Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | May 13 (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

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | May 18 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

"Gary Jacob" 50 Lap Ocean Late Model Race, Micro 600, 4 Bangers, Dwarf Cars, IMCA Modiffieds.

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

Garden Days at Gilroy Gardens | May 18 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Attention all gardeners.... the Garden's Docents are on hand to inform visitors about the parks elaborate gardens and educational exhibits. Special horticultural seminars are presented by experts who are also available to answer your gardening questions. No rides will be in operation during the event hours. Garden Day tickets are $12 and available at the gate.

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

Poetry Readings | May 18 (8-10 p.m.)

Local poets read their works in an atmosphere of warmth and encouragement surrounded by visual arts in the art center gallery. Suggested donation $3.

Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
9341 Mill Rd. Ben Lomond
831-336-3513, www.mountainartcenter.org

Cabrillo College Jazz Singers & Jazz Combo | May 18-19 (8 p.m.)

Big Bands and Jazz Combos.

Cabrillo Jazz Series, Mainstage Theater
Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos
831-479-6331, www.cabrillo.edu

Ukulele Jam and Sing Along | May 19 (7-9 p.m.)

Although this jam is ukulele-centric, players of all acoustic instruments and singers of all levels are welcome. When the weather is fine the group meets at the Art Center campfire at the back of the Art Center. Limited seating so bring your own chair. Visiting musicians welcome.

Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center
9341 Mill Rd. Ben Lomond
831-336-3513, www.mountainartcenter.org

IAB Taste for the Cure at Bargetto Winery | May 19 (4-7 p.m.)

The Institute for Applied Biomedicine welcomes visitors in an effort to help raise money for AIDS research. There is a wine tasting, gourmet food and live music in Bargetto's Cellars and Courtyard. Also, a silent & live auction featuring donated items from local retailers and artists. $20 advance tickets, $25 at the door.

3535 North Main St., Soquel
800-422-7438, www.bargetto.com

Free Family Festival: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Centennial Celebration | May 19

Children and adults enjoy musical performances and take part in hands-on arts activities that have a seaside Boardwalk theme. There are carnival fare, gallery tours, historical artifacts from the 100-year-old amusement park and other activities. Fee.

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

Family Day at the Agricultural History Project | May 19 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

There are historic farm equipment demonstrations, draft horses, goat and cows. See docents churning butter, making cheese and participate in other day-to-day farm duties. There are many old fashioned games and other farm related activities for children.

2601 East Lake Ave. (Hwy 152), Watsonville
831-724-5898, www.aghistoryproject.org

Monterey Sea Canyon Birdwatching Tour | May 19 (7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Travel just a few miles off the coast to the Monterey Bay's 6,000 foot deep canyon where more than 70 bird species travel from both hemispheres to feed on these rich waters. Monterey Seabird Tours are available during peak migration seasons, limits the number of travelers on a tour, and are led by expert naturalists and birders.

Monterey Boat Charters, Monterey Wharf
831-375-4658, www.montereyseabirds.com