Santa Cruz Blues Festival | May 26-27

This festival takes place in a natural amphitheater surrounded by Red Wood trees. in Aptos Village Park. Entertainment line up has: Saturday: Los Lonely Boys, Indigenous, Jackie Greene, Sonny Landreth, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings. Sunday: Etta James & the Roots Band, Little Feat, Robben Ford, Tommy Castro and Nina Storey. Tickets available in advance or at the gate.

Aptos Village Park
831-479-9814, www.santacruzbluesfestival.com

Birders Walk at the Carmel River Restoration Area | May 26 (8 a.m.)

An Audubon directed outing to the recently enhanced south-fork of the Carmel River mouth State Park Wildlife area. Meet at the parking area immediately past the south end of the Hwy# 1 bridge crossing the Carmel River. Leader: Bill Hill. Contact : 831-624-3300

Meet at SP parking area at Hwy 1, Carmel River bridge.
Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society, www.montereyaudubon.org

23rd Santa Cruz Longboard Club Invitational | May 26-27 (6 a.m.-6 p.m.)

West Coast's oldest, longest-running competitive surfing event. It has amateur and pro surfers in eleven age groups.

Steamers Lane at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz
831-454-9888

Boulder Creek Art, Wine and Music Festival | May 26-28 (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)

18th annual festival that celebrate the good life and launch of the summer vacation season in the Santa Cruz mountains. More than 200 vendors line the streets of downtown offering original art works unique art and hand-crafted items, a selection of fresh cooked treats and nibbles, and wines from 15 area wineries. There is non-stop music from two stages playing Rick, Jazz, and Blues music. Also, the Kids Activity area offers a range of things for youngsters from rock wall climbing to bounce houses. Free event.

Downtown Boulder Creek
831-338-2578, www.bcba.net

15th Santa Cruz Blues Festival | May 26-27

14th annual musical event with food, beer, wine. Featured artists include BB King, Roomful of Blues, Coco Montoya, Los Lobos, John Hiatt and other top performers.

Aptos Village Park
831-479-9814, www.santacruzbluesfestival.com

Santa Cruz Baroque Festival - Music in the Gardens Tour | May 27 (1-5 p.m.)

Music and refreshments are offered at a select group of area gardens. Ticket $30. Available at San Lorenzo Garden Center, The Garden Company, Florabunda Florist and Zinnia's Home and Garden.

Various locations 831-457-9693, www.scbaroque.org

Art at the Beach | May 27 (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

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | May 27 (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

1950s Play Day | May 27 (1-3 p.m.)

Join in on a family fun day. Play games like hula hoops, horseshoes, and marbles. Taste home-made ice cream, listen to music of the time and watch old-time TV shows. And, join organized games. Free. All ages.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

Marine Mammal Research Tour | May 27

Head behind the scenes at Long Marine Lab. Learn about the work of scientists and their studies of dolphins, seals, sea lions, and whales. Tour is best suited for adults and children over 10 years of age. Space limited, free with admission. Reservations required. Call (831) 459-3800

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
Reservations: 831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu