Family Friendly - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Mon, Jun. 29

Hosted Board Game Night

Hosted Mic'd Board Games 5 - 8 Trivia 8 - 10 The Game Night Collective is a Santa Cruz-based board game community that creates welcoming, hosted tabletop events where people can discover new games, meet new friends, and enjoy structured game nights without needing prior experience. Unlike a typical board game meetup where players are expected to know games or…

The Cruz Room, Santa Cruz

Sat, Jul. 4

Firecracker Run

America turns 250 — and Santa Cruz runs! Join us for one of the county’s most beloved Fourth of July traditions, the Firecracker Run. The legendary 10K features the notorious “Thrill of the Hill” through Pogonip’s redwoods. The flat, fast 5K is perfect for families and fully ADA/wheelchair accessible. The 1K Kids’ Dash kicks off the morning for our youngest…

Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz, CA

Sat, Jul. 11

Agricultural History Project

Bring your friends, family and neighbors and come out to enjoy good old-fashioned activities such as spinning wool, cheese making, wooden cow milking and ice cream making! You can even drive a tractor and go on a hayride. Local Santa Cruz County 4-H clubs will be hosting their Annual Spring Fair. This action-packed day is admission free, and donations are…

Agricultural History Project Center and Museum, Watsonville, CA

Sun, Jul. 12

Free Archery Lessons

Go learn about the Santa Cruz Archery Range and archery in general at this event. This free opportunity includes two sections for lessons! Preregister to save your spot in the link in the orange button above. This is limited to 15 participants at each lesson. Walk-ins are welcome but space is limited. Santa Cruz Archers has been around since 1968…

DeLavega Park, Santa Cruz

Mon, Jul. 13

Hosted Board Game Night

The Game Night Collective provides a curated experience. Every Monday night with a library of 30+ board games, guided game teaching, hosted featured games, and prizes! Whether you arrive alone or with a group, the goal is to make it easy to sit down and start playing. Hosted mic’d board games 5 – 8 Trivia 8 – 10

The Cruz Room, Santa Cruz

Tue, Jul. 14

Board Game Playtesting

Come to Peoples Coffee, the official Santa Cruz location for the Southmost events for the Golden Gate Gamemakers! Come join us as a branch under GGG known as Game Designers of Santa Cruz! It's a relaxed chance to try new board games and card games, get feedback on your own prototypes if you are a game designer, and get advice…

Peoples Coffee, Santa Cruz, CA

Wed, Jul. 15

Jurrasic Jungle Book – A Three Hour Tour

Little People's Repertory Theatre Presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour Little People's Repertory Theatre (LPRT) presents Jurassic Jungle Book: A Three-Hour Tour, an original rock musical by Jannine Chadwick, Directed by Daria Elise Troxell, Musical Direction Gabe House. During a sightseeing boat tour, seven passengers become castaways when their boat is shipwrecked on a tropical jungle island. The island…

Park Hall Ben Lomond, Ben Lomond

Fri, Jul. 17

Gateway School’s July Jamboree

Join Gateway School for our July Jamboree! Field games, gladiator battles, water play, arts, crafts, games, and more! Izzy's icees and tacos. Free community event. All are welcome to join the fun!

Gateway School, Santa Cruz

Mon, Jul. 20

Hosted Board Game Night

The Cruz Room, Santa Cruz

Sat, Aug. 1

La Selva Beach Summer Fair

Craft booths, books, local beers, live music! Fifty craft vendors will sell jewelry, art, bags, pottery, garden art, specialty foods, soaps, clothing, books and more. Library Friends Used Book Sale will fill the courtyard with books for all ages and interests. Bake Sale and Prize Raffle of vendor donated crafts hosted by Library's Advisory Council of Teens. Sip local microbrews…

La Selva Beach Clubhouse, La Selva Beach, CA

Sun, Aug. 2

2026 Cabrillo Festival

Led by Conductor-in-Residence Octavio Más-Arocas, the beloved free Family Concert features Paul Dooley‘s The Conductor’s Spellbook, an interactive musical adventure introducing audiences of all ages to the orchestra through playful storytelling, alongside Gala Flagello‘s vibrant fanfare Bravado. A “Tour of the Orchestra” invites curious minds of all ages to explore the instruments that bring the music to life. In a…

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA