elkhorn Slough | May 31- June 1 (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

Art at the Beach | June 1 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

A select group of area artists display works at the Esplanade’s outdoor gallery. Some will be demonstrating their craft with works in progress. This is a free event.

Esplanade Park, Capitola
www.ci.capitola.ca.us

Hallway Gallery - Kali Kata M. Bula, Mixed Media | June 1-30 (Mon-Sat-9 a.m.-9:30 p.m.)

Louden Nelson Comm. Center
301 Center Street, Santa Cruz
831-420-6177, www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us

MAH - “Ying: Inspired by the Art and History of China” | June 1-29

Ying: Inspired by the Art and History of China offers a new path of discovery through these historical, traditional and contemporary art and artifacts by Chinese and Chinese-American artists and artisans. The Museum continues to organize exhibitions that address the intersection of history and contemporary art, and as we are fully committed to embracing our community, we have included Santa Cruz artists whose works are greatly influenced by Chinese art and history.

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

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (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

Gilroy Gardens - Red, White & Cool Days | June 1-30 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

See all new red, white and blue floral displays and a special sidewalk sale at Hall's Mercantile.

3050 Hecker Pass/Hwy 152, Gilroy
408-840-7100, www.gilroygardens.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