Monarch madness to descend on Santa Cruz

Along with shore birds, migrating whales, seals, otters and tide pool life, Natural Bridges State Beach is graced by a eucalyptus grove where migrating monarch butterflies roost in fall and winter. Following the annual Welcome Back Monarchs Day festival, naturalist docents at the park will begin the season’s weekend tour series, leading visitors through the Monarch Grove while describing the incredible journey that brings as many as 100,000 monarchs to protected spots along the California coast.

Vitals: Festival, Oct. 11, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tours, Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 12-Jan.15, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Free; $10 parking fee. 2531 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz. (831) 423-4609, www.parks.ca.gov.

Zombie doomsday in Mendocino: The redwoods west of Willits will be infected by zombies in October, as the Skunk Train joins the Sacramento River Train and the Sierra Railroad Dinner Train in presenting “Evacuation,” the newest incarnation of the popular Zombie Train. In this revamped version, the living are losing the war with the undead, and railways are the survivors’ last hope of escape. Oct. 9-31, Fridays and Saturdays; schedules on website. $35 adults ($45 in adult-only car), $25 ages 2-12. (707) 964-6371 or (800) 866-1690. www.skunktrain.com/zombie.html.

Kitchen exhibitionism in Carmel Valley: Lucia, the new restaurant that emerged from Bernardus Lodge’s renovation last spring, will introduce its exhibition kitchen series of demonstrations and dinners in October. Three events scheduled for fall and winter take on themes of Garden to Table, drawing on Carmel Valley’s bounty; Briny and Bubbly, three seafood courses paired with California sparkling wines; and Edibles From the Wild, just in time to take advantage of mushroom season. Oct. 8, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. $150-$225. (831) 658-3400. www.ber narduslodge.com.