Mission Hill: Santa Cruz Baroque Festival

Holy Cross Church 210 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Welcome to the 51st season of the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, a celebration of the rich tapestry of Baroque music.  This season will include enchanting performances led by our Artist-in-Residence, Jörg Reddin.  Maistro Reddin is a distinguished Baroque organist, vocalist, and conductor who holds J. S. Bach’s old job in Arnstadt, Germany. The season begins with Jörg Reddin’s North American debut!  Head to the Holy Cross Church on Mission Hill to see him play pipe organ.  Dominic Favia, an expert on the baroque trumpet, will perform a solo.  You will also hear and Les Sacqueboutiers du Festival on sackbuts (Renaissance Trombones). Other Festival Dates: Sunday, January 21 – Organ and Brass Virtuosity in the time of Bach Saturday, February 3 – Love and Faith in the High Baroque Saturday, February 24 – Virtuoso Bach by Candlelight Saturday, March 9 – Bach and his Precursors Saturday, April 6 – V. J.S. Bach Solo Cello Suites Sunday, May 5 – Emerging Artist Showcase Sunday, May 12 – Music in the Garden Saturday, July 13 – Boomeria Organ & Brass Extravaganza

Gateway Middle School Information Night + Taco Party

Gateway School Santa Cruz 255 Swift Street, Santa Cruz

Come see why high schools love our graduates, and what makes the Gateway middle school experience like no other. Explore our classrooms, meet our teachers, learn about our curriculum, and most importantly, find out how we can help your child become their best self.

Wilder Ranch State Park – Birding Walk

On this 2.5 mile hike, be prepared to walk on uneven surfaces, with many stops to view the many birds, plants, and scenery along the way. You will help each other spot and identify birds! Bring your binoculars if you have them, clothes for variable weather, and good walking shoes.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.

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 bigbasin@ports-ca.us.Click here to Register

Natural Bridges Volunteer Tidepool training day 2 of 5

Natural Bridges State Beach is seeking volunteers to share the amazing and beautiful life of the rocky shore  with the public in the visitor center and outside in the tidepools. Help us lead school programs and discover the many ways you can help at the park.  Come join our Natural Bridges docent team by attending our 5 week long tidepool training session. Training is every Saturday January 20th -February 17th .(Saturday February 10th will be our Migration Festival.) Sign up here

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Redwood Tour

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

Coast 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!

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Invasive Plant Removal

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

oin one of our workdays to help out and make a difference restoring habitat and maintaining your park! Workdays include Native Plant Garden, Watershed Restoration, Invasive Plant Removal, and Fuel Reduction Workdays. Specific descriptions, meeting locations, times and announcements are listed on the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park webpage, under "Park Events."RSVP for this workday here.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Tree ID Hike

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

Learning about different tree species? How in-tree-guing! During this 1 mile walk, we'll be chattin' about a handful of trees that reside in the park, and giving you the tools you need to identify species during your future park visits. Beleaf us, it'll be a great time! Click here to RSVP.This free program will meet in front of the Visitor Center and meander down River Trail and saunter back through the Redwood Grove. Hard rain cancels! Hope to see you there!

Half Moon Bay – Guided Walk at Burleigh Murray Ranch

Join State Park Docents on a leisurely two-hour walk. Take a journey back in time along Mills Creek at Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park. This walk will be a 2.5 miles round trip hike with only a small gain in elevation. Along the way you will learn about the lives of early pioneers and farming families who first settled here in the 19th century.  Enjoy one of our area’s hidden treasures. Meet in the parking lot. For more information, call (650) 726-8814.Click here to make your reservation today!

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Redwood Loop Tour

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

Coast 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!

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park – Adobe Guided Tour

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park 144 School St., Santa Cruz

Join us for a guided tour through Santa Cruz’s oldest building, the only remaining example of indigenous housing from the California Missions. Learn about the daily life of people who lived here, and ways in which the Spanish Mission system drastically impacted local native people’s culture and landscape. This is a FREE event open to the public, no reservations required. Call (831) 425-5849 for more information.  

Monarch School Prospective Family Meeting

Branciforte Small Schools Library 840 N. Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz

Join us for a 2024 Perspective Families Meeting to learn about our unique school that offers whole school thematic curriculum emphasizing social and environmental justice, family involvement in K-5 classrooms and monthly field trips related to the school-wide themes. We provide project-based learning, narrative evaluations, & student-led conferences as opportunities for authentic assessment. Positive Discipline and Restorative Justice guide behavioral supports and social/emotional learning. Monarch Community School, a free, public elementary school serving 125 kindergarten through 5th grade students in five mixed age classes. Enrollment at Monarch is by lottery, come find out how to secure your chance to be a part of this unique learning community. When: Thursday, January 25 or Monday, January 29 , 6:30pm – 8:00pm Where: Branciforte Small Schools Campus Library: 840 N. Branciforte Ave, Santa Cruz, CA For more information call (831) 429-3898 x55208 Email us at sarahferreira@sccs.net Or visit our website: www.monarch.santacruz.k12.ca.us

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. 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.

Homeschool Day at the Seymour Center

Seymour Marine Discovery Center 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Homeschool Day at the Seymour Center Friday, February 2, 10 AM – 12:30 PM Receive $1 off each admission when you RSVP. Spark your curiosity and inner scientist at homeschool day––a morning of special activities designed for families. Kids discover the fascinating world of ocean science and how it helps protect nature and spur local solutions. Special programming from 10 AM-12:30 PM • Hands-on lab investigations • Live marine creature explorations • Microscopes • Crafts • Behind-the-scenes tours • Scenic outdoor trails Activities included with Seymour Center admission. Members are always free! Info and RSVP at https://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu/calendar_event/homeschool-day-seymour-center/