Butano State Park Guided Walk
Butano State Park Visitor Center, 1500 Cloverdale Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060, USAJoin 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.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Advice from a Redwood Hike and Craft
Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United StatesExperience the beauty of the Santa Cruz Mountains with a unique blend of nature and creativity. Enjoy a walk among the redwoods coupled with an engaging art activity. You’ll explore the Redwood Loop at a leisurely pace, drawing inspiration from these ancient trees and learning about their lessons on healing, community, and resilience. After the walk, you’ll have the opportunity to express your newfound inspiration through monotype printmaking. This accessible art form allows everyone, regardless of prior experience, to create one-of-a-kind prints to keep or share. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, you are encouraged to participate – art, like nature, is for everyone. Your walk will cover no more than a mile on the mostly flat, unpaved Redwood Loop. For the art-making session, you’ll use picnic tables where you can comfortably sit or stand while you work. Meet at the Visitor Center in the main parking lot at Big Basin. Detailed directions and additional information will be provided via email to those who register – ADVANCED REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Enjoy this enriching and creative outdoor experience!
Pigeon Point Lighthouse History Walk
Lighthouse History Walk with Pigeon Point LighthouseJoin 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.https://SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/PigeonPointHistoryWalk
Natural Bridges State Beach
Join us during the summer for a free 1-hour program for the whole family focused on nature topics. Kids age 7-12 can use this program to earn Junior Ranger logbook stamps and prizes. Weekly topics and themes vary. Previous themes have included: frogs, sand, marine mammals, birds, and many others!
Cabrillo College: In The Heights
Cabrillo College Crocker Theater 6500 Perimeter Dr., Aptos, CA, United StatesThe musical, In the Heights, tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures. Where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.
The Wizard of tOyZ
Park Hall Ben Lomond 9339 Mill Street, Ben LomondLittle People’s Repertory Theatre presents “The Wizard of tOyZ” this summer and invites you to break out of your toy box and join us for a ‘twist’ on The Wizard of Oz unlike any you have seen! For over 40 years, LPRT has the reputation of Santa Cruz County’s best alternative children’s musical theater! “The Wizard of tOyZ” features over twenty musical numbers, with a cast of over 70 children ages 7-14 singing and dancing to parodies of contemporary pop and classic rock tunes. This original rock musical by Janinne Chadwick is directed by Daria E. Troxell, with music direction by Gabe House and choreography by Haley Clarke, and will be presented at Park Hall in Ben Lomond July 17-July 28, 2024. Specific ticket information and show times are available online at lprt.org.
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium: Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium 307 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesIn late July and early August each year, audiences are joined by both preeminent and emerging composers, spectacular guest artists, and an orchestra of dedicated professional musicians from across the globe to give voice to works which are rarely more than a year or two old, and sometimes still wet on the page. The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, even at a seasoned 60 years old, is all about the new—the here and now of contemporary works for orchestra. To quote Financial Times music critic Allan Ulrich, “…in the surf mecca of Santa Cruz, 75 miles south of San Francisco, the Cabrillo Festival has made the contemporary repertoire sound urgent, indispensable and even sexy.”
Gizdich Ranch: Olallieberry U-Pick
Gizdich Ranch 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA, United StatesPlants are notoriously unreliable for sharing their arrival and departure itinerary, so please call the ranch in advance before you go! Experience the most fun part of growing fruits at the Ranch! Combined with fresh air, sunshine and a little sweat, it’s a whole lot of fun for the kids and the entire family. Don’t forget your camera. When everyone’s ready for lunch, picnic behind their sales barn and let the kids play.
Natural Bridges State Beach Little Rangers (3-6years + adult)
Join us during the summer season for a free 1-hour children's program for kids ages 3-6 and their families focused on nature topics. Weekly topics and themes vary.
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United StatesTravel 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.
Abbott Square: Comedy Night
Abbott Square 725 Front St, Santa Cruz, CAHead to Abbott Square to have some laughs, every Monday night. Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond.
Gizdich Ranch: Olallieberry U-Pick
Gizdich Ranch 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA, United StatesPlants are notoriously unreliable for sharing their arrival and departure itinerary, so please call the ranch in advance before you go! Experience the most fun part of growing fruits at the Ranch! Combined with fresh air, sunshine and a little sweat, it’s a whole lot of fun for the kids and the entire family. Don’t forget your camera. When everyone’s ready for lunch, picnic behind their sales barn and let the kids play.
Roaring Camp Railroads: Redwood Forest Steam Train
Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United StatesTravel 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.
Felton: Farmers Market
Felton Farmers’ Market 120 Russell Ave, Felton, CA, United StatesThe Felton Farmers’ Market is a treasured weekly gathering May through October, now running for over 30 years. We appreciate the dedicated customers who call this market a second home. Your support of regional agriculture and small, local businesses makes a difference. The Felton Farmers’ Market was started in 1987 and is the second oldest market in Santa Cruz County. SCCFM took over operations in 2009 and our team has developed deep ties to the community. Every Tuesday a quality collection of regional farms and food businesses throw up their tents to sell a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, artisanal bread, seafood and other staple foods. Connecting residents directly with local farms, the Felton Market is an essential part of the regional food system as well as a resource for nutritious organic foods and basic agricultural education.
Gizdich Ranch: Olallieberry U-Pick
Gizdich Ranch 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA, United StatesPlants are notoriously unreliable for sharing their arrival and departure itinerary, so please call the ranch in advance before you go! Experience the most fun part of growing fruits at the Ranch! Combined with fresh air, sunshine and a little sweat, it’s a whole lot of fun for the kids and the entire family. Don’t forget your camera. When everyone’s ready for lunch, picnic behind their sales barn and let the kids play.