Apple Butter Festival | Oct. 18 (9 a.m-5 p.m.)

There is apple butter canning, antique farm equipment, crafts, BBQ, fresh apples, juice pressing, bakery, antiques and much more.

Gizdich Ranch, Watsonville
831-722-1056, www.gizdich-ranch.com

Santa Cruz Band Review | Oct. 18 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.)

The 38th Annual Santa Cruz Youth Band Review marches from downtown Santa Cruz to the Boardwalk. Watch high school bands from all over California strut their stuff.

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

37th Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival | Oct. 18-19 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

There are many events held throughout the community. Saturday has the Great Pumpkin Parade and on Sunday is the Pumpkin Run/Walk on a coast trail and a kids 5K and 10K fun run/walk. Call for run details: 650-712-7322. Both days have a pancake breakfast and pumpkin pie eating, carving and costume contests. There are arts and craft vendors, food, entertainment, and several area farms have pumpkin patches, special events and games. Other festival events are the scarecrow competition (Oct 18, 1 p.m.) and the pumpkin weigh-in (Oct. 19, 7:30 a.m.). Free admission. No pets.

Main St. and area farms, Half Moon Bay
650-726-9652, www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest

Gilroy Gardens - Halloween Treasure Hunt and Camp Night | Oct. 18-19 (weekends)

Day time activities are filled with fun. 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. On Saturday night the Gilroy Campgrounds is spooked-up for a fun family camp-out. Camp package includes three meals, activities, overnight camping and admission fees. Visit www.gilroygardens.org for details and reservations.

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

Ghost Train | Oct. 24-25

Ride the train through a haunted forest as the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is narrated. USA Today named this one of the top ten Halloween events in the U.S. Reservations required.

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

Wild Things Nighttime Flashlight Tour | Oct. 24-25 (8:30 p.m.)

Enjoy a unique Halloween tour through Wild Things animal facility. Stroll through decorated grounds, while costumed tour guides tell myths about exotic wild animals. Refreshments follow with a photo opportunity with “spooky” Halloween animals.

Vision Quest Ranch
400 River Rd., Salinas
831-455-1901, www.wildthingsinc.com

Heritage Harvest Festival | Oct. 25 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Celebrate: the harvest is in! See tractor, drafthorse and other living history demonstrations, listen to music, do crafts, try your hand at harvest-time activities. Food available for sale, or bring a picnic lunch.

Wilder Ranch State Park
Hwy 1, 2 miles north of Santa Cruz
831-423-9703, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Missing Arm of William Waddell | Oct. 25 (6:30 p.m.-)

History takes a tall tale twist as the saga of this early pioneer unfolds. The silly, slightly haunting tours around the redwood loop trail begin at 7:00 pm. Enjoy the redwoods on a fall night with music, storytelling and “Ranger Apples” around the campfire. All participants must register at Park Headquarters (registration opens at 6:30 pm).

Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Hwy 236, 9 miles from Boulder Creek
831-338-3944, www.mountainparksfoundation.com

Capitola Village Halloween Parade | Oct 26 (2 -4 p.m)

Line up at 1:30 p.m. at the Pacific Cove Parking Lot above Capitola Police Department & City Hall. Parade begins at 2 p.m. and winds through Capitola Village and ends at Esplanade Park. Trick or treating offered by local merchants.

Capitola Village
831-475-6522, www.capitolachamber.com

Monterey Sea Canyon Birdwatching Tour | Oct. 28 (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