Growing Up in Santa Cruz

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!

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Redwood Loop Tour

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

Every weekend day at noon, the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks will be taking folks on a guided walk through the Old Growth Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest.  On this 1-mile stroll, you will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among those old-growth giants over 200 feet tall. They say that the Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed!

Free

Downtown Santa Cruz: “Encounter” Art Exhibition

m.k. contemporary art gallery Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Enjoy a captivating new exhibition featuring the works of eight talented artists from Santa Cruz and the wider bay area. The exhibition will run through November 24th, 2024. “Encounter” explores the moment of convergence—where materials, ideas, and experiences collide. Each piece captures the ephemeral nature of these intersections, provoking curiosity and inviting viewers into a space of contemplation and connection. The work challenges perception, inviting introspection while offering intimate yet expansive reflections on the world around us. Exhibition Dates:
October 4th – November 24th, 2024  Closed Mondays through Wednesdays.  Open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM M.K. Contemporary Art invites art lovers and the general public to experience this powerful collection of works in person. The gallery is located in Downtown Santa Cruz, easily accessible to visitors from across the Bay Area.

Free

Wilder Ranch State Park: Historic Ground Tours

Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, horse barn, uniquely constructed 1860’s cow barn, 1858 farmhouse, and 1897 Queen Anne Victorian home.   *This is a 1 hour tour that starts at 1PM on both Saturday and Sunday *Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505

Wilder Ranch: Historic Grounds Tours

Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, horse barn, uniquely constructed 1860’s cow barn, 1858 farmhouse, and 1897 Queen Anne Victorian home. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Please reserve your spot online.

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 [email protected]

Swift Street Courtyard: Urban Wine Tour

Swift Street Courtyard Swift Street, Santa Cruz, United States

Join Destined for Grapeness for a walking wine tour through the Swift Street Courtyard! Enjoy a light nibble and wine tastings at our favorite places in the Swift Street Courtyard. Learn about about the Santa Cruz wine scene, enjoy tasty empanadas, and meet some cool peeps!

$85

Gifts from the Garden at Life Lab

(UCSC Farm) Farm Road, Santa Cruz, California 95064 Farm Road, Santa Cruz, United States

Celebrate the beauty of nature by crafting unique gifts from the garden at this family-friendly event at Life Lab, on the UCSC Farm. Everyone will leave with the crafts they create and you will also get a sneak peek of the activities we typically offer during our Summer Camps! Please RSVP.

Free

Pigeon Point Lighthouse History Walk

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park 210 Pigeon Point Rd, Pescadero, CA, United States

Lighthouse History Walk with Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic ParkJoin us for a 45 minute walking tour of the historic grounds of Pigeon Point Light Station. Meet by the fence in front of the first cottage. Hear tales of whalers, bootleggers, shipwrecks, the building of the lighthouse, the “Wickies” and their families, and the restoration of the tower (currently closed to the public). Visit the Fog Signal Building to view the magnificent First Order Fresnel lens and explore the exhibits. ADA accessible.Register: Lighthouse History Walk

Santa Cruz MAH: Heritage of Native Americans with Themed Cocktail

Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Head to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History for this 21+ event “In Pour Taste”.  Celebrate Native American Heritage Month and learn about the history of Powwows, intertribal gatherings that include dancing, singing, food and community.  Enjoy a custom cocktail from Front & Cooper featuring herbs from the Native Plant Learning Garden and the Kincentricity Garden right there at the MAH!

$33.85

Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train

Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United States

Travel 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.

Schwan Lake: Finding the Fungus Among Us

Simpkins Family Swim Center 979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Learn about fascinating fungi and the basics of mushroom identification (just observing, not picking or eating!)  Ages 8 and up. An adult must accompany children aged 15 and younger.  Space is limited to 20 per outing.  There are 4 outings for 4 Mondays from November 18 to December 9. 

Free

Pinto Lake: Guided Nature Walk

Pinto Lake County Park 757 Green Valley Rd,, Watsonville, CA, United States

A guided hike aimed at the youth to learn about animals, plants and habitats at Pinto Lake County Park.  Participants must be able to hike for up to 1.5 hours.  An adult must accompany children 15 years and younger.  Create an account and sign up through this link to secure your spot at no charge.  Meet at the furthest parking lot by the roundabout and bathrooms. 

Free

Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train

Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United States

Travel 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.