Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Event Series Storybook Stroll

Storybook Stroll

Scotts Valley Branch Library 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA, United States

Take a fantastical stroll through an inspiring, imaginative world where anything can happen: leaves turn into fish, cats fly with wings, frogs eat rainbows, and dreams become visible. “If” is a visual feast that children and adults will enjoy on this year’s Storybook Stroll on the Scotts Valley Library's Patio.

Free

Bookshop Santa Cruz: More Than 80 Women Over 80

Bookshop Santa Cruz 1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz

Local contributors to the stories, poems, essays and more that were compiled by Dena Taylor and Wilma Marcus Chandler in When a Woman Tells the Truth, are inviting you to join in the celebration!  Hear some of the honesty, wisdom and humor that was on from the sadness, grief, adventure, romance, and activism that will be the greatest souvenir to bring home from Santa Cruz.

Free

Children’s Museum of Discovery: Slime Week

Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery 1855 41st Avenue, Suite C10, Capitola, CA, United States

Kick off your summer and get ready for a week of gooey, glorious fun at the Children’s Museum of Discovery Slime Week! Enter the Slime Lab and explore different textures, colors, and types of slime in a sensory experience you will never forget! Don’t want the fun to end? Work with our slimeologist to mix up a custom creation at their take-home Slime Bar. The MOD is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.  Slime Week is June 5-8, 2024 from 11am – 4pm.

$15

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Park Workday

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton, CA 95018, USA

This is a Fuel Reduction Workday, in which we manually clear fallen debris in select areas of the Redwood Grove, and by doing so, reduce the fuel load and restore old-growth habitat. Park staff will facilitate organizing this debris into brush piles. Participants should be prepared to help with a fair deal of manual labor.This workday will meet in front of the Visitor Center. If possible, please bring work gloves. Parks offers a limited supply. Click here to RSVP and be sure to cross reference the above details with the date of choice.

Castro Adobe Open House

184 Old Adobe Rd Watsonville, CA, United States

Rancho San Andres CastroAdobe State Historic ParkCastroAdobe Open House: Alta COWliforniaSaturday, June 8 from 10:30am to 3:30 pmHoly cow! As summerapproaches it’s time for the matanza! This annual slaughter of cattletook place in the summer and was extremely important in Alta California. Whywere cows so important? Californios like Juan Jose Castro made their wealth inthe cow hide and tallow trade, which produced goods like soap, candles, andeverything leather. Learn about the importance of the vacas in AltaCalifornia and how cows allowed the Castros to build their dream home we callthe Castro Adobe. Ninos, come to the kids’ table and learn how to make an adobebrick!  Listen to live music andenjoy our recently installed interpretive displays.  Reservations for a free 90-minute docent ledtour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669  NOTE:  Continuous rain will cancel event.                                   

Mission Plaza: Japanese Cultural Fair

Mission Plaza 103 Emmett Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

In 1879, only 4% of fruit and vegetable crops originated in Santa Cruz county.  Thirteen years later, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in Watsonville.  Just a couple decades later, Santa Cruz County was responsible for over half of the nations’ produce, largely thanks to the Japanese immigrant community! There’s so much more to the story and so much more to the culture.  You can experience it all at the annual Japanese Cultural Fair!  Enjoy culture, crafts, music, food and more. Free parking will be available at the Santa Cruz Government Center located in the designated parking area for the fair where you may access a free shuttle to the fair at the historical Mission Plaza.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Sandhills Guided Hike

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground, 2591 Graham Hill Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95060, USA

Hike around an ancient seafloor?! Yes please! On this 1.5 mile hike through the Santa Cruz Sandhills, we'll be meandering through sandy soils on the mountain top, about 800' above present-day sea level! Join us on June 8th at 9:00am to explore this beautiful landscape and learn about the rare and unique things that call it home. RSVP for this event here!We'll meet in the campground parking lot (located off Graham Hill Rd.). We hope to see you there! Hard rain cancels. 

Half Moon Bay State Beach – Junior Rangers

Francis Beach Amphitheater, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, USA

During this 1-hour program for ages 7 to 12, kids become Junior Rangers by participating in hands-on activities to earn prizes while learning how to protect the natural world! Activities vary from nature walks, to games, to nature-inspired crafts and are based on a different theme each week. Register in advance here. Walk-ins are welcome. Meet at the amphitheater at the north end of the campground.Program is free. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.

Half Moon Bay – Guided Walk at Gray Whale Cove

Join State Park Docents for a two-hour hike along the scenic Gray Whale Cove Trail at State Parks’ McNee Ranch at Montara.  Enjoy a moderate 2 mile hike overlooking the California coast.  From the trail you will be able to view evidence in the landscape of the Ocean Shore Railroad and bunkers left over from the World War II era. Enjoy the ocean views, the coastal plants, and the birds on this exciting hike. Meet on the north side of the Gray Whale Cove State Beach parking lot on Highway 1. If you have any questions or concerns please contact [email protected] or call (650) 726-8814.Click here to make your reservation today! 

Big Basin Redwoods State Park: Guided Walk – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United States

Come learn about the story of Big Basin: past, present, and future while wandering under the guardian old-growth redwoods that have seen it all! This program is a 1 hour walk on a 0.6 mile, flat and easy trail designed for all ages. We will be covering the cultural history of this unique area including Indigenous groups, loggers, and preservationists. Of course, we will also discuss natural history such as the amazing coast redwood and the CZU Lightning Complex Fire as well as the future of our park.Participation is free, however, a $10 vehicle day-use fee will be charged upon arrival, or you can reserve a parking spot by clicking here. Please plan to meet at the temporary visitor center area located next to the restrooms at 10:45 am. Bring your own water or purchase water from Parking Kiosk as there is no running water, electricity or cell service at Big Basin!For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact [email protected] here to Register

Rancho del Oso- Guided Walk

REGISTER HEREThank you for joining us at Rancho del Oso! We're excited to explore with you.We will depart at 11 am. Please meet us at the Nature and History Center. Depending on group preference, there are several routes available.-The Marsh Trail- This seasonally available trail is a 0.8 mile round trip out across Waddell Creek and to our Welcome Center and native plant garden at the base of the Skyline to the Sea Trail (currently closed). When ready, visitors can then either return to the Nature and History Center via the Marsh Trail or walk down to Waddell Beach and cross a short bridge on HWY 1. The bridge on HWY 1 is brief but has a narrow shoulder, some visitors including those with smaller children may prefer to return via the Marsh Trail.-The Hoover Loop Trail- This 0.7 trail gives excellent views of the Waddell Marsh, Waddell Beach, and the Pacific Ocean. A variety of coastal plants decorate the side of the trail, before you eventually rise into the recovering Monterey pine forest.-If time allows, naturalists are happy to lead groups onto both trails.If you have questions, you can call (831) 218-5750 or email [email protected] Note:Please dress in layers, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring binoculars, snacks, water, and sun protection. Please pack in your water as there is not potable water available in the park. With water, it’s a good idea to bring more than you think you need (1-3 liters recommended). There are pit toilets at Waddell Beach and the far side (Welcome Center/Skyline side) of the Marsh Trail, and then standard restrooms at the Nature and History Center.We look forward to connecting with you at Rancho del Oso!

Butano State Park – Junior Rangers

Butano State Park Visitor Center, 1500 Cloverdale Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060, USA

Discover the wonders of the natural world through activities, crafts, experiments, and nature walks! Each week will feature a nature journaling workshop as well as a unique activity. This program is for 7 - 12 year olds. Meet at the Butano State Park Visitor Center.For more information, call (669) 758-1819.Program is free. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.Remember to bring water as none is available in this park!

Wilder Ranch State Park – Guided Coastal Walk

On this 2.5 mile family friendly walk, we’ll explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Bring water, hat, closed toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Sign up here!Meet next to park map in Wilder Ranch main parking lot. Rain cancels. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Agricultural History Project

Agricultural History Project Center and Museum 2601 East Lake Avenue, Hwy 152, Watsonville, CA, United States

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 gladly accepted. It’s fun for the whole family!  Activities include: Farm Animals to see and pet Ice cream making the old-fashioned way Butter churning Fresh cheese making Rope making Hay wagon rides with tractors Wooden cow milking Hay cutting from real oats, wheat and barley Kids (real) tractor driving Puppet Show Old-fashioned hoops Crafts and so much more! 

Free

Soquel: Homesteaders Market

Soquel Creek Parking Lot 2505 S Main St, Soquel, United States

Enjoy locally grown produce, cottage industry foods, local meats, cheeses, ferments, natural products, homesteaders’ wares, arts and crafts, honey, candles, cloths, sweet treats, coffee and tea, health and wellness products, services and practitioners, healers, spiritual endeavors, plants, flowers, seeds and herbs, Jewelry, green living and up-cycled garage sale items! If that is not enough to tempt you, there will also be live music, food trucks, a gleaner’s table with free local produce, a seed share/seed bank and a homesteading class from noon to 1pm. Head to the parking lot of the Soquel Creek Animal Hospital parking lot directly across from Beer Thirty and Sunny Side Produce in Soquel.