CRESTLINE - Chili Cook-Off in Crestline."Beat the Heat" ICS Sanctioned Chili Competition! at the Lake Gregory. Time: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Location: Ball Fields, Lake Gregory, CA. Contact: (909) 338-2706

DEL MAR - San Diego County Fair. Music Mania is the theme of the best annual event in San Diego.  Location: The Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA. Call: (858) 755-1161. sdfair.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Gondola Rides. Daylight or night cruises in the Huntington Harbour bay. Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Cost: $77/2 people. Location: Peter's Landing, Huntington Beach, CA.

LAGUNA BEACH - Art-A-Fair festival. 43rd annual art event located in a beautiful garden setting with 125 artists, plus live entertainment, fine food, demonstrations and workshops. The event runs through Aug. 31. Location: 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Calif. Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri. and Sat. until 10 p.m. Cost: Season pass $3.50 - $7; under 12 free. Call: (949) 494-451.  art-a-fair.com

LAGUNA BEACH - Sawdust Festival Begins.  The show offers a great opportunity for home decorating and gift shopping. Summer Art Festival runs daily through Aug. 30, 2009. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $3 - 7 (approx.) Annual pass sold for approx. $19. Location: 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Ca. Call: (949) 494-3030. sawdustartfestival.org

OXNARD - Oxnard Bill of Rights Tall Ship Cruises. Historic ship sets sail each weekend for a 3 hour cruise offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Cost: $45; age 55+ $40; $35 age 12 and under. Location: Marine Emporium Landing, Channel Islands Harbor, 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, CA. Call: Island Packers Cruises (805) 642-1393. islandpackers.com.

PISMO BEACH - Art in the Park @ Dinosaur Caves. Over 70 local artists and craftsmen exhibit and sell paintings, sculpture, pottery, glass artist, textile, jewelry, wood and metal furniture, and much more. Live music, hands-on children's activities, fresh flowers and plants, BBQ, and on-site massage offer a day of fun for all ages. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: Free admission. Location: Dinosaur Caves Park, Pismo Beach, CA. classiccalifornia.com

PLEASANTON - Alameda County Fair. Award-winning fair features top acts and wristband one fee for carnival rides. The theme in 2009 is "Come Out & Play", and you can play through July 19 (closed on Mondays).  Carmen Jara performs today. Fair time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $10; kids $6; parking: $8; Carnival wristband $20 approx. Location: Valley Ave. @ Bernal, Pleasanton, CA.  alamedacountyfair.com

SACRAMENTO - Carved Elegance: Woodies, Wheels, and Waves Car Exhibit.  Runs through September 19. California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front Street, Sacramento, CA. Hours: Daily from 10a.m. – 6 p.m. Extended hours on Thursdays from 6pm – 9pm through the Summer. Museum admission: $8 Adults, $7 Seniors, $4 Students, children under 5 free. For more information, call (916) 442-6802.  calautomuseum.org.

SAN FRANCISCO - Angel Island After the Fire Hike. Docent led tour takes you by the areas where a fire destroyed plants and trees, and will show how it is recovering.  Learn about the historic sites and impact on vegetation and the BayWood Artists. The hike is about 6 miles. Take the earliest ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon and meet at 10:30 at the Island gift shop. Return on the last ferry. Bring hiking shoes, layered clothing, water, lunch, camera, and binoculars. Group size limited. Call (415) 435-3522 for reservations. $5 fee goes to the state park. angelisland.org

SUNOL - Historic Train Rides. Depart from Sunol depot and travel part of the historic route of the first transcontinental railroad. Departure times: 10:30 a.m.; Noon; 1:30 and 3 p.m. Cost: $10. Location: Sunol Station, 6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol, CA Call: (925) 862-9063. ncry.org