Cabrillo College: String Quartet Tribute to Queen and Abba by Candlelight
Cabrillo College Samper Hall 6500 Soquel Drive Visual and Performing Arts Complex, Aptos, CA, United StatesSee the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Santa Cruz. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen and Abba at Samper Recital Hall under the gentle glow of candlelight. Tentative Program: Dancing Queen SOS Money, Money, Money Bohemian Rhapsody I Want to Break Free Waterloo Super Trouper Mamma Mia Don’t Stop Me Now We Will Rock You We Are the Champions
Henry J. Mello Center: Mexican American Celebration
Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts 250 East Beach Street, Watsonville, CA, United States“Rostros de Mexico” (Faces of Mexico) will take you through a historical, dance and musical tour of different regions to show the diverse cultural faces of Mexico. You will see dances of the Revolution of the state of Chihuahua, continue with the sounds of tarima from Guerrero, enjoy the huapangos de San Luis Potosí and travel to Tabasco to admire the agile footwork. Your journey takes you to the colorful municipality of Boca del Río, Veracruz with its cheerful boqueño jarocho sounds and ends with a fiesta in the Port City of Veracruz with a traditional carnival. August 17th 8-9PM & August 18th 3-4PM
Guided Hike to Castle Rock and CR Falls
Guided Hike to Castle Rock and Castle Rock FallsAugust 18, 2024 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)Castle Rock State Park, HeadquartersHike with longtime docent Steve to the famous Castle Rock and visit Castle Rock Falls! This easy 2.8 mile loop has 553 feet elevation gain and amazing views of the Castle Rock sandstone formation. Castle Rock has many tafoni, where the rock is eroded to form pits, pockets, honeycombs, caves, ribs, and ridges. We leave from park headquarters and hike gently uphill to Castle Rock. We learn about the geology and history of the area. We also observe the many rock climbers before we continue to Castle Rock Falls, with its view of the San Lorenzo River Valley and the Pacific Ocean. Then we return to headquarters. This hike is rated “easy” but has some uphill sections.Bring at least one liter of water, snacks, and appropriate clothing. Rain cancels. Meet at Park Headquarters. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.
Wilder Ranch State Park: Backcountry Hike
Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesOn this hike you will be discovering the natural history of Wilder Ranch as well as the people and forces that shaped it. Be prepared to explore for 5 hours on this 8 mile hike with 1000 ft. of elevation gain. Bring your binoculars if you have them, clothes for variable weather, and good hiking shoes. It is also highly recommended you bring at least 32 oz of water and lunch to eat on the trail. Meet by the Visitor’s Center by the front of the Meder House in the historic complex. Rain cancels. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Reservations are required using the website link below.
Wilder Ranch State Park: Guided Hike
Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesDiscover the natural history of Wilder Ranch as well as the people and forces that shaped it. Be prepared to explore for 5 hours on this 8-mile hike with 1000 feet. of elevation gain. Bring your binoculars if you have them, clothes for variable weather good hiking shoes, 32 oz of water and lunch to eat on the trail. Meet outside the Visitor’s Center. The hike is free, but parking is $10.
Butano State Park – Guided Hike
Join a State Park Educator and enjoy the flora and fauna of Butano State Park on this moderate 2.2 mile loop. This hike features creekside riparian habitat, redwood forest, and oak woodlands. Keep your eyes peeled for banana slugs and newts! Where: Meet at the Visitor Center near the front entranceTime: 10:00amParking: Parking is located by visitor center. Additional parking is located at the picnic area further down Butano State Park Road. $10 vehicle day use fee applies. Preparation: Participants should wear sturdy shoes and a hat, and bring plenty of water & snacks. Hike includes some slippery downhill in the winter; trekking poles are encouraged. Steady rain will cancel. Note that there is no running water in this park, so bring plenty!Contact: [email protected] or (669)758-1819
Elkhorn Slough: Free Tour of the Preserve
Elkhorn Slough Reserve 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville, CA, United StatesDocent-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 (831) 728-2822. The Docent will craft a walk that meets the groups needs and abilities.
Santa Cruz Beach Train
Roaring Camp Railroads 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United StatesFrom Trees to Shining Seas – Felton to Santa Cruz. Departing from the Santa Cruz Mountains, travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Reverse roundtrips departing from the beach in Santa Cruz to Roaring Camp and back may be purchased from the conductor on the train departing from Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz Big Trees & Pacific Railway operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried lumber as well as picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Today’s Beach Train passengers can start their roundtrip journeys from either Roaring Camp in Felton or from the beach in Santa Cruz. Departs from both the beach in Santa Cruz and Roaring Camp. See departure times for more information. Please note that the 4 p.m. train leaving Santa Cruz is one-way only. There is no return train to the beach.
Downtown Santa Cruz: Makers Market
Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market Pacific Ave and Lincoln St, Santa CruzVisit the Downtown Santa Cruz Makers Market featuring 40+ local makers & artists in beautiful Downtown Santa Cruz! Located on the 1100 block of Pacific Ave. between Cathcart and Lincoln Streets, this monthly market hosts a wide range of locally handmade goods! *In the event of rain, the market will be held on the following Sunday
Live Earth Farm: U-Pick Strawberries
Live Earth Farm 1275 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, CA, United StatesSpots 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!
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.
Watsonville: AAPI Identity Art Show
Pajaro Valley Arts 37 Sudden Street, Watsonville, CA, United StatesWhat is Identity? Enjoy an exploration of identity through the lens of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists. From traditional forms to contemporary expressions, each work offers a unique perspective inviting you to ponder the complexities of culture, heritage, and self-discovery. Sunday, August 11 from 2-4pm at 37 Sudden St; Opening Reception Sunday, August 11 at 2:30pm at 37 Sudden St; Watsonville Taiko Performance Saturday, August 17 from 2-3pm at 280 Main St; Storytelling Matinee Saturday, August 24 from 2-3pm at 280 Main St; Storytelling Matinee Sunday, September 8 from 2-3pm at 37 Sudden St; Poetry Reading & Artist Talk with Shirley Ancheta The Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm.
Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi
Santa Cruz Harbor 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesThe 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.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Redwood Loop Tour
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United StatesCoast 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, USACoast 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!