Beeline Blooms: You-Pick Dahlias
Beeline Blooms 220 Stephens Ln, Ben Lomond, CA, United StatesGo for a walk amongst the dahlias, take pictures and enjoy the beauty that has risen from the ashes of the CZU wildfire. Bring your own or purchase a quart jar for the ability to purchase dahlias you pick yourself. Farming is way more fun with friends! No dogs please.
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesIn late July and early August each year, audiences are joined by both preeminent and emerging composers, spectacular guest artists, and an orchestra of dedicated professional musicians from across the globe to give voice to works which are rarely more than a year or two old, and sometimes still wet on the page. The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, even at a seasoned 60 years old, is all about the new—the here and now of contemporary works for orchestra. To quote Financial Times music critic Allan Ulrich, “…in the surf mecca of Santa Cruz, 75 miles south of San Francisco, the Cabrillo Festival has made the contemporary repertoire sound urgent, indispensable and even sexy.”
Gizdich Ranch: Olallieberry U-Pick
Gizdich Ranch 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA, United StatesPlants are notoriously unreliable for sharing their arrival and departure itinerary, so please call the ranch in advance before you go! Experience the most fun part of growing fruits at the Ranch! Combined with fresh air, sunshine and a little sweat, it’s a whole lot of fun for the kids and the entire family. Don’t forget your camera. When everyone’s ready for lunch, picnic behind their sales barn and let the kids play.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour
Younger Lagoon Reserve 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThis 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.
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United StatesTravel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
Slime Week at the Museum of Discovery
Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery 1855 41st Avenue, Suite C10, Capitola, CA, United StatesKick off your summer and get ready for a week of gooey, glorious fun at the Children's Museum of Discovery's 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 our take-home Slime Bar.
UCSC: Farmstand
Cowell Ranch Hay Barn 1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThe Center for Agroecology Farmstand is open to all and features organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers grown at the UCSC Farm and Chadwick Garden. Find the Farmstand at the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn near the base of campus every Thursday from 12:30-6pm, beginning June 20 and continuing through September 26, 2024.
Junction Park: Free Music in the Park
Junction Park 13264 Middleton Avenue, Boulder Creek, CA, United StatesJust one block from Downtown Boulder Creek is beautiful Junction Park, named for the junction of Boulder Creek and the San Lorenzo River. This summer, you will be able to enjoy free music concerts every Thursday here. Dinner and drinks will be available for purchase or bring your own picnic to enjoy! June 13: Flypaper Blues June 20: Love Creek June 27: Drew & Elie (International) July 11: Jim Lewin & Diana Z July 18: Love Creek July 25: Swag Tones August 1: Tyler Diamond
Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi
Santa Cruz Harbor 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThe free, inner-harbor water taxi operates between 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM, on summer weekends and holidays. In addition to weekend service, the water taxi will operate on Thursday evenings during the Crow’s Nest beach barbecues from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Passengers may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: X1 Gate (northeast harbor) AA Dock (southwest harbor) Launch Ramp (southeast harbor) Please visit the Port District’s website to view the map for all water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations in the harbor. Visitor parking is available for water taxi passengers in the north harbor near X Dock.
Crow’s Nest: Thursday Night Beach Parties
The Crow’s Nest Restaurant 2218 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesEach Summer on Thursday evenings, the Crow’s Nest offers its Summer Beach Party series with fun and funky live entertainment right on the beach. The party starts at 5:30 pm each week and goes until sunset. With live entertainment on the outdoor beach stage and Crow’s Nest’s famous BBQ and outdoor bar, beach parties are a unique and popular event. Families are welcome, and there is no admission charge! After the sun sets the fun begins upstairs with dancing to the best of local live bands beginning at 8:30 pm with only a $5 cover charge. May 23, 2024: Sambada (Brazilian Rhythms) / Fuse (Funk, Soul and Rock & Roll) May 30, 2024: Harry & The Hitmen (Classic Motown and Soul) / Burnin Vernon (Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz and Blues) June 6, 2024: Izzy & The Haze (Contemporary Pop, R&B, Hip Hop)/Big Bad Wolf (Blues, Grunge, Folk) June 13, 2024: The Cruzers (Folk, Pop, R&B) / Fire Peach (90’s Rock Covers) June 20, 2024: Jive Machine (Old-School Funk, Progress) / Locomotive Breath (Progressive Rock, Hard Rock, Blues Rock) June 27, 2024: Extra Large (High Energy Dance Band) / Hall Pass (Indie Rock) NO BBQ BEACH PARTY 4th OF JULY July 11, 2024: The Lost Boys (70s and 80s Party Rock) / Velvet Jones (Funk, Soul, Rock) July 18, 2024: Fishhook (Classic Rock) / Cake by the Ocean (Pop, R&B, Dance, Disco-Funk) July 25, 2024: The Messengers (Funk, Soul, Groove) / Afrohilife (Tropical Fusion-Funk Dance Music) August 1, 2024: Houserockers (Rock, Funk, Blues, 60s Soul, R&B, Swing) / John Michael Band (Funk, Soul, Reggae, Blues, 90’s Rock) August 8, 2024: The Joint Chiefs (Funk, Acid Jazz, Classic R&B) / Rusty Rock N Roll (Classic Rock Covers) August 15, 2014: The Dylan Rose Band (Rock & Roll) / Anthony Arya Band (Americana Rock) August 22, 2014: Sambada (Samba, Reggae, Funk) / Sweet Voodoo (Mashup covers of Classic Rock, Funk and Soul)
Cabrillo College: In The Heights
Cabrillo College Crocker Theater 6500 Perimeter Dr., Aptos, CA, United StatesThe musical, In the Heights, tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures. Where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.
Gizdich Ranch: Olallieberry U-Pick
Gizdich Ranch 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA, United StatesPlants are notoriously unreliable for sharing their arrival and departure itinerary, so please call the ranch in advance before you go! Experience the most fun part of growing fruits at the Ranch! Combined with fresh air, sunshine and a little sweat, it’s a whole lot of fun for the kids and the entire family. Don’t forget your camera. When everyone’s ready for lunch, picnic behind their sales barn and let the kids play.
Noble Harvest Farm: Lavender U-Pick
Noble Harvest Farm 1975 Cox Rd, Aptos, CA, United StatesCheck the Noble Harvest website to schedule a visit Fridays through Sundays at their boutique lavender field when its in full bloom and harvest your own bunches. Spend time snapping pix surrounded by the sweet scent of lavender and the gentle hum of bees. Feel free to bring snacks and relax under the sun sails, then browse their hand-crafted lavender products at their farm stand. Flowers are notorious for not sharing their itinerary, so check the link listed below frequently to secure your spot. Tickets will be limited, so you don’t want to miss out!
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United StatesTravel over trestles, through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain as conductors narrate the history of Roaring Camp, the railroad and the forest.
Big Basin State Park: 2-Day Guided Car Camping Excursions
Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United StatesEnjoy the very first public camping opportunity in Big Basin Redwoods State Park since the 2020 CZU fire! This car camping weekend will allow you to venture out on day hikes without all the gear in tow, a great option for folks of all skill and camping experience levels. Evenings will feature community, conversation and games, and special guests will join us to discuss the past, present, and future of the park! As such this 2-night, 3-day adventure is family-friendly, allowing youth aged 11 and up to join with a parent or adult family member. The CA park system is even offering a discount for all youth aged 11-17 at just $100 each (adult price $200 each)! Parents please give them a call at 831-291-8273 to reserve your child’s spaces or visit www.parks.ca.gov/backpacking for more information. Don’t miss your chance to join Big Basin’s first camping comeback since 2020!