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

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

Highland History Walk | Sept. 8 (Noon-3 p.m.)

Join ESF's Land Acquisitions Specialist Kevin Contreras as he leads a group of 20 through the panoramic highlands at Brothers Ranch. Priority given to Elkhorn Foundation members.

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reerve
1700 Elhorn Rd.
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

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

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | Sept. 9 (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 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

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