Gilroy Gardens - Halloween Treasure Hunt | Oct. 11-12 (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

Welcome Back Monarchs Day | Oct. 12 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Join us for this joyful, monarch-filled day and welcome the monarchs back to this park, their over-wintering habitat. Participate in numerous activities including arts & crafts, active games for kids, music by the 5M’s (the mostly mediocre musical monarch mariposas), hand- cranked ‘monarch’ ice cream (pumpkin), information and action booths as well as more about monarch butterflies and how-to’s for a butterfly garden.

Natural Bridges State Park
West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz
831-423-4609, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Gilroy Gardens - Halloween Treasure Hunt | Oct.15-16 (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

Wild Things Nighttime Flashlight Tour | Oct. 17-18 (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

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

Guided Walk at Elkhorn Slough | Oct. 18-19 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

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

Guided Walk at Elkhorn Slough | Oct. 25-26 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

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