BIXBY OCEAN RANCH HIKE 5/25, 9am. The Big Sur Land Trust is hosting a tour of this amazing property, which has been closed to the public for years. Meet in the Big Sur Land Trust parking lot at 3785 Via Nona Marie in Carmel. No pets allowed. Free for members and $10 for non-members. Contact Stacy at 625-5523.

LOVERS POINT WALKS 5/28, 2pm. This hike near picturesque Lovers Point is free of charge and leaves from behind the snack shop at Lovers Point on the Recreation Trail, Pacific Grove. Every Tuesday & Thursday.

POINT SUR LIGHTSTATION WALKING TOURS 5/29, 10am & 2pm. Come toward the light! The tours range from $2 to $5. The tour leaves from Point Sur Lightstation, located 19 miles south of Carmel, every Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sundays at 10am. Sunset/moonlight tours available. Advanced reservations recommended. 625-4419.

june

ELKHORN SLOUGH FOUNDATION TRAIL WALK 6/1, 10am & 1pm. Guided tours through the slough''s wetlands, featuring seasonal bird migrations and a great mixture of plants. $2.50. Leaves from Elkhorn Slough every Sat. and Sun. at 10am & 1pm. 728-5939.

FORT ORD HABITAT RESTORATION CELEBRATION 6/1, 11am. Anyone who appreciates or has been involved in the restoration efforts by the Bureau of Land Management and Return of the Natives will enjoy this celebration. There will be food, music, a symbolic planting event, a tour of restoration sites, and recognition offered during the event. For more information contact the BLM Fort Ord office at 394-8314.

AUSA STILWELL CHAPTER ARMY BIRTHDAY RUN 6/8. This is a 5k run/walk and a 10k run along a hilly route on paved roads with scenic views of the Monterey Bay. The event starts at the Museum Field on the lower part of the Presidio of Monterey, Defense Language Institute. Pre -registration fee before June 3, 2002 is $15 for active military, $18 for DoD employees and $20 for all others. For information call Susan Kastner at 384-4777 or Julie Webster at 649-1414 ext 117.

EARTHQUAKE COUNTRY BIKE RIDE 6/8. Enjoy this 20-, 40- or 100-mile family ride through San Benito County''s rolling cattle ranches and well-kept vineyards. Snacks, juice and rest stops provided. For more information contact the San Benito Chapter of the American Red Cross (831) 636-2100 or look on the web at www.earthquakeride.com.

OVERNIGHT TRIP TO PICACHO CREEK 6/8-9. Join the California Native Plant Society for an overnight trip in a beautiful area with lots of unusual plants. Free. RSVP by June 3rd by calling Bruce at 384-1376.

22ND ANNUAL SUNSHINE FREESTYLE SURFABOUT 6/8-9. Heats begin at 7am. This good-natured two-day event includes competitions in surfing, bodyboarding, skimboarding, long-distance paddling and paddling. Cutoff to sign up is June 6. A soul-surfing party. Carmel Beach, Carmel. 375-5015.

POINT LOBOS RANCH HIKE 6/9, 9am. The Big Sur Land Trust hosts a tour of this future state park. The hike starts off with a mellow stroll along the San Jose Creek featuring majestic redwoods and wildflowers. The fitness-minded may continue on up to Michael''s Hill. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Big Sur Land Trust parking lot at 3785 Via Nona Marie. No pets allowed. Free for members and $10 for non-members. Contact Stacy at 625-5523.

53RD ANNUAL MONTEREY CITY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 6/14 to 6/16. Defending champion Darryl Donovan fights off the rest of the field during this three-round event. The tournament takes place at Del Monte Golf Course. 373-2700.

CALIFORNIA GOLF ASSOCIATION STATE AMATEUR COMPETITION 6/17 to 6/22. Watch as 45 of the best amateur golfers from northern and southern California go head-to-head at two of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. The event is held at Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay. The final round on Sunday will be a 36-hole match t at Pebble Beach. 625-8557.

RACE AGAINST CANCER WALK AND RUN 6/15. This fundraising event takes place along the Recreation Trail, which passes through the historic Monterey Custom House, Fisherman''s Wharf, Otter Cove, and Cannery Row before turning back near the Monterey Bay Aquarium. $25. Check-in time is 9-10:15 am. For more information call 444-8289 or see www.raceagainstcancer.com.

july

13TH ANNUAL MONTEREY BAY SUMMER CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT 7/26, 11:30 am. Join family, friends, and neighbors for a round of golf and support your local Girl Scouts at the same time. The fee includes lunch, greens fees, driving range, cart, golf clinic, a cash prize for a hole-in-one on designated holes, and a gourmet dinner and awards banquet. Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel Valley. $180 per person ($58 is tax-deductible). For registration information call 1-800-624-4757.

HIKING See www.mbay.net/ ~cnps/ for field trips with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.

august

SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE 8/3. Choose from 100, 65, and 30-mile courses with ocean views, challenging climbs and technical descents. There''s a gourmet meal at the end of the ride. Location to be announced. $30 tickets if purchased by 7/27 and $40 on the day of the event. For more info call Jim Keenan, 728-5951.

MONTEREY SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES AND CELTIC FESTIVAL 8/3-4. This festival includes original events like pipe bands, Irish step dancing, Scottish athletic competitions and the famous Caber Toss. Monterey County Toro Park, Hwy 68. For event information see www.montereyscotgames.com.

september

BIG KAHUNA TRIATHLON 9/7 to 9/8. This is a long-distance course through Santa Cruz featuring a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. Santa Cruz Boardwalk, $155 entry fee if paid before April 30 and $170 if paid between May 1 and August 31. 477-0965.