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 – Foodways at the Mission

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

With Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Month on the mind, join us at the Mission for a historic exploration of local Indigenous foodways. We'll discuss the foods native to California before Spanish contact, and explore the ways in which food varieties and cultivation methods drastically changed under Spanish colonization. Touch, smell, and taste a bit of history as we compare & contrast California history to the "classic Thanksgiving story", and discuss ultimately the effect this forced diet change had on the local population. As always, this event is FREE, no registration required. Call (831) 425-5849 or email [email protected] with any questions.

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 [email protected]

Santa Cruz Wharf: Salsa by the Sea

Beach Street and East of Santa Cruz 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.

Event Series Farley’s Christmas Wonderland

Farley’s Christmas Wonderland

Farley’s Christmas Wonderland 108 Seaview Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

This is a walk-in Christmas display located in the midtown of Santa Cruz, CA. Their exhibit is very traditional: lots of Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, miniature village’s, and a log cabin that Santa uses for his rest stops. Being Irish, where you have elves you have fairies, so there is a fairy grotto with 2 waterfalls and fairies that can be viewed on special nights. Also, on those special nights, there is a special California version of snow here!

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing: Westside Comedy

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

Grab a drink and check out this amazing free comedy show where we bring you the best comics from around the Bay Area and beyond!

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds: Holiday Craft Fair

Crosetti Hall, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA, United States

Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair returns for its 46th season! Go see what has become the official start of the holiday season in the Pajaro Valley.  With three big buildings to shop, you will find crafts, gifts, antiques, collectibles, toys and much more.  Many crafters have been regular appearances here for years. Great food favorites will be available in the Heritage Holiday Kitchens for your enjoyment. Bring the family for a great shopping experience, enjoy a great dinner, and walk through the holiday lights that will be found throughout  the fairgrounds.

Soquel Village: Christmas Tree Lighting

Corner of Main St. & Soquel Courtyard 4900, Soquel Dr., United States

Get ready to deck the halls and light up Soquel Village at the first-ever Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Join the festive fun with caroling, early evening shopping and scrumptious snacks. A special invite has been sent directly to Santa…

Event Series Early Bird Tour

Early Bird Tour

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserach Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville (Royal Oaks), CA, United States

Amateur and expert birders alike will find a place on the Early Bird Tour! Local guides lead these 2-3 mile walks, sharing the life histories of the birds that call Elkhorn Slough home, and giving tips on identifying species.

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Birding

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground 2591 Graham Hill Road, Scotts Valley, CA, United States

We are offering a bird watching program on Dec 2nd at 9:00am. Join us to learn all about life histories, behaviors, field markings, etc. On this 1-mile walk, we will make specific observations about characteristics that will certainly help us quack the case for many bird identifications! Let's plan to meet in the campfire center of the campground. Hope to see you there! Make sure to bring binoculars and a jacket so you're not murmuring under your breath "brrrrrrrrrrrrd."Reservation required; click here to RSVP.

Lighthouse Field State Beach – Habitat Restoration Work Day

Habitat Restoration Volunteer Work DaySaturday, October 7 from 9 am to noonSaturday, November 4 from 9 am to noonSaturday, December 2 from 9 am to noonSpend a beautiful morning at Lighthouse Field State Beach with friendly people AND help the park by volunteering for one of our upcoming work days!From 9 am to noon on the first Saturday of the month, volunteers will support habitat restoration of popular day-use areas and trails by removing non-native vegetation, such as ice plant and Himalayan blackberry. Hand tools such as loppers, shovels, pulaskis, and hand clippers will be used to remove the weeds. Volunteers should bring a refillable water bottle, lunch, sun protection, and work gloves if available. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and layered clothing; long sleeve shirts and pants are strongly recommended to avoid poison oak exposure. Visit https://volunteer.calparks.org to sign up! Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. Ages 8 and older welcome – minors must be accompanied by an adult. 

Book Sale

The Scotts Valley Friends of the Library are holding a winter book sale on Saturday, December 2nd, from 10-3 at the Fireside Lounge at the Scotts Valley Library located at 251 Kings Village Road. Come find those literary gifts! We have great conditioned children’s books, fiction and nonfiction books, including some boxed sets. Specialty books such as cookbooks, oversized books, genealogy books, musical and music books, antique/vintage books and antique glass books will be available. How about CD’s, DVD’s, and audiobooks? We’ve got them! Puzzles will be there too. All proceeds benefit the Scotts Valley Library.

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 [email protected] here to Register

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!

Event Series Visits with Santa

Visits with Santa

Downtown Information Kiosk 1130 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA

Santa 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 2 (after parade) 12-4pm Sunday, December 3, 12-4 Saturday, December 9, 12-4 Sunday, December 10, 12-4 Saturday, December 16, 12-4 Sunday, December 17, 12-4 Friday, December 22, 12-4 Saturday, December 23, 12-4