4 - San Pedro Bay Historical Society's Annual 4th of July Ice Cream Social, at the Muller House, 1542 Beacon St, San Pedro: ice cream, music, guest speaker, and spectacular fireworks (9 pm) over the Bay! Reservations $5 per person; check to SPBay HistSoc c/o Reddick, 3712 Almeria St, San Pedro CA 0731. Information 310.519.3613.

4 - Del Norte Co. Historical Society holds an "Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Homemade Pie & Cobbler Social!" 8:30 am-2 pm (if the pie holds out); hot coffee served. On the lawn of the Main Museum, 577 H St. at 6h, Crescent City.

10 - Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society's All-American Ice Cream Social, and 2010 Annual Membership & Awards Meeting, at the historic Dr. Willella Howe-Waffle House, 120 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana. Entertainment, guest speaker, Annual Preservation Award to Guy Ball (CCHS webmaster). Reservations $10, 714.547.9645.

12-16 - "Wild West Vaquero Camp" for kids 7-10 years old. Two one-week camp sessions, 9 am-2 pm daily; $125 per session; at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, 3596 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez. Campers may weave a basket; create a stamp of their own brand design; be introduced to cowboy poetry and to old-fashioned activities like square dancing, jacks, and kick-the-can; learn to braid a leather lariat and to rope like the vaqueros of yesteryear! Information, or to register: call 805.688.7889 or visit www.santaynezmuseum.org

17 - Country Music Festival & BBQ, honoring Jake Copass, at the Montanaro Farm & Store, Grand Ave, Los Olivos. 4:30 pm music and stagecoach rides; 6:30 pm dinner. 3 country music groups, barn dancing, Jake's poetry & humor, tour historic buildings, live/silent auction, wagon rides to Los Olivos! Ticket/donation $85 per person. Santa Ynez Valley HistSoc 805.688.7889

17 - "Mayor Fletcher Bowron" lecture by Tom Sitton, historian and author, a part of the 18th annual Marie Northrop Lecture Series. 2 pm in the Taper Auditorium of Riordan Central Library, 5th St between Grand Ave & Flower St, downtown Los Angeles. FREE. Los Angeles City Historical Society: 213.891.4600 or www.lacityhistory.org

29 - Bus trip to Kendall-Jackson Wine Center; depart 8 am from Valley Village Apts, 390 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara; return 5 pm. Reservations (& cancellations) 408.251.7887 M-F mornings; $61 per person. California Pioneers of Santa Clara Co.

 

16-20 - Regional Oral History Office Summer Institute, Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley. See bancroft.berkeley.edu/ROHO.

22 - Sonoma Co Hist Soc invites members and interested parties to take part in a visit, noon to 4 pm, to beautiful Glen Oaks, 13255 Sonoma Hwy, just south of Glen Ellen. Participants are asked to bring their own lunches and folding chairs (and portable tables if possible). Beverages will be provided. Tours of the house will be available. No charge.

22 - Quilt Show: quilts from the museum collection. Main Museum of the Del Norte Co. Historical Society, 577 H St. at 6th, Crescent City.

26 - San Francisco Moving Movie Tour: coach tour of movies made in and about SF; 80+ film clips (video screen on bus); drive by locations while the guide explains more about the film and the actors. Hosted lunch at Fog Harbor Fish House; choice of Mahi Mahi or steak. More touring after lunch, and stop at Mel's Drive-In for sundaes or milk shakes (included). Depart 8:45 am from Valley Village Apts, 390 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara; return 5 pm. Reservations (& cancellations) 408.251.7887 M-F mornings; $52 per person. California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.
 

21-24 - Lake Tahoe Adventure: 3 nights & 4 days. Stay at Embassy Suites (daily breakfast & cocktail hour). Narrated Lake cruise, gondola ride, drive around lake to Tallac Museum, Watson Cabin, Gatekeeper's Museum, and more. $505 each double occupancy; $150 single supplement. Reservations & info: Mike at 408.246.1080. California Pioneers of Santa Clara County

30 - Bus tour to Charles M Schultz Museum. Depart 8 am from Valley Village Apts, 390 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara; return 5 pm. Lunch at Warm Puppy Cafe at Snoopy's Home Ice in the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, choice of sandwich: turkey, tuna salad or BLT, w/fries & salad. After lunch tour Canine Companions for Independence and learn of their training and work with the handicapped.. Reservations (& cancellations) 408.251.7887 M-F mornings; $52 per person. California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.
 

3 - Spanish Day at the Rios-Caledonia Adobe, 700 Mission St (across from Mission San Miguel); 11 am-3 pm; FREE. Friends of the Adobes; 805.467.3357 or hermanjah@tcsn.net

9 - 4th Martinez Historical Home Tour. For information, visit www.martinezhistory.org

9 - Family History Day at the California State Archives, 1020 "O" St, Sacramento; 8:30 am to 4 pm. Over 20 classes from beginning genealogy to internet resources and specialized research topics such as preservation of family papers. Genealogical, historical and lineage societies, research libraries and archives will have displays and information. Admission FREE.

21-23 - "What's So Funny About History?" California Council for the Promotion of History 30th annual conference, in the Sierra foothill towns of Sonora, Jamestown and Columbia. Visit www.csus.edu/org/ccph for information.

22-30 - "Trains & Canyons of the Southwest:" Sedona, Sedona trolley tour, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Grand Canyon Railway, Sandia Peak Tramway. $2649 to Collette Vacations includes air San Jose-Phoenix, tour manager and guide tips. 9 days, 13 meals. Information: Mike 408.246.1080. California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.
 

23 - Strangers in a Strange Land: Immigrants Who Shaped Orange County, the annual historical cemetery tour from the Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society. Costumed actors share the stories of people who shaped a truly “international” Orange County. 714 547-9645, email: tour@sahps.org, or visit www.santaanahistory.com

23 - Candlelight Tour of the Rios-Caledonia Adobe (across from Mission San Miguel) - with ghost stories! 7-9 pm; FREE. Friends of the Adobes; 805.467.3357 or hermanjah@tcsn.net