Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Museum of Natural History: Spore Prints and Mushroom Painting

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Learn the basics of spore pressings and printings with step-by-step instruction by a master mushroom artist. Using spores, apply your mushroom observations to hue, composition, color theory, layering, and more. This class is perfect for aspiring artists or creative nature lovers with no prior experience, only a passion for the arts and sciences.  Mushrooms for reference will be provided by the artist, but participants are welcome to bring their own mushrooms as well. Participants will have two completed art pieces to take home at the conclusion of the workshop. Open to ages 16+/all experience levels. All supplies included. 

$45

Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve

Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, United States

Docent-led tours of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve are every Saturday AND Sunday, at 10 am and 11 am. Tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis – visitors may sign up at the Visitor Center front desk, or call ahead the morning of using the phone number (831) 728-2822. The Docent will craft a walk that meets the groups needs and abilities.

Free

East Glenwood Open Space: Guided Mushroom Walk

East Glenwood Open Space Preserve Tabor Drive 425, Scotts Valley, United States

Adventure through exclusive areas as you partake in a fungus exploration! Guided by a master mycologist, prepare to venture into the unknown as you scout for seasonal mushrooms. Open to ages 12+. Appropriate for all skill levels. There are three time slots to sign up for: 10am, 11:30am or 1pm.

$35

Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk

Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Pre-registration required at the link in the orange button above. Meet next to the park map in the main parking lot. Rain cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.

Free

Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve

Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, United States

Docent-led tours of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve are every Saturday AND Sunday, at 10 am and 11 am. Tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis – visitors may sign up at the Visitor Center front desk, or call ahead the morning of using the phone number (831) 728-2822. The Docent will craft a walk that meets the groups needs and abilities.

Free

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Guided Redwood Hike

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United States

Every Sunday at Noon      Experience a guided hike through an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 feet tall.  Connect one on one with park staff. During this adventure you will learn about redwood life, histories, ecology and more! The trail is flat, accessible, and just under one mile long. Meet at the park visitor center, rain or shine. This event is free, but the parking fee at all state parks for the day is $10.

Free

Museum of Natural History: Macrofungi Lecture

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Making maps of the distributions of organisms is one of the most fascinating topics in all of natural history. The theory of island biogeography serves as an ideal starting point in understanding broader patterns of how life travels from adaptation to extinction. How do fungi behave in comparison to other groups of organisms? In what ways do island-dwelling individuals differ from their mainland cousins? Go on an expedition to uncover the geographical mysteries of mushrooms!

$16

Museum of Natural History: Fluorescent Fungi Lecture

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Explore the brilliant world of bioluminescence. In this illuminating lecture, learn about the fluorescing fungi that glow under ultraviolet light, mushrooms that create their own light, even in complete darkness, and what in their DNA is coded for them to exhibit these beautiful characteristics. Using hundreds of high-quality photos, explore the mysterious world of bioluminescent and fluorescent fungi, and shine some light on the science of their unique DNA. 

$16

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival

Rio Theatre 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Join UC Santa Cruz Adventure Rec and the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2024-25, at the Rio Theatre on February 28, March 1 & 2. Each night features completely different films. Join us for one, two or three nights. Check out the nightly film lineups and secure your tickets today! The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world! Hot on the heels of the Festival that is held every fall in beautiful Banff, Alberta, the World Tour hits the road with the award winning and audience favorite films. With stops in over 40 countries across the globe, the Banff World Tour celebrates amazing achievements in outdoor storytelling and filmmaking worldwide. Traveling to remote vistas, analyzing environmental issues, and bringing audiences up-close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports the 2024/2025 World Tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the mountain world. Your attendance directly supports Adventure Rec programming, making outdoor adventures more accessible for hundreds of UC Santa Cruz students. Our goal is to again raise over $20,000, so we invite you to enjoy some fantastic films and help us open the outdoors to others.

$23.50 – $25.50

Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve

Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, United States

Docent-led tours of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve are every Saturday AND Sunday, at 10 am and 11 am. Tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis – visitors may sign up at the Visitor Center front desk, or call ahead the morning of using the phone number (831) 728-2822. The Docent will craft a walk that meets the groups needs and abilities.

Free

UCSC Arboretum: First Saturday Tours

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Around the World in 60-90 Minutes! The first Saturday of each month, the Arboretum offers a docent or staff-led tour of the Arboretum. Sometimes you will see New Zealand, South Africa, California, or Australia. Sometimes you might see combinations of several gardens, the developing World Conifer Collection, or Rare Fruit Garden. Tour length varies depending on what’s in bloom and what the participants request.  

Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Coastal Nature Walk

Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Pre-registration required at the link in the orange button above. Meet next to the park map in the main parking lot. Rain cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.

Free

Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve

Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, United States

Docent-led tours of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve are every Saturday AND Sunday, at 10 am and 11 am. Tours are on a first-come, first-serve basis – visitors may sign up at the Visitor Center front desk, or call ahead the morning of using the phone number (831) 728-2822. The Docent will craft a walk that meets the groups needs and abilities.

Free

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Guided Redwood Hike

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United States

Every Sunday at Noon      Experience a guided hike through an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 feet tall.  Connect one on one with park staff. During this adventure you will learn about redwood life, histories, ecology and more! The trail is flat, accessible, and just under one mile long. Meet at the park visitor center, rain or shine. This event is free, but the parking fee at all state parks for the day is $10.

Free

Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour

Younger Lagoon Reserve 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

This 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into Younger Lagoon Reserve adjacent to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Part of the University of California Natural Reserve System, Younger Lagoon Reserve contains diverse coastal habitats and is home to birds of prey, migrating sea birds, bobcats, and other wildlife. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitat, and learn about the workings of one of California’s rare coastal lagoons. A tour is offered on selected Thursdays and Saturdays of each month beginning at 10:30 AM. Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Advance reservations are highly recommended using the website link below. Tours are best suited for children 10 years of age and older. Participants must be physically able to walk up and down steep inclines. Water and weather protection is strongly suggested.