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.
Noble Harvest Farm: Lavender U-Pick
Noble Harvest Farm 1975 Cox Rd, Aptos, CA, United StatesCheck the Noble Harvest website to schedule a visit Fridays through Sundays at their boutique lavender field when its in full bloom and harvest your own bunches. Spend time snapping pix surrounded by the sweet scent of lavender and the gentle hum of bees. Feel free to bring snacks and relax under the sun sails, then browse their hand-crafted lavender products at their farm stand. Flowers are notorious for not sharing their itinerary, so check the link listed below frequently to secure your spot. Tickets will be limited, so you don’t want to miss out!
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: Farmers Market
Downtown Watsonville CA, United StatesThe Watsonville Farmers Market is every Friday afternoon from 2-7 all year round at the City Plaza in Downtown Watsonville. Don’t miss out on the wonderful locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Bring your appetite as there are tons of delicious prepared foods to try.
Midtown Santa Cruz: Friday Summer Block Parties
Midtown Block Party Lot 1111 Soquel Ave, Santa CruzGo Celebrate all the vibrancy of Midtown at the Summer Block Party, happening every Friday! Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors The summer series of free events will feature the talents of 30+ local bands. In addition to live music, event goers will enjoy a selection of local eats as well as the opportunity to check out the work of local artists and vendors. Midtown Fridays starts May 31 to August 31. Live music brought to you by Off The Lip Radio Show May 31st: Dylan Rose Band – Opener: Shoreline Middle School Band June 7th: Doah’s Daydream – Opener: Soquel High Jazz Band June 14th: Funkranomicon – Opener: Trianna (GTRI) June 21st: The Cruzers – Opener: Ripatti & Rose June 28th: Hijinx – Opener: Mo Cruz (Animo) July 5th: The Money Band – Opener: Jim Buhisan July 12th: Santa Cruda – Opener: Th New Horizon Band July 19th: The Joint Chiefs – Opener: Jake Nielsen & Triple Threat July 26th: Locomotive Breath – Opener: Joshua Cremer August 2nd: Anthony Arya August 9th: Cowboys After Dark – Opener: Shawn Yanez August 16th: Ribsy’s Nickel – Opener: The Rayburn Brothers August 23rd: Spun – Opener: Dave Miller (Nomad) August 30th: Alex Lucero Band – Opener: Honey Disposition
Watsonville Plaza: Summer Concert Series
Watsonville Civic Plaza 275 Main Street, Watsonville, CA, United StatesThe Watsonville summer outdoor Music in the Plaza concert series is back! Enjoy an evening of music outdoors. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnics, then sit back and relax to the sounds of summer. A variety of bands from different genres will be showcased at these concerts. Grab a bite at the downtown restaurants or farmers market and enjoy the music from 6-8 PM on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month throughout the summer. June 21, 2024 July 5, 2024 July 19, 2024 August 2, 2024 August 16, 2024 September 6, 2024
Chaminade Resort and Spa: Vine to View Dinner
Chaminade Resort and Spa 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesLocally sourced and perfectly paired, the romantic wine dinner series at the Chaminade continues Friday, July 19th in partnership with Byington Winery. Head to the Chaminade courtyard overlooking Monterey Bay as Chef Samuels creates a gourmet four-course dinner expertly paired with wines from Byington Winery. $147.50 per person (plus tax; gratuity included) Overnight Package and Tickets on sale now.
Cabrillo College: The Best of Hans Zimmer 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 Hans Zimmer at Samper Recital Hall by listening to a string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight. Tickets need to be purchased. Tentative Program: Time from Inception This Land from The Lion King Zooster’s Breakout from Madagascar Supermarine from Dunkirk Honor from The Pacific A Dark Knight from The Dark Knight Wonder Woman Suite Gladiator Suite Cornfield Chase from Interstellar Dune Suite Discombobulate from Sherlock Holmes Pirates of the Caribbean Suite
Land of Medicine Buddha: Sound Journey
LAND OF MEDICINE BUDDHA 5810 Prescott Road,, Soquel CASound healing is a sacred and powerful meditative practice. Kalden Kho draws on his traditional Tibetan background, using chanting and a variety of musical instruments, to help you regain your ideal vibration, leading to a more balanced state – physically, mentally, and emotionally. In person only. Everyone is welcome to join. Please feel free to bring along your yoga mat and blanket or pad to relax on.
Capitola O’Neill Surf Shop: Save the Waves Film Festival
Capitola O’Neill Surf Shop 41st Avenue, Capitola, United StatesEnjoy the world’s only international surfing and environmental film festival in its hometown! There will be inspiring nonfiction and documentary films on surfing and water sports, travel and adventure, conservation and climate. Watch and be inspired by stories from those on the frontlines of coastal protection. This event will feature a bar with offerings from West Peak Sparkling Spirits as well as light fare. To make their film festival more eco-responsible, they have eliminated single-use plastic cups. Feel free to bring your own reusable cup or purchase a limited edition STWFF Klean Kanteen pint cup and receive an additional drink ticket from them! Kids 12 and under are free with an adult. 7:00pm: Doors Open 8:00pm: Welcomes & Short Films Program 8:45pm: Intermission 9:15pm: Feature Film
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.
Cabrillo College: String Quartet Tribute to Adele 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 Adele at Samper Recital Hall under the gentle glow of candlelight. Tickets need to be purchased. Tentative Program: “Hello” “Rumor Has It” “Make You Feel My Love” “Water Under the Bridge” “Oh My God” “Someone Like You” “Send My Love (to Your New Lover)” “Chasing Pavements” “Skyfall” “When We Were Young” “Set Fire to the Rain” “Easy On Me” “Rolling in the Deep”
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Movie on the Beach “Wonka”
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesEvery Friday night on the beach in front of the Colonnade, bring your family and your blanket or low-back chair to experience the ultimate movie night! Watch your favorite movies while munching on mouthwatering Boardwalk treats, from kettle corn and saltwater taffy to corn dogs and turkey legs. Seating has first come, first served and each movie will have a 15-minute intermission. Lost Boys: June 14 from 9pm -10:45pm Book of Life: June 21 from 9pm – 10:45pm Barbie: June 28 from 9pm – 11pm The Sandlot: July 5 from 9pm – 11pm Endless Summer: July 12 (special events from noon – 10:45pm – movie from 9:00 p.m-10:45 p.m.) Wonka: July 19 from 9pm – 11:15 Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: July 26 from 9pm – 11pm Trolls: August 2 from 9pm – 10:45 The Goonies: August 9 from 9pm to 11pm
Cabrillo College: Aptos Farmers Market
cabrillo college 6500 Soquel Dr, AptosMarket customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce and specialty foods as well as the opportunity to connect with the farmers and vendors who produce it. Ninety vendors, of which most are certified organic or use sustainable farming methods, offer pastured grass fed meats and poultry, sustainable fish, oysters, handcrafted cheeses, locally produced olive oil, fresh pasta and gourmet sauces, organic juices, handmade sauerkraut, Corralitos smoked sausages and bacon, artisan breads and baked goods, organic honey, mushrooms, sprouts and microgreens, farm fresh eggs, flowers, potted plants, seedlings, herbs, and an unsurpassed selection of certified California grown fruits, vegetables and nuts.
Seabright Beach: TAC Skimblast Skimboarding Contest
Seabright Beach Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesHead to the far south corner of Seabright Beach, near the Walton Lighthouse for the 10th Annual TAC Skimblast skimboarding competition. Professional competitors include three-time men’s UST champion Lucas Fink from Rio De Janeiro, 2021 men’s UST Champion Gerardo Valencia from Barra De Navidad, Mexico, and local talents Reef Grell, David Haefele, and Kai Schmidt from Santa Cruz. The event also welcomes amateur skimboarders of all skill levels and ages. “This year marks a decade of TAC Skimblast, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. This is the biggest skimboarding event in Northern California with nearly 100 participants each year. The level of competition at the professional level continues to go higher each year. This is an awesome opportunity to watch the best skimboarders in the world compete in Santa Cruz. It’s going to be an epic day.” -Ben Koscielniak, Contest Director and owner of TAC Apparel. Highlights: Second stop of the 2024 United Skim Tour International and local professional skimboarders Amateur divisions for all skill levels Free to watch