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

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

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

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

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

Ohlone Day | Sept. 15 (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

Sept. 15 (9 a.m.-noon) | Sept. 15 (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.