Mission Adobe Day | Sept. 13 (noon-4 p.m.)

Make your own hand-dipped candle, see outdoor cooking methods and make your own tortillas, shape an adobe brick, and hear tales of the past. This hands-on living history day gives visitors a chance to explore and connect with the history of Santa Cruz’s oldest structure, built by Native American labor during the waning days of Mission Santa Cruz's existence. Designed as native worker "family apartments", it is the only original of its kind in California today.

Santa Cruz Mission State Historical Park
144 School St., Santa Cruz
831-425-5849, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Guided Walk at Elkhorn Slough | Sept. 13-14 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Elkhorn Slough Visitors Center
1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

Moonlight Dinner Train | Sept. 13 (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.

Monterey Seabirds off-shore birding | Sep. 13 (7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Fully guide off-shore tour to see migrating seabirds. $95. Advance reservations suggested.

831-375-4658, www.montereyseabirds.com

Monterey Seabirds off-shore spotting at albacore grounds | Sept. 14 (5:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Fully guided birding adventure to off-shore albacore grounds. $135. Advance reservation required.

831-375-4658, www.montereyseabirds.com

Celebración del Día de la Independencia/Mexican Independence Day Celebration | Sept. 14

Various ceremonies and events.

Downtown Plaza and Main St, Watsonville
831-761-0861

Guided Walk at Elkhorn Slough | Sep. 20-21 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Race Night at the Fair - Destruction Derby, Figure 8.

Elkhorn Slough Visitors Center
1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

Bargetto’s 75th Anniversary Cocktail Party | Sep 20 (5:30 p.m.)

Celebrate BARGETTO’S 75th Anniversary with us in our creekside courtyard. There will be appetizers and live music at this fantastic black-tie event. Please contact our events coordinator at 831-475-2258 x 11 for more information.

Bargetto Winery Courtyard
3535 North Main Street, Soquel
800-422-7438, www.bargetto.com

Ohlone Day | Sept. 20 (10 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)

Celebrate the Ohlone People of the past with those of the present at Ohlone Day. You will see traditional dancers and Ohlone demonstrators will share traditional basketry, songs, stories, tools, musical instruments, soap root brushes, language and history. You can throw an atlatl, make a tule craft, play Ohlone games, and try your hand at fire making.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Hwy 9 @ North Big Trees Rd., Felton
831-335-7077, www.santacruzstateparks.org

California Coastal Cleanup Day for Volunteers | Sept 20 (9 a.m.-noon)

Coastal Cleanup Day is a great way for families, students, service groups, and neighbors to join together, take care of our fragile marine environment, show community support for our shared natural resources, learn about the impacts of marine debris and how we can prevent them, and to have fun! Coastal Cleanup Day is also the kick-off event for Coastweeks - three weeks of coastal and water-related events for the whole family. For complete information about participating in a Coastal Cleanup project, locations throughout the Monterey Bay region and other Coastweek events, visit www.coastal.ca.gov

Join 50,000 volunteers by lending a hand in keeping the state’s coastline pristine.
Sign up details found at: www.coastal.ca.gov