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

Annieglass: Holiday Ornament Making Workshop

Annieglass 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville, CA, United States

Make your holidays extra special with DIY Christmas ornaments! Decorate 4 frosted glass holiday-shaped ornaments with gold & silver decorations. Take them home with you that day! Finished ornaments make great gifts for friends and family. There will be stencils for tracing directly onto the glass and inspiration for decorating the ornaments.   *This workshop is not appropriate for children under 10.

$90.00

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.

Mushroom Market

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

It’s mushroom season! Join local fungiphiles at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a mushroom market just in time for the Holidays. Pick-up mushroom themed gifts for yourself or your loved ones while exploring local mushrooms and engaging in family-friendly activities during this FREE event. Free admission to the Museum all day! Mushroom ID station with the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz (bring your mushrooms!) Fungus forward food from Areperia 831 Mushroom products from Far West Fungi Santa Cruz Local artists including Alessandra Chapman, Sarah Brothers Bot, and The Fabrica …and more! Saturday, December 9, 2023 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tyrrell Park, 1305 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz Outside the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Interested in contributing to our mushroom display? Mushrooms may be dropped off at the Museum during operational hours the week of the event (Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Enter through the main entrance and leave them with the staff person at the desk. The Museum is located at 1305 E. Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. Accessibility Drop-by anytime 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to join the festivities! Admission to the Museum is free all day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free throughout the neighborhood and bike parking is available at the corner of Pilkington Ave. and E. Cliff Dr. Biking, walking, or carpooling are all recommended. Restrooms and water fountains are available inside the Museum. Activities will be on somewhat lumpy grass.

Free

Wilder Ranch State Park P – Holidays on the Ranch

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

Holidays on theRanchSaturday,December 9 from 11 am to 3 pmCelebrate the winter holidays as folks did in Californio,Victorian, and early 20th century Santa Cruz at Wilder Ranch StatePark. Enjoy performances featuring the Lyric Victorian Carolers, sampleVictorian-era holiday goodies, watch live demonstrations in the blacksmith and machineshop, explore the historical houses, and participate in wreath and candlemaking and wood oven baking. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For moreinformation, call (831) 426-0505 or email [email protected]. Event made possibleby Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

Museum of Natural History: Mushroom Market

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

It’s mushroom season! Join local fungiphiles at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a mushroom market just in time for the Holidays. Stock up on mushroom-themed gifts, explore a display of local mushroom species, and enjoy free family-friendly activities: Free admission to the Museum all day Natural dye activity using local mushrooms Game station Mushroom ID station (bring your mushrooms!) Fungus forward food Mushroom products Local artists featuring mushroom pottery, stickers, woodworking, jewelry, and more!

Winter Faire

Santa Cruz Waldorf School 2190 Empire Grade, Sants Cruz, CA, United States

Santa Cruz Waldorf Winter Faire 2023 This will be a cozy day to craft, enjoy music, eat delicious food, and gather together with friends and family. We will have candle rolling, tea sachet making, wooden nature centerpieces,  peg gnomes, and copper ornaments to hammer. 4th & 5th Grade Choir Performance Tasty soups will be made by the 7th Grade. 7th & 8th Grade Craft Sale 6th Grade will have a bake sale fundraiser. Other offerings include lovely music, storytellers in the Redwood Grove and roasted chestnuts! FREE Puppet Show Local vendors selling their crafts! FREE SHUTTLE AT UCSC BARN @ BAY & HIGH STREET LIMITED $15 ON CAMPUS PARKING  www.santacruzwaldorf.org

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!

Annieglass: Holiday Ornament Making Workshop

Annieglass 310 Harvest Drive, Watsonville, CA, United States

Make your holidays extra special with DIY Christmas ornaments! Decorate 4 frosted glass holiday-shaped ornaments with gold & silver decorations. Take them home with you that day! Finished ornaments make great gifts for friends and family. There will be stencils for tracing directly onto the glass and inspiration for decorating the ornaments.   *This workshop is not appropriate for children under 10.

$90.00

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]

Sea to Sky Farm: Wreath Making

Sea to Sky Farm 6040 Bonny Doon Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Go check out the Sea to Sky farm house, and learn to make a beautiful locally sourced, seasonal wreath to adorn your home for the winter months. They will have a base, wire, and all the greenery and floral materials on hand for use, and of course, expert help and instruction on hand!

Santa Cruz Art League: Curious Narratives Exhibition

Santa Cruz Art League 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz

This exhibition will feature creations by Santa Cruz County artists Wendy Aikin, Judy Stabile, and Jean Sheckler Beebe. Curious Narratives is an expansion of Wendy Aikin’s installation The Curator’s Office which was part of The Museum of Curious Perceptions exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts in 2018. Collaborating for the first time, Aikin, Beebe and Stabile are expanding on selected themed boxes with their interpretations of the characters depicted in Aikin’s assemblages. Through their media choices of sculpture, collage, assemblage, painting, found objects and fiber arts the artists are expanding upon these fictional characters and creating environments for their imagined lives. While their modalities of execution are widely varied, their creative electricity lights them up.

Free

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!