There's
always something exciting happening in the Monterey Bay Area. Whether
you are looking for live music or that latest in gourmet cuisine, you
can find it within a short drive of Pajaro Dunes.
Year-Round Events
2nd Thrusday and 4th Sunday of each Month -- Marine Mammal Research Tour
Location: Seymour Marine Discovery Center, End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 459-3800. 2:15 P.M. to 3:15 P.M. Learn about the work of Scientists and their studies of dolphins, sea lions, elephant seals and harbor seals.
1st Saturday of each Month -- UCSC Arboretum Tours
Location: UCSC, 1176 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 427-2998. 11 A.M. Tour the Arboretum's world-class collectionswith a knowledgeable guide to see what is blooming.
2nd Sunday of each Month -- Downtown Santa Cruz Antioque Street Faire
Location: Lincoln Street between Pacific and Cedar, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 476-6940. 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. (weather permitting) Vendor offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items.
Saturdays and Sundays -- Docent led Tour of Elkhorn Slough
Locations: Elkhorn Slough, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA (831) 728-2822. 10 A.M. & 1 P.M. Meet at the reserve and then learn about the unique area on a guided tour.
Roaring Camp Railroads
http://www.roaringcamp.com
Roaring Camp Railroads Felton, CA 831-335-4484. Ride a steam train through Northern California's redwood rain forest at its dramatic best, and learn fascinating information about the ecology and seasonal changes of this unique environment.
Seasonal Events
January 18th, April 19th, July 19th, November 15th -- Wineries Passport Program
Various wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. (831) 685-8463
May 11th, June 15th, July 13th & 27th, August 10th & 24th -- Art at the Beach
Esplanade Park, Capitola, Ca. (831) 475-7300. Local artists will display their work, offer an opportunity to experienceart and purchase directly from the artist.
December Through March -- Guided Elephant Seal Walks
http://www.anonuevo.org
Location: Ano Nuevo State Reserve, Highway 1, Pescadero, CA 800-444-4445. Winter is the prime season to view thousands of elephant seals, including pups, mothers and giant bulls. Ranger-led tours last 2.5 hours, covering 3 miles. Reservations required.
2008 Summer Events
Pajaro Dunes Association Summer Events
July 5th -- Western BBQ at the Sandpiper Center 1:00 PM
Reservations needed. (831) 761-7744
August 30th -- Italian Dinner at Sandpiper Center 5:00 PM
Reservations needed. (831) 761-774
August 31st -- Pajaro Dunes Hoopster's 4th annual 2-2, 1/2 court
basketball tournament 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
BBQ to follow.Reservations needed. (831) 761-
7744
June 2008 -- Monterey Wine Festival
http://www.montereywine.com
Know as "America's original Wine Festival" the Monterey Wine & Fine Living Festival has continued to grow since 1976. More than just a showcase for great wine, the festival is a major educations forum for wine connoisseurs as well as members of the restaurant and foodservice industry.
June 2008 -- Vintners' Festival
http://www.scmwa.com
Various wineries and restaurants in the Santa Cruz Mountains, (831) 479-WINE (9463) Weekend event includes attractions, such as tasting of special wines, food, music, art exhibits, winery tours. 11 am-5 pm.
June 30th, July 1st, September 1st and 2nd -- Roaring Camp's Great Train Robberies
http://www.roaringcamp.com
Roaring Camp Railroads Felton, CA (831) 335-4484. Live performances of classic bluegrass music while you enjoy an old-fashioned BBQ. 9 am-5 pm.
June 2008-- Japanese Cultural Fair
http://www.jcfsc.org
Mission Plaza Park Santa Cruz, CA Presenting colorful performing arts, martial arts, Japanese foods & audience participation in folk dancing. Free, 11 am-6 pm.
June 2008-- Carmel Annual Art and Wine Festival
http://www.thebarnyard.com
Carmel, CA (831) 624-8886. Taste the wines of local wineries, stroll the gardens and visit exhibiting local artists, listen to the music of Easy Street, and sample specialty foods.
June 2008 -- Hats Off to Dad
http://www.roaringcamp.com
Roaring Camp Railroads Felton, CA (831) 335-4484. A lucky dad rides from Bear Mountain in the cab of each steam locomotive. Reservations recommended. 11 am-4 pm.
June 27th to 29th -- 23rd Monterey Bay Blues Festival
http://www.montereyblues.com
Monterey Fairgrounds Monterey, CA(831) 394-2652. Three stages of matchless blues and R-and-B, presented by a festival dedicated to preserving this unique American art form. This year's festival features the Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Ruth Brown, Billy Preston, Shemekia Copeland, and 45 more great acts during three days of music.
July 4 -- Aptos 4th of July Parade
http://www.aptoschamber.com
Soquel Drive & State Park Driveptos, CA(831) 688-1467. "World's Shortest Parade". Pancake breakfast before the parade. Party in the park afterwards with music. 7:30 am-4:30 pm.
July 4 -- Old Fashioned Family 4th of July
http://www.roaringcamp.com
Roaring Camp Railroads Felton, CA (831) 335-4484. Celebrate Independence Day 1880s style with gold panning, candle making, a toy frog flume, stream train & car rides. 12-3 pm.
July -August 2008 -- Cabrillo Stage Summer Musicals http://www.cabrillostage.com
Cabrillo College Theatre 6500 Soquel Drive Aptos, CA (831) 479-6154 - ticket line. One of Broadway's enduring triumphs, the story of Annie Oakley as she joins Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Through August 14.
July - August 2008 -- 69th Carmel Bach Festival
http://www.bachfestival.org
Carmel, CA (831) 624-2046. America's preeminent festival of Baroque music will celebrate its 68th season with 100 musicians from around the world, performing in venues including Sunset Center, Carmel Mission Basilica and the Church in the Forest, Pebble Beach, and All Saints Church.
July 14th to 20th -- Comerica Challenger Tennis Championships
http://www.seascapesportsclub.com
Seascape Sports Club, 1506 Seascape Blvd, Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 688-1993. Annual week-long tennis tournament featuring expert players from around the world.
July 17th to 20th -- California Salinas Rodeo
http://www.carodeo.com
1034 N. Main Street, Salinas, CA 93902 (800)-771-8807 or (831) 775-3100. The California Rodeo Salinas promises edge-of-your-seat thrills for the entire family. Top pro competition in steer wrestling, bull riding, calf roping, are back bronco riding, and barrel racing. Enjoy parades, night shows and great food.
July 2008 -- Elkhorn Slough Safari
2661 Beach Road, Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 761-7744
Hosted by naturalist, Captain Yohn Gideon, this outing to view the wildlife of the Elkhorn Slough will be a trip to remember.
July 18th to 20th -- Red Bull U.S. Grand prix
http://www.laguna-scca.com
1021 Monterey-Salinas Highway Salinas, CA 93908 (831) 242-8201. Racing at its best. Operated by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula.
July 25th to 27th -- Gilroy Garlic Festival
http://www.gilroygarlicfestival.com
Gilroy, CA (408) 842-1625. Gourmet garlic food fair with arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, children's area, three stages of musical entertainment and 65 food booths
July 2008 -- Moss Landing Antique Fair
Downtown Moss Landing, CA (831) 633-4501 A community know for its many antique stores show their wares in the stores and on the streets.
July - August 2008 -- Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
http://www.cabrillomusic.org
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 420-5260 (Box Office). Hailed as the most distinguished ongoing festivals of New Music in the United States, celebrating it's 43rd season.
July -August 2008 -- Shakespeare Santa Cruz 2006 Season
http://www.shakespearesantacruz.org
UCSC Theater of Arts Center & Festival Grove Santa Cruz, CA (831) 459-2159 Nationally acclaimed festival. This year's season features "Twelfth Night", "The Winter's Tale", and "Engaged".
August 7th to 10th -- 27th Annual Steinbeck Festival
http://www.steinbeck.org
National Steinbeck Center, 1 Main Street Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 775-4737. Four days of films, speakers, panels, theater, and bus or walking tours, all celebrating Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck.
August 1st to 3rd -- 13th Annual Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival
http://www.watsonvillestrawberryfestival.com
Downtown, Watsonville, CA (831) 728-6183. Ripe strawberries take center stage at the weekend celebration featuring strawberry delights, foods, arts & crafts. 10 am-6 pm.
August 12th to 17th -- Monterey County Fair
http://www.montereycountyfair.com
Monterey County Fairgrounds Monterey, CA (831)372-5863. The County Fair is always fun for all, with livestock exhibitions, a wine-tasting booth, amusement midway and delicious foods, plus great live entertainment.
August 15th to 17th -– 35th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races
http://www.laguna-seca.com
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA (800) 327-SECA. The Monterey Historics brings out the best of racing's past from rare pre-war racers adorned with nameplates like Bugatti and Alfa-Romeo to 70sand80s cars from Lola and
McLaren. This year's featured marquee is Chaparral, part of an overall tribute to "Great American Specials" that is paying homage to American ingenuity in the early days of big-time motor racing.
August 17th -- Concourse d' Elegance
http://www.pebblebeachconcours.net
Pebble Beach, CA (831) 622-1700. This spectacular event exhibits some of the most unusual prewar and post war marques along with the latest in concept car designs, all in the beautiful setting of Pebble Beach. General Admission Tickets $125 in advance, $150 day of show.
2008 Fall Events
August 31st to September 3rd -- Capitola Begonia Festival
http://www.begoniafestival.com
Capitola Village Capitola, CA (831) 476-3566. 53rd annual event includes a Nautical Parade. Sand Sculptured Competition on Capitola Beach, Fishing Derby & more.
September 2007 -- 20th Annual Greek Festival
Monterey (831) 424-4434. An ethnic festival featuring authentic Greek food, live music, traditional dancing, a taverna and crafts.
September 8th and 9th -- 25th Annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival
http://www.capitolachamber.com
Capitola Village, Capitola, CA, (831) 475-6522. Art, wine, food and music. A magical way to say farewell to summer at the water's edge. 10 am-6 pm both days.
September 11th to 16th -- 112th Annual Santa Cruz County Fair
http://www.santacruzcountyfair.com
County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., off Hwy. 152, Watsonville, CA, (831) 724-5671. Six days of fun and festivities, including a large carnival. Safe, FUN and affordable.
September 21st to 23rd -- 50th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org
Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey, CA (925) 275-9255. Every year we ask: how can this longest-running jazz festival in the world get any hotter? And then the line-up of artists comes out, and we say: oh, that's how. In 2005, look for artists-in-residence Branford Marsalis and John Scofield, headliners like Tony Bennett, Sonny Rollins, the Pat Metheny Trio and Carla Bley Big Band featuring Steve Swallow, plus Lee Ritenour with Dave Grusin, Larry Carlton with Sapphire Blue, the Clifford Brown-Stan Getz All-Stars, and over 500 artists appearing on seven stages.
Wineries' Passport Program -- Summer/Fall 2007
http://www.scmwa.com
Various wineries in Santa Cruz County (831) 479-WINE (9463). A special opportunity to visit wineries that are not open to the public at other times. Meet the winemakers. 11 am-5 pm.
September 28th to 30th -- California International Air Show
http://www.salinasairshow.com
Salinas, CA (831) 754-1983. Prepare to be dazzled by fantastic flying exhibitions by high-flying jets and helicopters, aerobatics, skydiving, and much more.
October 2007 -- Open Studios Art Tour
http://www.ccscc.org
Various locations, Santa Cruz Countywide (831) 475-9600. Meet local artists in their studios, see the process & purchase art! Purchase of calendar required for admission. 11 am-6 pm.
October 13th -- Annual Monte Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza
http://www.monte-foundation.com
Seacliff State Beach, Aptos, CA (831) 685-3317. A wonderful family event featuring over 50 game and food booths, live entertainment and a fireworks display.
October 19th to 21st -- Monterey Sports Car Championships
http://www.laguna-seca.com
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA (800) 327-SECA. This great racing weekend includes a 4-hour main event which runs past dusk for true Le Mans style racing. The series features Le Mans prototypes and GT cars, many of which compete in the world-famous 24 Hours of LeMans.
2009 Winter Events
January TBA -- Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
http://www.nelsoncenter.com
Louden Nelson Center, 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA. Enjoy fabulous mushroom display, delicacies, month-watering cooking demonstrations, and bring mushroom for identification.
February TBA -- Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off
http://www.beachboardwalk.com
Locations: 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. A Santa Cruz tradition featuring "soup-er" recipes, wacky chefs, nautical decor, and teams competing for best-tasting Boston or Manhattan Chowders.
2009 Spring Events
Pajaro Dunes Association Spring Events
May 2009 -- Mother's Day Brunch at Dunes Hall 11:00 AM.
Reservations needed. (831) 761-7744
May 2009 -- Mexican Fiesta at Sandpiper Center 5:00 PM.
Reservations needed. (831) 761-7744
May 2009 -- Santa Cruz Film Festival
http://www.santacruzfilmfestival.com
Theaters throughout Santa Cruz. Call for details. (831) 459-7676. The nine-day festival provides eclectic film and music venues & educational panels and parties.
May 2009 -- 14th Annual Carmel Art Festival
http://www.carmelartfestival.org
Devendorf Park Carmel. CA (831) 642-2503. Gallery events, lectures, receptions and demonstrations at 43 art galleries and a Plain Air Painting competition. Outdoor art show featuring bronze, glass, stone, marbles and acrylic sculpture.
May 2009 -- Castroville Artichoke Festival
http://www.artichoke-festival.org
Castroville. CA(831) 633-2465. Sample the many unique flavors of the artichoke in ax atmosphere of pleasure, tasteful treats, musical entertainment, arts and crafts. Enter the AGRO-Art competition, too!
May 2009 -- U.S. Sports Car Invitational
1021 Monterey-Salinas Highway Salinas, CA 93908 (831) 242-8201.
Grand-Am Rolex Reserve, featuring whell to wheel and fender-bending action of more than 50 Daytona Prototypes and GT spoets cars.
May 2009 -- 44rd Annual Watsonville Fly-In & Air Show
http://www.watsonvilleflyin.org
Watsonville Airport Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 763-5600. The largest three-day aviation event in No. California with classic, home built, military and experimental aircraft, and more.
May 2009 -- Annual Civil War Battles and Encampment
http://www.roaringcamp.com
Roaring Camp Railroads Felton, CA (831) 335-4484. Visit encampments of Union & Confederate soldiers. See battles at one of the longest-running Civil War reenactments. 10 am-4 pm
May 2009 -- Santa Cruz Blues Festival
http://www.santacruzbluesfestival.com
Aptos Village Park Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 479-9814. 13th annual musical event with food, beer, wine. Fun for the entire family ix beautiful surroundings.
