55th Annual Capitola Begonia Festival - Capitola Jungle Safari! | Aug. 31 - Sept. 3

Everyone is welcome to participate in all festival activities. Some events require advance registration and planning, as with the nautical parade. Supplies and equipment are provided for most events. Visit the festival website for details.

Friday, Aug. 31: "Capitola Goes To The Movies" begins at Dusk on the Beach.. Bring the family, a picnic dinner, chairs, blankets and we'll provide the popcorn.

Saturday, Sept. 1: Sand Sculpture Contest (8:30 a.m.-noon); Budding artists at the Esplanade (9 a.m.- Noon); Community Group Volleyball ( 1-5 p.m.); Concert in the Park (5-7 p.m.); and Float Construction Viewing (4-10 p.m.)

Sunday. Sep. 2: Horseshoe Tournament on the Sand (8 a.m.-finish); Chalk Art on the Seawall (9 a.m.-noon); Beach Blanket Begonias! (11 a.m.-noon); 54th Annual Nautical Parade (1-3 p.m.); and Concert in the Park (4-6 p.m.)

Mon. Sep. 3: Fishing Derby on the Wharf (6 a.m.- noon); Children's Art Event (11 a.m.-2 p.m.); and Rowboat Races on Soquel Creek (1 p.m.-finish)

Capitola Village
800-919-8155, www.begoniafestival.com

Great Train Robberies | Sept. 1-2

Witness shootouts of famed lawmen and notorious outlaws from the 1880s at Bear Mountain. Blazing reenactments demonstrate why the West was wild.

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

First Tuesday Free at the Seymour Center | Sept. 4 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Visit our aquarium, exhibit hall, and touch tanks. Take a tour or explore on your own. Join us as we explore Monterey Bay with our hands-on family programs!

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

26th Greek Culture & Food Festival | Sept. 7-9

Traditional music, dance and food. There are games and displays.

Church St. between Cedar & Center, Santa Cruz
831-429-6500.

Capitola Art & Wine Festival | Sept. 8-9

There are more than 200 artists, 16 featured wineries, gourmet foods, entertainment from two stages throughout the day, children's art area. Saturday beach-side concert (5-7 p.m.).

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

Mad Scientist Experiments | Sept. 9 (2-4 p.m.)

BBQ, games, crafts, face painting and educational presentations from community businesses, service groups and government. Free. All ages.

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

Big Kahuna Triathalon | Sept. 9 (9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Triathalon: Swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56 miles, Run 13.1 miles, Luau, & Expo. Race registrations is at Depot Park that is also the venue for the open-air bazaar Expo. Displays feature the latest in multi-sport equipment. Awards ceremonies at 2 p.m. at the Boardwalk bandstand. Big Kahuna Port-Race Luau treats athletes to food and refreshments. There is ongoing Hawaiian music and entertainment, organized by Michelle Kiba.

Race depart from Depot Park, 119 Center St., Santa Cruz
Other events at the Beach Boardwalk Bandstand.
Register & information: www.firstwave_events.com

Santa Cruz County Fair | Sept. 11-16

An old-fashion county celebration with displays of home-crafted goods, hobbies, collectibles, art and photography. Other areas have service club projects, commercial vendors and there is a large horticulture section with commercial and amateur displays. The agricultural area has barns and paddocks with chickens, cows, sheep, goats, other farm animals and the horse arena. Throughout the fair grounds there are ongoing demonstrations, competitions, auctions and at the Agriculture History Museum, Yesterday's Farm has historic equipment, other displays, demonstrations, and activities. Featured entertainment groups are found at several stage locations. Other highlights include an adult and a child carnival areas and an abundance of fair food that ranges from cotton candy to ethnic choices and various fresh grilled BBQ options. Open Tue-Fri, noon-11 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sun 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Fair Grounds, Watsonville
831-724-5671, www.santacruzcountryfair.com

Movies at the Beach | Sept. 14 (6:30 - 9p.m.)

Seating begins at 6:30 p.m.; Movie starts at 7:30 p.m.; Free popcorn from 7-7:30 p.m. This is a great chance to watch a movie on an Indian Summer evening. Come early, have dinner in the village, bring the family, bring friends, flashlights, low-back beach chairs, blankets and warm clothes just in case it's a cool night.

Esplanade Park and Beach, Capitola
www.ci.capitola.ca.us

Monterey Sea Canyon Birdwatching Tour | Sept. 14 (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