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

UCSC Farm & Garden Fall Plant Sale | Sept. 7-8 ( noon-6 p.m. / 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Plant vegetable crops that will extend your gardening season and give perennials a good head start for next spring's blossoms. The region's best-suited varieties of organically grown winter vegetables and landscape plants are featured at the Fall Plant Sale.

UCSC Campus - Barn Theater Parking Lot
831-459-3240, zzyx.usc.edu/casfs

Apple Varieties for the Central Coast Workshop | Sept. 15 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Garden Manager Orin Martin leads this special workshop about growing and harvesting apple varieties that thrive under Central Coast conditions. An apple tasting will follow the lecture.

UCSC Campus - Farm and Garden
831-459-3240, zzyx.usc.edu/casfs

Garden Days at Gilroy Gardens | Sept. 21 (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

Garden Days at Gilroy Gardens | Sept. 28 (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