What to do in Northern California May

Sunset, May, 2007

CAMINO

Visit an iris garden

This is the only time of the year that the general public can visit High Sierra Iris and Wedding Gardens, and it's not to be missed. Located in a community of specialty growers outside Placerville, Nancy and Mike Visman's color-saturated garden (normally open only for special events) is packed with blooming daylilies, roses, and--the star attraction--1,600 varieties of hybrid irises; 20,000 flowers in all. If you'd like to grow them yourself, Nancy's taking orders for late-summer shipments of rhizomes. She does all of the garden work herself. "It's a hobby and it's a labor of love," she says. 10-5 Tue-Sun or by appointment; peak bloom time varies; 3170 Hassler Rd.; www.weddingsnflowers.com or 530/642-1222.--JOANNA CORMAN

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LATON, STEVINSON, AND THORNTON

DISCOVER A FRIENDLIER WAY TO FIGHT In the Central Valley, the centuries-old tradition of the bullfight lives on in an updated, gentler form. The California Bullfights group's "bloodless bullfights," as they're called, include the familiar graceful duel between a lone matador or cavaleiro on horseback and a raging 800-pound bull. But, unlike matches in Spain and Mexico, these draw on a kindlier tradition from Portugal, which uses nonlethal spears that attach to the bull with Velcro fasteners. May features several festivals in the valley; when you go, don't miss the bifanas, delicious sliced pork sandwiches. May 14, 21, and 27-28; $20; www.californiabullfights.org

--RICHARD EHISEN

SACRAMENTO

CATCH A STELLAR VIEW Delta Seaplane Tours will have you wide-eyed within moments of takeoff. During the 50-minute Sacramento Basic tour you'll get watery splash-downs, narratives from pilot Jenni Martin about farming and fishing on the California Delta, and stories about the area's many small towns. Or go for the whole enchilada with the Ultimate Pilot Experience, which carries you 92 miles along the Sacramento River from Sacramento to San Francisco and includes an introductory flying lesson. From $250, reservations required; takes off from Sacramento Executive Airport, 6151 Freeport Blvd.; www.deltaseaplanetours.com or 877/378-3597.--BARBARA L. STEINBERG

SAN FRANCISCO

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO A NEW RAILWAY MUSEUM Across from the Ferry Building Plaza, the new San Francisco Railway Museum celebrates the vehicles that have carried city dwellers from here to there--from Gold Rush--era horse carriages to present-day hybrid electric buses. An interactive video display takes you on a 1906 cable car ride down Market Street (you'll learn what "south of the slot" meant to San Franciscans long ago), and exhibits commemorate the 50th anniversary of the "newest" cable car line, Powell-Hyde, and the truly new light-rail route T-Third Street. 10-6 Wed-Sun; free; 77 Steuart St.; www.streetcar.org or 415/974-1948.

--BEN DAVIDSON

SAN FRANCISCO

ROLL THROUGH THE CITY In 1989, a group of roller-skating renegades started cruising the San Francisco streets at night. Nearly two decades later, the spirited Midnight Rollers still lace up their skates every Friday for a relaxed loop that stops at some of the city's best attractions, including the Palace of Fine Arts, Pier 39, and Union Square--so leave the car at home and see the City by the Bay in a new way. Bring your own in-line or roller skates, helmet, and pads; wear bright clothing and blinking lights. Skaters should be able to skate uphill and stop downhill. 9 p.m. Fri (weather permitting), starting from the Ferry Building Plaza; free; www.cora.org or 415/752-1967.--ANNIE TUCKER

SAN JOSE

STRIKE IT CLASSY AT A REMODELED BOWLING ALLEY Bowling has gone upscale in San Jose's Blossom Hill neighborhood. What used to be Oakridge Lanes has been transformed into squeaky-clean 300 San Jose, a flashy zone with 50 lanes, a concierge, waiters delivering salads and pizzas lane-side, big-screen TVs, and lots of neon. And you don't have to prowl around for the right-size bowling ball anymore--attendants see to your custom fit upon arrival. 5420 Thornwood Dr.; www.300sanjose.com or 408/578-8500.

--GARY SINGH

SANTA CRUZ AREA

TOAST MARSHMALLOWS ON THE BEACH One of the few spots around Santa Cruz that allows beach fires (in provided rings), Twin Lakes State Beach is as sociable after sunset as it is during the day. The half-mile-long stretch of beach is at the opening of Schwann Lake. Bring along your s'mores fixin's and purchased firewood, and you've got the ingredients for a perfect evening. And as you await sunset, check out the lagoon, a refuge for wild birds. 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily; free; no alcohol permitted; East Cliff Dr. at Seventh Ave.; 831/429-2850.

--ELLA LAWRENCE