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

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

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

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

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.

The World of the Small | Sept. 16 (2-4 p.m.)

Discover nature's small creatures in the wild and under a microscope. Free. Ages 6+

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

Monterey Sea Canyon Birdwatching Tour | Sept. 16 (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

Monterey Bay Birding Festival | Sept. 21-23

Fall is a magical time of year for birding along the Monterey Bay. Over 400 species of shorebirds, ducks, geese, seabirds and songbirds gather along this beautiful coast to over-winter among our wetlands, sloughs, shores and woodlands. Participate with Central Coast birding enthusiasts in a full weekend of activities centered in the Pajaro Valley, heart of the Monterey Bay's world-renowned birding area. Sign up for guided outings. This year's schedule includes a trip to the Big Sur Condor Project, and a special presentation on the Snowy Plover. Other outings are to Watsonville Wetlands, Elkhorn Slough National, Estuarine Research Reserve, Pajaro Dunes, Pajaro River, Moss Landing State Beach, Ventana Wildlife Society Big Sur Ornithology Lab, Sunset Beach, and locations along the Santa Cruz Coast.

Watsonville (various locations)
831-763-5600, www.montereybirdfestival.org

Moonlight Dinner Train | Sept. 22 (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