Reindeer Round-Up
Downtown Santa Cruz Pacific Avenue Between Water and Locust Streets, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesSanta has lost his reindeer, but you can help find them! Pick up a map at the Downtown Santa Cruz Information Kiosk or Pacific Cookie Company to find participating businesses, and then visit them all to search for the beautiful hidden reindeer. Find just 12 of the reindeer and return your map to the Info Kiosk for a small prize! Find all 28 and you'll be entered to win of our many grand prizes. FUN for the whole family.
Visits with Santa
Childish Toy Shop 1122 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CASanta is coming back to Santa Cruz and he can't wait to visit with you and hear all about the adventures you've had this year. And of course, he wants to hear your Christmas wishlist. Stop by to say hello to him at Childish on Pacific. 1122 Pacific Avenue Saturday, December 7 (after parade) 12-4PM Sunday, December 8, 12-4PM Saturday, December 14, 12-4PM Sunday, December 15, 12-4PM Friday, December 20, 12-4PM Saturday, December 21, 12-4PM Sunday, December 22, 12-4PM
Live Oak: Farmers Market
Live Oak Farmers’ Market 15th Street & East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesStarted in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.
Butano State Park – Guided Walk
Join a State Park Interpreter and enjoy the flora and fauna of Butano State Park on this moderate 2.5 mile loop. This hike features creekside riparian habitat, redwood forest, and oak woodlands. Hike includes a short section of steep terrain; trekking poles are encouraged.Meet at the Butano State Park Visitor Center. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.Remember to bring water as none is available in this park!Walk-ins welcome, pre-registration encouraged! Use this link to register.
Butano State Park – Guided Hike
Join a State Park Educator and enjoy the flora and fauna of Butano State Park on this moderate 2.2 mile loop. This hike features creekside riparian habitat, redwood forest, and oak woodlands. Keep your eyes peeled for banana slugs and newts! Where: Meet at the Visitor Center near the front entranceTime: 10:00amParking: Parking is located by visitor center. Additional parking is located at the picnic area further down Butano State Park Road. $10 vehicle day use fee applies. Preparation: Participants should wear sturdy shoes and a hat, and bring plenty of water & snacks. Hike includes some slippery downhill in the winter; trekking poles are encouraged. Steady rain will cancel. Note that there is no running water in this park, so bring plenty!Contact: [email protected] or (669)758-1819
Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve
Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, United StatesDocent-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.
Museum of Natural History: Intro to Plein Air Painting
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesGo outside and learn to paint gouache and watercolor landscapes while surrounded by nature as inspiration. This open-air art workshop will teach the techniques necessary to capture environmental perspectives through the creative use of negative space, layering, various stroke techniques, and more. Using the Museum’s exclusive access to various vistas as reference, participants will be guided through the basics of transferring the beauty of beaches and shorelines to canvas with step-by-step instruction. No prior experience required. Participants will have a completed art piece to take home at the conclusion of the workshop. Open to ages 16+/all experience levels. All supplies included.
Downtown Santa Cruz: Holiday Makers Market
Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market Pacific Ave and Lincoln St, Santa CruzVisit the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market featuring 40+ local makers & artists in beautiful Downtown Santa Cruz! Located on the 1100 block of Pacific Ave. between Cathcart and Lincoln Streets, this market hosts a wide range of locally handmade goods!
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 Redwoods State Park: A Guided Walk in the Woods
Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United StatesJoin a Volunteer Docent or State Park Interpretive Staff on a guided walk through the iconic Redwood Loop at Big Basin!This program is a 1 hour walk on a 0.6 mile, flat and easy trail designed for all ages. Learn about the natural and cultural history of Big Basin and how the forest is growing since the 2020 CZU Lightening Complex Fire. Each docent and staff person has their own niche and is excited to share their passion with you!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
Big Basin Redwoods State Park – Redwood Grove Guided Walk
Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United StatesJoin staff for a guided walk through the iconic Redwood Grove at Big Basin!This program is a 1 hour walk on a 0.6 mile, flat and easy trail designed for all ages. Learn about the natural and cultural history of Big Basin and how the forest is growing since the 2020 CZU Lightening Complex Fire.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
Natural Bridges State Beach: Monarch Butterfly Self Guided Tours
Natural Bridges State Beach 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesStroll through the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve and be on the lookout for every splash of orange on the walk! The monarch migration is variable, please check the website or contact the park at (831)423-0871 to find out the current population. To arrange a tour for groups of 10 or more, please visit www.thatsmypark.org. Events made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. Parking near the trail accessible entrance is $10.
Wilder Ranch Holidays on the Ranch
Celebrate the winter holidays as folks did in Victorian and early 20th Century Santa Cruz at Wilder Ranch State Park. Enjoy live caroling, sample Victorian-era holiday goodies, watch demonstrations in the blacksmith and machine shop, explore the historical houses, and make your very own wreath and candle. Rain Cancels. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (669) 758-1963 or email [email protected]. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.
Mount Hermon: Christmas Boutiques and Concerts
Mount Hermon Conference Center 37 Conference Dr, Felton, United StatesThis holiday, immerse yourself in the joy of the season with the annual Mount Hermon Christmas concerts, Buffet dinner (or Sunday lunch), and Christmas Craft Boutique. For the concert, Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass present hymn classics with a contemporary flair December 13-15. On December 20-21, The Blue Gospel Scripts will have a fabulous cast of narrators portray Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, telling the gospel story between musical numbers performed by A-list musicians and singers. Friday, December 13th: 1:30 – 7:30 PM Craft Boutique; 5:00 – 6:00 PM Buffet Dinner Seating; 7:30 PM Concert Saturday, December 14th and 21st: 1:30 – 7:30 PM Craft Boutique; 5:00 – 6:00 PM Buffet Dinner Seating; 7:30 PM Concert Sunday, December 15th: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Craft Boutique; 12:00 – 1:00 PM Buffet Lunch Seating; 2:30 PM Concert Friday, December 20th: 1:30 – 7:30 PM Craft Boutique; 5:00 – 6:00 PM Buffet Dinner Seating; 7:30 PM Concert Saturday, December 21st: 1:30 – 7:30 PM Craft Boutique; 5:00 – 6:00 PM Buffet Dinner Seating; 7:30 PM Concert
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Redwood Loop Tour
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United StatesCoast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed! Every Saturday at 12:00pm, we are taking folks on a guided walk through the Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest together. On this 1-mile stroll, we will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. Click here to RSVP. Let's plan to meet in the front of the Visitor Center, we hope you can join us!