Car Races at Ocean Speedway | Oct. 3 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

Day 1 Western IMCA National 30*30 Shoot-Out

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

Loch Lomond Highland Games and Celtic Gathering | Oct. 4

Traditional Scottish Highland athletics, extensive Celtic marketplace, solo bagpipe competition, traditional dance, clan tents, Machair Ruith (Celtic Run), Celtic critters, societies and guilds, living history and reenactor encampments, traditional foods and beverages. Three stages offering continuous Celtic music.

Highlands Park, Ben Lomond
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-457-6716, www.lochlomondceltic.org

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

Day 2 Western Imca National 30*30 Shoot-out

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

Hot Rods at the Beach | Oct. 4-5 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

The Boardwalk shows off classic cars during the 11th Annual Hot Rods at the Beach event to benefit the Santa Cruz City Police Officers’ Association. FREE.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
831- 423-5590, www.beachboardwalk.com

Gilroy Gardens - Halloween Treasure Hunt | Oct.4-5 (weekends) (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Kids 12 and under follow a treasure map to hidden surprises and prizes. There is a Scarecrow Alley at Sycamore Bridge, a build-your-own scarecrow patch and much more.

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

O’Neill Cold Water Classic | Oct. 9-14 (8 a.m.-5p.m.)

Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz
831-475-7500, www.oneill.com

23rd Santa Cruz County Open Studios - North County | Oct 11-12 (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)

A juried collection of 275 professional artists who work in various mediums participate in this event. All participants open their studios to visitors and offer an opportunity to meet and discuss the scope of their talents. The Open Studio Guide/calendar offers a thumb-nail image of each artist’s work and maps to help in locating the studio sites. Refreshments are served at most locations.

Purchase the Open Studios guide to 275 professional artists/studios from various retail area stores and shops, or from:
Santa Cruz County Cultural Council
2400 Chanticleer Ave., Ste G, Santa Cruz
831-475-9600, www.ccscc.org

Harvest Fair | Oct. 11-12

Celebrate Harvest Time and Halloween with scarecrow building and pumpkin decorating contests. Ride the Steam Train. B.A.G.G.E.R.S. display antique gas-powered engines. Crafts and fun activities for kids!

Roaring Camp, Felton
831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

No Attitude Allowed Volleyball Tournament | Oct 11 (8:30 a.m.)

Main Beach, Santa Cruz
www.active.com

Moonlight Dinner Train | Oct. 11 (6-11 p.m.)

Moonlight dinner, dancing, and train ride through a redwood forest lit by flashlight. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 1-831-335-4484

Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton
Tickets/Info: 831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com