If Houses Could Talk - Ranch House Tour | Oct 21 (2-3:30 p.m.)

Learn the history and stories about the six families who lived at Quail Hollow Ranch ? from Sun-Kissed Ranch to Sunset Magazine. Free. All ages.

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

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | Oct. 21 (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

Santa Cruz Mountains Winemakers Wednesday | Oct. 24 (5-8 p.m.)

Two to four winemakers pour tastings in the Rock Room Lounge. Featured wines sold at the bar and in the dining room are priced at 50% off.

Shadowbook Restaurant, Capitola
Winemaker presentation and tasting. Special price/service in dining room.
Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Assn.
831-685-8463, www.scmwa.com

Spooky Stories | Oct. 26 (7-9 p.m.)

Storyteller David Peerless tells fright and fun spooky stories from various cultures. Free. Ages 9+.

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

Garden Days at Gilroy Gardens | Oct. 26 (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

Marine Masquerade and Scary Aquary | Oct 26 (6:30-9 p.m.)

A family night at the aquarium. Story telling, crafts, scavenger hunt and flashlight tour of whale bones and other stuff.

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

The Haunted Tail - Walk through Twin Lakes | Oct. 26-27 (7-10 p.m.)

An event evening for children. Docent led walks for children 8 years and older.

Twin Lakes State Park from the Simpkins Swim Center, Live Oak
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

Ghost Train | Oct. 26-27

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

Scarecrow Alley and Pumpkin Patch | Oct. 27-28

A Gilroy community event. Area businesses, organizations and other groups create one-of-a-kind scarecrows that are displayed along the park's entry path and bridge. Purchase a holiday pumpkin at the Hall's Mercantile Pumpkin Patch.

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

Heritage Harvest Festival | Oct. 27 (11 a.m.-4 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