JAN 1 - OCT 31 MONTEREY: Old Fisherman’s Wharf is pleased to announce a special milestone: its 180th anniversary and will celebrate with a variety of special promotions and events throughout 2025. For starters, Old Fisherman’s Wharf is commemorating the Wharf's 180 years of fishing, delivering, and cooking fresh calamari in a variety of delicious […]
APR 9 - 16 MORGAN HILL/SAN MARTIN/GILROY/HOLLISTER/SAN JUAN BAUTISTA: Film Festival events include: Filmmaker Competitions; Young Filmmaker Program, 40 & Up Filmmaking Workshop, and more!
APR 10 - APR 13 SALINAS: A four-day "Celebration of Cycling," Sea Otter Classic is regarded as the largest and most comprehensive gathering of cycling enthusiasts in the world. Part recreational biking, part competitive event, part festival, part expo and 100 percent fun. This action-packed cycling extravaganza features amateur and pro cycling events as well as […]
APR 12 - APR 13 FELTON: Adults and kids alike will enjoy viewing California Central Coast on 30's large scale model railroad display. Watch model trains chugging through the Redwoods, around railroad bends and over the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Boardwalk with the miniature scale of the Central Coast spread out before them. During […]
APR 12-13 MONTEREY: This free family friendly event will be held at and around Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the Custom House Plaza - Monterey State Historic Park. It includes fun and educational activities for all ages, musicians, and dozens of interactive marine-related interactive exhibits by numerous local and national organizations.
SANTA CRUZ: Head to Quail Hollow Ranch for a quiet exploration under the moonlight. On this one-hour guided hike on the lower trails, you can search for critters and meander through the forest. Bring flashlights and/or a headlamp (though you may try to hike without them), and some drinking water. Dress for the weather and […]
SANTA CRUZ: Just in time for Spring Break, head to the outdoor market with unique artisans while taking in the spectacular view of the ocean. This one-of-a-kind market will be held in two parking lots along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. This is always a popular spot for locals and tourists, as it overlooks […]
SANTA CRUZ: Earth Day 2025 will be held at beautiful Downtown Santa Cruz on Cooper St, Pacific Ave, and Abbott Square. Local businesses and organizations will gather for a day of fun and environmentally focused activities and education. There will be live music, face painting, a photo booth, lots of food options from Abbott Square […]
SANTA CRUZ: Enjoy a jewelry workshop with local artisan Lisa Schaffer Doggett. In this workshop you will learn to create a pair of gorgeous Sterling Silver or 14k Gold Fill earrings with Herkimer Diamonds. Lisa will teach you basic wire wrapping techniques, which include making hook and eye clasps, and an earring wire with basic […]
SANTA CRUZ: During this program, you will be introduced to a craft used by indigenous peoples around the world: coiled basketry. CA basketry is some of the most ornate in the world, and this opportunity will pique your interest in learning more about, and supporting traditional arts. This 2-hour workshop will teach you how to […]
SANTA CRUZ: Logjam! annually attracts over 100 competitors ranging in age from 7 to 60+, from all over California. Contestants bring their cherished vintage “logs,” pre-1970 longboards weighing 20 lbs. or more. They are surfed without a leash; truly a show of classic longboarding!
BIG SUR - The Big Sur Marathon is 26.2 miles of the most beautiful coastline in the world - and, for runners, the most challenging. The athletes who participate in the Big Sur International Marathon may draw inspiration from the spectacular views, but it takes major discipline to conquer the hills of Highway One on the […]
SANTA CRUZ: The Surfers Path Half Marathon consists of a 13.1 mile run from Santa Cruz to Capitola and back. The event starts at the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and travels east along the coast. The route takes runners past the Santa Cruz Harbor, Moran Lake and Pleasure Point as it makes its way […]
WATSONVILLE: This event is family-friendly and free of charge. Participate in games and activities relating to climate action and climate solutions. Learn about local resources and efforts to become more resilient to climate change. Be inspired to take part in our local efforts while you are in Watsonville and back at home!
MAY 3 - MAY 4 FELTON: Drawing on Far West Fungi's 40 years of experience in the mushroom community, come hear from the best and brightest who have shaped the industry to host a massive two-day fungus extravanganza.
MAY 3-4 PACIFIC GROVE: The 66th Annual Good Old Days Street Festival is Saturday, May 3rd from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Sunday, May 4th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Good Old Days Street Festival is Pacific Grove’s premier community event and is returning to downtown Pacific Grove the first weekend of May! […]
MAY 8-11 PARKFIELD: Celebrate the 25th Annual Parkfield Bluegrass Festival On Mother’s Day Weekend An unforgettable weekend of music at the Parkfield Bluegrass Festival! Every Mother’s Day weekend, the tiny town of Parkfield on California’s Central Coast transforms into a lively hub for bluegrass fans. This historic town, home to just 18 residents, invites over […]
FELTON - Treat MOM to something memorable on her special day with a beautiful Mother's Day train ride through the towering Redwoods. Hallcrest Vineyards will be pouring their local wines for purchase.
SANTA CRUZ: Show Mom you’re thinking of her! Head to Lighthouse Point on West Cliff Drive to find artisan goods, specialty food and music, and something for everyone! Enjoy shopping with the best views in Santa Cruz!
SANTA CRUZ: Check out the UC Santa Cruz Arts division at this salon-style gathering presenting the work of UCSC’s Digital Arts and New Media Department.
MAY 16 - MAY 18 CARMEL: This will be the 32nd anniversary of the Carmel Art Festival, held in Carmel-by-the-Sea since 1993. 60 plein air artists, a veritable list of all-star winners of the past 30 years, arrive in Carmel on May 16 and will be painting all over the Monterey Peninsula for 2 days. […]
SANTA CRUZ: The first ever VDubs in the Village is open to the public for everyone to come spend the day in Capitola Village and check out some beautiful vintage Volkswagen cars. Enjoy the Capitola surf culture and live music with some vintage Volkswagens!
MAY 23-25 PARKFIELD: Experience Authentic Cowboy Culture at the Parkfield Ranch Rodeo! Every Memorial Day Weekend, the historic town of Parkfield, California—home to just 18 people—hosts the Parkfield Ranch Rodeo, a true celebration of Western traditions. Known as the Cowboy Side of California, Parkfield offers a rare chance to experience California’s rich ranching heritage. Spectators […]
MAY 24 - MAY 26 FELTON: This Memorial Weekend, take the Redwood Forest Steam Train up to Bear Mountain and return. Enjoy family-friendly activities in the town of Roaring Camp.
SANTA CRUZ: This month’s nature hike at Loch Lomond Recreation Area will feature noted botanist Andy Werner, who will discuss native plant species found in the Newell Creek watershed. In addition to native plant species, park rangers will provide information on water system operations and watershed lands management.
MAY 31 - JUN 1 FELTON: The annual Redwood Mountain Faire brings together a wide range of music styles on two stages. The Faire benefits nonprofit and service organizations and is organized by the Valley Women's Club of the San Lorenzo Valley.
JUN 12 - JUN 26 CARMEL: The Carmel Bach Festival invites you to experience the joy of classical music. Enjoy exciting orchestra and chorale concerts, chamber music recitals, free pre-concert talks, open masterclasses, and more, all taking place at several Carmel, Monterey, and Pebble Beach venues. With more than 50 events to choose from, there […]
FELTON - Salute DAD on Father's Day by treating him to a ride on the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train and lunch. In addition, enjoy live music at the BBQ where Humble Sea will be pouring the best local brew for sale.
JUN 17 - JUN 20 SALINAS: The California Rodeo Salinas is one of the top 10 professional rodeos in the US out of over 600 and the largest rodeo in California. With over 110 years of tradition and a little bit of something for everyone, it's an event you don't want to miss. Not only […]
FELTON - Get ready to step on board the Circus Bubble Train. Zillions of bubbles will float through the air as you travel down the tracks through the Redwood Forest. Meet the Bubble Ubbles, Mr. Bigz Bubbles and BB Bubbles on the train. Your train ticket also includes a show in the Circus Ring at […]
FELTON - This 4th of July, take either the Redwood Forest Steam Train or the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Join us in the Town of Roaring Camp for family-friendly activities and live music.
FELTON - Treat yourself to an evening of fun and relaxation at Roaring Camp's Moonlight Steam Train Dinner Party. Start with a hearty BBQ dinner followed by a leisurely train ride aboard vintage railway cars.
FELTON - Evening train and dinner excursion from the beach to the Redwoods. Upon arrival, a delicious barbecue dinner and live music awaits you.
FELTON - Roaring Camp presents the 5th Annual Brewgrass Festival. Enjoy Bluegrass music, brews from local breweries and food from popular local food trucks. Back this year - VIP Brewgrass Tasting Train round-trip from Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp.
FELTON - Nationally recognized Pit-Masters and local gill gurus alike battle it out for cash prizes, trophies and the honor of having their secret recipes voted Best BBQ and the Roaring Camp Cook-Off. Come hungry and vote for your favorite to win the People's Choice award. Want more than a taste? BBQ vendors will be […]
FELTON - Evening train and dinner excursion from the beach to the Redwoods. Upon arrival, a delicious barbecue dinner and live music awaits you.
