Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Abbott Square: Comedy Night

Abbott Square 725 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA

Head to Abbott Square to have some laughs, every Monday night. Featuring comedians from all over the Bay Area and beyond. 

Half Moon Bay State Beach – Junior Rangers

Francis Beach Amphitheater, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, USA

During this 1-hour program for ages 7 to 12, kids become Junior Rangers by participating in hands-on activities to earn prizes while learning how to protect the natural world! Activities vary from nature walks, to games, to nature-inspired crafts and are based on a different theme each week. Register in advance here. Walk-ins are welcome. Meet at the amphitheater at the north end of the campground.Program is free. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.

Free Online Parent Drop-In: Youth Mental Health

The Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health offers free Parent Drop-Ins, 1-hour sessions where parents can seek guidance from experts specializing in specific youth mental health disorders. Parents can also connect with others facing similar challenges. Each Zoom session is hosted by expert clinical psychologists who specialize in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use, suicidality, and psychotropic medication. Parent Drop-Ins are held on the last Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm. Register to receive the Zoom link, and submit questions ahead of time. Upcoming Parent Drop-Ins: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 5:30-6:30 pm PST - on Zoom Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from from 5:30-6:30 pm PST - on Zoom Wednesday, August 28, 2024 from 5:30-6:30 pm PST - on Zoom Wednesday, September 25, 2024 from 5:30-6:30 pm PST - on Zoom We also offer Parent Drop-In session for schools and parent groups.

Free

Santa Cruz: WEDNESDAY NIGHT SAILBOAT RACES

Santa Cruz Harbor 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Santa Cruz is known near and far for its surfing legacy, but there is another water sport that finds a niche on our coast, with a similarly devoted following. Sailboats dot the waves almost as frequently as surf boards here, benefiting from the tides and currents that make this beach town so special. So it is no surprise that the Santa Cruz Harbor and the Santa Cruz Yacht Club have become a nexus for the sailing community, with a calendar packed with activities and a weekly regatta, which brings out even the biggest land lover to admire the race every Wednesday.

Capitola: Summer Twilight Concerts

Esplanade Park Capitola Village, Capitola, CA, United States

Bring chairs, jackets, a picnic supper, and the family to enjoy free live music and the sunset! Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and take place at the Esplanade bandstand. Visit local restaurants and pick up dinner to go and enjoy a picnic at the beach! Suggested to bring low back chairs or picnic blanket for seating. *No dogs or alcohol in the park or on the beach. June 12: Spun (Funky Rock) June 19: Pacific Roots (Reggae Rock) June 26: Ribsy’s Nickel (Rock/Reggae) July 3: Dirty Cello (Blues & Rock) July 10: Mike Hammar & The Nails (Contemporary Blues) July 17: Extra Large (Original Pop) July 24: The Joint Chiefs (R&B, Soul, American Roots) July 31: Dolce (Old School, R&B, Soul, American Roots) August 7: Space Heater (Funk/Dance/Jam) August 14: The Inciters Band (60’s Style Original Soul) August 21: Cowboys After Dark (Classic Rock/Funk) August 28: Alex Lucero (Soul/Americana)

Free

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery: Comedy Night

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing 402 Ingalls Street #27, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Microbrewery that makes organic beers and serves them in a dog-friendly biergarten is bringing back the Wednesday night comedy shows! Catch the best comedians from far and wide every week. 

UCSC: Farmstand

Cowell Ranch Hay Barn 1156 High St., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Center for Agroecology Farmstand is open to all and features organic vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers grown at the UCSC Farm and Chadwick Garden. Find the Farmstand at the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn near the base of campus every Thursday from 12:30-6pm, beginning June 20 and continuing through September 26, 2024.

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

Wilder Ranch State Park – Birding Walk

On this 2.5 mile hike, be prepared to walk on uneven surfaces, with many stops to view the many birds, plants, and scenery along the way. You will help each other spot and identify birds! Bring your binoculars if you have them, clothes for variable weather, and good walking shoes.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.

Food Truck Friday

Skypark 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA, United States

Head to Skypark in Scotts Valley for the area’s largest food truck festival! Lots of excitement, more food vendors, the fabulous SVEF Beer & Wine Garden, amazing Live Music and face painting!

Midtown Santa Cruz: Friday Summer Block Parties

Midtown Block Party Lot 1111 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz

Go 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

Free

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Free Barbie Movie on the Beach

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Every 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

Free

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.

Half Moon Bay State Beach – Junior Rangers

Francis Beach Amphitheater, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, USA

During this 1-hour program for ages 7 to 12, kids become Junior Rangers by participating in hands-on activities to earn prizes while learning how to protect the natural world! Activities vary from nature walks, to games, to nature-inspired crafts and are based on a different theme each week. Register in advance here. Walk-ins are welcome. Meet at the amphitheater at the north end of the campground.Program is free. Vehicle day-use fee is $10.

Live Earth Upper Farm: U-Pick Flowers and Bouquet Arranging Class

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

Head to the Live Earth Farm Discovery fields and pick your flowers for a bouquet-arranging extravaganza. Arrange bouquets with color theory, textures, and fresh scents for a sweet summer day.

$40