Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

Santa Cruz Harbor 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The 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. 

Free

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!

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Redwood Loop Tour

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

Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed! Every Saturday and Sunday 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!

Brookdale Lodge: Father’s Day Celebration

Brookdale Lodge 11570 Hwy 9, Brookdale, CA, United States

Treat Dad to a trip to the Redwoods, and stop at Brookdale Lodge to hear Redwood Grove, an exciting genre-jumping band forged from the Redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Esperanza Community Farm: Organic Farming Festival

Esperanza Community Farm Lee Road, Watsonville, United States

Do not forget to bring Dad to this festival on Father’s Day!  There will be surprises here for him.  But, when you leave, just tell him that this is the annual Dia de Esperanza Festival to celebrate and promote the richness of organic culture.  There will be an organic market, a Kidzone with fun activities, art, food vendors and live performances from Diana Gameros and Ozokidz!  There is no cost to attend but do follow the link below to register and save a spot for free. 

Free

Wilder Ranch State Park – Ranch History Tour

Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Want to learn about the rich dairy history of Wilder Ranch State Park? Dreamt of peeking inside our beautiful Victorian homes and barns? Join us weekly on Saturdays and Sundays for a 1.5 hour long tour of the historic buildings of Wilder Ranch! Meet at the visitor's center at 1 pm. Pre-register here or join us on the day-of. This tour is free. Parking in Day-use lot is $10. Questions? Call (831)426-0505 or email wilderranch@ports-ca.us

Butano State Park Guided Walk

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

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.

Shadowbrook: Father’s Day

Shadowbrook Restaurant 1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA, United States

Treat dad to great food with some of the best views in the county!  The Rock Room Bar & Lounge is open from noon to 10pm, and dinner is served from 2 to 8:45pm.  Call 831-475-1511 to make reservations, or book through Open Table.

Bookshop Santa Cruz: Frederik G. Pferdt

Bookshop Santa Cruz 1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz

Frederik G. Pferdt, renowned global thought leader and Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist, will discuss What’s Next Is Now: How to Live Future Ready. Pferdt introduces a forward-thinking mind-state that will help you navigate ambiguity and uncertainty with intention, transform problems and challenges into profound opportunities, and create exactly the future you want to see.

Free

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Fall Creek Guided Hike

Fall Creek Unit Trailhead, Felton Empire Rd, Felton, CA 95018, USA

The Fall Creek unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods is extraordinary, and we want to explore it with you! On this multi-mile hike, we'll be meandering along Fall Creek to the historic Barrel Mill and Lime Kiln sites. Join us on June 19th at 9:00am to explore this beautiful creek system and learn a bit about its history.RSVP for this event here!We'll meet in the main parking lot of Fall Creek (located off Felton Empire Grade).

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.

Abbott Square: Paint Night

Abbott Square 725 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA

Follow along with local artist, Ana of Follow the Sun, to create your own tropical beach inspired masterpiece! In just two hours you will be guided, step by step, in creating our painting of the day. Great for complete beginners and seasoned creatives alike. You have the freedom to add your personal touch – tweak the colors & composition, or just follow along with the instruction! We will learn and practice various painting techniques as we go, with plenty of room for creativity. One-on-one help is always available & all supplies are included – 16″x20″ canvas, paint, brushes, and aprons. We will be set up outside on the patio! Grab a drink from Front & Cooper & a meal from one of the many eatery options while you paint. Grab a friend, a drink, and let’s create!

$35

Capitola: Summer Twilight Concerts

Esplanade Park Capitola Village, Capitola, CA, United States

Bring chairs, jackets, a picnic supper, and the family to enjoy free live music and the sunset! Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and take place at the Esplanade bandstand. Visit local restaurants and pick up dinner to go and enjoy a picnic at the beach! Suggested to bring low back chairs or picnic blanket for seating. *No dogs or alcohol in the park or on the beach. June 12: Spun (Funky Rock) June 19: Pacific Roots (Reggae Rock) June 26: Ribsy’s Nickel (Rock/Reggae) July 3: Dirty Cello (Blues & Rock) July 10: Mike Hammar & The Nails (Contemporary Blues) July 17: Extra Large (Original Pop) July 24: The Joint Chiefs (R&B, Soul, American Roots) July 31: Dolce (Old School, R&B, Soul, American Roots) August 7: Space Heater (Funk/Dance/Jam) August 14: The Inciters Band (60’s Style Original Soul) August 21: Cowboys After Dark (Classic Rock/Funk) August 28: Alex Lucero (Soul/Americana)

Free

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery: Comedy Night

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing 402 Ingalls Street #27, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Microbrewery that makes organic beers and serves them in a dog-friendly biergarten is bringing back the Wednesday night comedy shows! Catch the best comedians from far and wide every week. 

Wilder Ranch State Park – Rail Trail Groundbreaking Ceremony

Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA

Rail Trail Groundbreaking CeremonyThursday June 20 from noon to 1:30 pmConstruction of Segment 5 of the Rail Trail will getunderway this summer, connecting Wilder Ranch State Park to the town ofDavenport, 8 miles north of Santa Cruz. Join us for the groundbreaking ceremonyof this exciting expansion on June 20! In addition to the ceremony andspeeches, activity booths and light refreshments will be available. For more information, visit www.sccrtc.org/seg5