Santa Cruz Mission – Adobe Building Tour

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

Join us at 1pm 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. 

Wilder Ranch State Park – Ranch History Tour

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

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

Natural Bridges State Park: Free Public Tidepool Tours

Natural Bridges State Beach 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Explore the ocean without getting your feet wet on this exciting tidepool tour! Join an interpretive docent to climb up the rocky trail and out to view the amazing animals that make their home in Santa Cruz tidepools. King Tides tidepool tours will be held on January 10, 11, 12 @ 3pm. King Tides are when the ocean’s tides are the lowest they will be that year, so it’s one of the best times to go tidepooling!

Bookshop Santa Cruz: Meet the Grinch

Bookshop Santa Cruz 1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz

The Grinch is back and ready to prove to the residents of Who-ville that he’s changed. This heartwarming sequel is written and illustrated in the style of Dr. Seuss’s beloved holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The new book storytime reading is free and available to the public. If you and 4 others would like to take a photo with the Grinch himself, you can purchase tickets to the photo line on the day of the event or through the link below. Purchasing tickets to the photo line includes your own copy of the new book!

Natural Bridges State Beach – Tidepool Tour

Natural Bridges Visitor Center 2320 W Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Explore the ocean without getting your feet wet on this exciting tidepool tour! Join us for some fun in the sun and meet the incredible creatures of the Natural Bridges Tidepools. Prepare to walk over slippery rocks, through sand and up hills on this tour. Our tidepools are part of a Marine Protected Area which means that the animals are protected and cannot be touched, picked up, or moved.  Thank you for helping us preserve these animals and their home.Please Sign up ahead of time using this link: https://SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/?appointmentType=23305287Meet at the Visitor Center. Questions? Call 831-423-0871 or email naturalbridges@ports-ca.usThis tour is free. Parking is $10 and can be used in any State Park that day. Event is made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Event Series The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Scotts Valley Performing Arts Center 251 Kings Valley Road, Scotts Valley, CA, United States

7:30 pm Dec. 8-9, 2pm Dec 9-10 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Presented by Scotts Valley Performing Arts. The play is a hilarious family-friendly romp with a very nice twist of an ending. Details and tickets at SVPAShows.org. At the Scotts Valley Cultural & Performing Arts Center

Santa Cruz Wharf: Salsa by the Sea

Santa Cruz Wharf 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Salsa By The Sea is a free, weekly outdoor salsa dancing event held  by the wharf on Beach Street, directly in front of the Santa Cruz Beach Volleyball Courts. The event runs all year long (except when it rains). Some weekends are Bachata by the Sea, with more bachata music played than salsa.

Watsonville: Santa Tour

Downtown Watsonville CA, United States

For three days, December 13-15, from 4-7 each evening, Santa and his special guests will spread holiday cheer as they visit parts of Watsonville.

Cabrillo Youth Strings Chamber Music Recital

Cabrillo College Music Building 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA

Cabrillo Youth Strings students will perform solos and quartets in this festive recital. Music from the Baroque through the Romantic eras will be featured. Also, a Celtic piece and music by Jean Sibelius will be performed. The Recital will be held in the Cabrillo College Music Building, VAPA5000, Room 5156. Donations will be accepted at the door. For further information, please call 479-6100 or email Cabrilloyouthstrings@gmail.com.

$17

Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve

Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, United States

Docent-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 below. The Docent will craft a walk that meets the groups needs and abilities.

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. There is no drinking water or cell service at Big Basin, so be sure to bring plenty of water!For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact bigbasin@ports-ca.us.Click here to Register

Wilder Ranch State Park – Guided Coastal Walk

On this 2.5 mile family friendly walk, we’ll explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Bring water, hat, closed toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. 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.

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!

Acton Academy Santa Cruz Holiday Craft and Business Fair

Come support young entrepreneurs and their families at the 2nd annual Acton Academy Santa Cruz Holiday Craft and Business Fair. They will be selling art, crafts, wreaths, food, clothing, dog toys, plants, essential oils and more!