4th of July Street Fair, Jul 4. Booths will offer handmade arts and crafts and food from local restaurants, while live entertainment, a children’s parade and children’s activities bring a festive atmosphere to the event. Hours: 10am-5pm. Admission is free.
For information on Ventura events:
805-654-7830
805-648-2075

THOUSAND OAKS
Cal Lutheran University
Events:Scandinavian Festival, Apr 19-20. The singing of national anthems, folk music and dancing follow the colorful opening parade of flag bearers and Scandinavian dignitaries. The festival features the countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. In keeping with the festival tradition, the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will also participate. Admission: $3-$5.
www.callutheran.edu/scanfest
Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival 2008, weekends Jun 27-Aug 3. The festival grounds open at 5:30pm for picnicking and pre-show entertainment with musicians, dancing, juggling and sword-fighting demonstrations. No performance on July 4. Admission: $15. Location: Kingsmen Park, Cal Lutheran University.
805-493-3455
www.kingsmenshakespeare.org

SAN LUIS OBISPO
Roll Out the Barrels, May 1-4. Festivities kick-off with Barrels in the Plaza – a wine and food tasting in Mission Plaza, featuring wine tasting straight from the barrel. Tickets: $25-$50.
805-541-5868
www.slowine.com

SAN SIMEON
Hearst Castle® Evening Tour, Mar 1-May 30. On most Friday and Saturday evenings during this period, Hearst Castle features the docents in elegant vintage clothing; they recreate the social life of Mr. Hearst’s guests, lounging by the magnificent Neptune Pool or playing cards in the Assembly Room. Other docents portray household staff attending to the needs of Mr. Hearst’s guests. Evening Tour prices: $15-$30.
800-444-4445
www.HearstCastle.com

CAMBRIA
Garden Workshops at Cambria Pines Lodge and Nursery. Throughout the year, various free weekend demonstrations are offered at the showcase gardens of Cambria Nursery and Florist, located at Cambria Pines Lodge. In addition to free weekend demonstrations, there are fee-based workshops, including:
Living Birdhouse, May 3. Take home a stunning piece of living art.
Terracotta Birdbath, Jun 7. Attract birds to your garden with this charming, rustic birdbath.

Hanging Kitchen Garden, Jul 5. Wonderful herbs are combined in a
rustic hanging basket. Fees: $89-$179. Location: 2801 Eton Drive.
805-927-4747
800-414-6915

PISMO BEACH
The Pismo Beach Classic, Jun 20-22. More than 800 of the ‘coolest’ cars around will be on display in downtown Pismo Beach and the pier for what is considered one of the largest classic car and street rod shows on the West Coast. Highlights include Hot Rod Bar & Grill, Friday Night Cruise, Sock Hop, wine tasting, food, and entertainment.
866-450-7469
www.ThePismoBeachClassic.com

MONTEREY
Monterey Bay Aquarium Events: Splash Zone: Ocean Homes, ongoing. The renovated and expanded galleries explore three ocean habitats, the Enchanted Kelp Forest, Coral Reef Kingdom and Rugged Rocky Shore and the bustle of life within each.

Dia Del Niño, Apr 27. The Monterey Bay Aquarium celebrates children and families with an activity-packed day, filled with family arts and crafts projects, special activities and Latin American musical performances throughout the aquarium. Children 12 and under will be admitted free all day!

Sailing Adventures: Day Sails.
In these exclusive programs you’ll spend three hours getting hands-on experience and learn how marine biologists study the life of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.Sailing Adventures: Sunset Sails. Starting in early May, visitors can join aquarium naturalists for a great evening of natural history and ocean wildlife.

PASO ROBLES
Events:
16th Annual Hospice du Rhone, May 1-3. A one-of-a-kind barrel auction, wine tasting, specialized seminars, dine around, and one outrageous bowling tournament. Event costs range from $795 for the all-inclusive weekend package to $100 for individual luncheons, auctions and tastings.
805-784-9543
www.hospicedurhone.com

26th Annual Wine Festival, May 16-18. The largest outdoor wine tasting in California takes place on May 17 in the city park in downtown Paso Robles. Tickets: $55-$125.
805-239-8463
www.pasowine.com

OXNARD
Events:
California Strawberry Festival, May 17-18. Hailed as one of the nation’s most popular weekend celebrations, the Festival features live concerts, an award-winning fine arts and crafts show. Hours: Sat from 10am-7pm; Sun from 10am-6pm. Admission: $5-$12. Location: Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 S Rose Ave. Free shuttle bus.
888-288-9242
www.strawberry-fest.org

Summer Concerts at Historic Heritage Square, Fridays Jun 13-Aug 15. The Summer Concert Series offers free lawn seating. Heritage Square, 715 S. “A” St, is comprised of a group of 1800s era Victorian houses. Hours: 6pm-8pm. 
805-483-7960
www.visitoxnard.com

Monterey State Historic
Park Events:
Cooper-Molera Historic Garden Plant Sale, May 17. Experience the 19th century ambience in two acres of “secret” gardens. This is the only time during the year to purchase plants grown from cuttings and seeds in the Cooper historic garden, a pre-1865 period garden. Hours: 9am-1pm. Location: Cooper-Molera Adobe, 525 Polk St.
831-649-7118
831-372-6410

4th of July Living History Day, Jul 4 at Cooper-Molera Adobe. Experience Monterey as it was in the 1840s. Activities include children’s old-
fashioned games, butter churning and cooking tortillas, rope making, blacksmithing and much more. Enjoy music and dance, too. Admission: $1-$2. Location: 525 Polk Street.
831-649-7118

MORRO BAY
Events:
Morro Bay Kite Festival, Apr 26-27. Colorful kites fill the sky over Tidelands Park, home of the popular pirate ship. Admission is free.
805-772-4467
www.morrobay.org

Morro Bay Art in the Park, Jul 4-6.
Paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry and more is offered at this
juried show. Free admission. 805-772-2504
www.MorroBayArtAssociation.org

ARROYO GRANDE
25th Annual Strawberry Festival, May 24-25. The festival includes live music, Strawberry Blonde contest, strawberry cooking contest, Strawberry Stampede walk/run, Strawberry Pancake breakfast, and kid’s carnival. Free admission. Hours: 10am-5pm.
805-473-2250
www.ArroyoGrandeVillage.org

LOMPOC
Events:
Spring Arts Festival, Apr 18-20. Location: Ryon Park.
805-735-8511
Mission Life Day, Apr 19, May 31. Location: La Purisima Mission. Hours: 11am-2pm.
805-733- 3713
Chocoholics Festival, Apr 26. Location: Grange Hall, 435 No. G St. Hours: 11am-2pm.

Lompoc Music Association Concert, Apr 27. Features Mike Pakaluk Trumpet and Jazz Combo. Location: Valley of the Flowers United Church of Christ, 3346 Constellation Rd. Time: 3pm.
805-736-8702

Wine Pairing on the Green, Apr 27. Enjoy food, wine, cool jazz, silent and open auctions. Location: 216 N Third St. Cost: $45 per person. Proceeds benefit the Lompoc Convalescent Care Center.
805-717-0883

Lompoc Valley Master Chorale Concert, May 2-3. Location: First United Methodist Church, 925 North F St. Tickets: $12.
805-736-4567

Purisima’s People Day, May 3. Location: La Purisima Mission.
Hours: 11am-2pm.
805-733-3713

Lompoc Valley Iris Society Iris Show, May 4. Location: Lompoc Library’s Grossman Gallery. Hours: 1pm-4pm. Set up and judging 10am-4pm the day before.
Village Days, Jun 21. Location: La Purisima Mission. Hours: 11am-2pm.
805-733-3713

56th Annual Lompoc Valley Flower Festival, Jun 25-29. Location: Ryon Park.
805-735-8511

86th Annual Alpha Club Flower Show, Jun 28-29. Location: Veterans Memorial Building.
For Lompoc area events info call
805-736-4567