Growing Up in Santa Cruz

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.

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

Hallcrest Vineyards: Solstice Art Market

Hallcrest Vineyards 379 Felton Empire Rd, Felton

2 days of music, over 85 vendors, wine, cider and food!!! What more could you ask for? Free admission and free parking? Ok, they’ve got you too! Activities for the whole family, and a beautiful day in the Santa Cruz mountains! It’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys. 11am to 5pm on both days.

Free

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!

Downtown Santa Cruz: Gyro Pop-Up 2024

Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church 223 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Enjoy delicious Greek specialties, live music and be Greek for a day!  OPA!!

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]

Roberts Ranch Vineyards: Wine Tasting and Crushpad Concert

Roberts Ranch Vineyards Roberts Road, Ben Lomond, United States

This month at the Crushpad is Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomsen! The Canadian American Roots-Folk duo are “prodigious players with songwriting that sets them apart.” With soaring violin, diverse guitar styles, compelling storytelling, a dash of harmonica and humor, and unique vocal rapport, they deliver a dynamic, engaging, polished performance. While Dan and Laurel play, enjoy a tasting of 5 of the current Roberts Ranch wines complete with abundant charcuterie boards! Meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, chocolate and even warm appetizers make appearances at this lovely and casual tasting experience. (See Seltzer & Charcuterie option for those not partaking in the wine tasting.) Your tasting begins at the crush pad where you will sign in and get your first pour and plate of charcuterie. From there we welcome you to find a comfortable spot to enjoy the views and pace your tasting and food experience according to your preference. Enjoy a flavorful and relaxing afternoon! Attended children and well-behaved pups are welcome to join. Please sign up for a child’s ticket so they can be prepared with snacks and drinks for the kids.

$10 – $40

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Tree ID

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

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!This free program will meet in front of the Visitor Center and meander down River Trail and back through the Redwood Grove. Hard rain cancels! Hope to see you there! Click here to RSVP.

Brookdale Lodge: FAE Masquerade Ball

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

Enjoy a magical evening at the enchanting Brookdale Lodge. Put on your most whimsical mask and dance the night away with fellow fae creatures.   Get ready for a night filled with mystery, music, and merriment. Don’t miss out on this fantastical experience!

$35

The Crepe Place: Bluegrass Supper Series

The Crepe Place 1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Need more banjo in your life?  Head to The Crepe Place every Sunday through October to hear bluegrass jam sessions on the garden stage.  There is no cover charge for the music. Dinner reservations are available for 4 or more people.

Live Earth Farm: U-Pick Strawberries

Live Earth Farm 1275 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, CA, United States

Spots are limited for 2 hours at 10am, and 12:30 on Saturdays & Sundays. Dates are subject to change without notice.  Discounts apply to produce the more you pick! Bring buckets, boxes, or other containers to harvest into, or purchase containers from them for a small fee. Make sure to dress accordingly – layers, hats, sunblock. Load up the kids, pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it!

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!

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]