Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Gizdich Ranch: Olallieberry U-Pick

Gizdich Ranch 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA, United States

Plants 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 States

Travel 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 States

The 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.

UCSC: Women Who Made Early Disneyland Celebration

UCSC Library McHenry Road, Santa Cruz, United States

Head to the McHenry Library at UC Santa Cruz for a celebration of the new book, “The Women Who Made Early Disneyland”. Coauthors Kelsey Knox and Cindy Mediavilla will read excerpts and demonstrate women workers’ critical role in the development of the Disneyland project.  Seeking to reclaim women’s place in the early history of Disneyland, The Women Who Made Early Disneyland highlights the female Disney employees and contract workers who helped make the park one of the most popular U.S. destinations during its first ten years.

Free

Gizdich Ranch: Olallieberry U-Pick

Gizdich Ranch 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA, United States

Plants 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 States

Travel 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.

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.

Downtown Santa Cruz: Farmers Market

Downtown Farmers’ Market 700-798 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

The Downtown Santa Cruz Market runs year-round on Wednesdays, 1-5pm year round. Our largest and oldest market, it is situated in the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, one block off of Pacific Avenue. Established in 1990, many of the farms that sell here were and remain pillars of the organic and ecological farming movement. This is the place to eat with the seasons! The variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, pastured meats and other products is swoon worthy. The Downtown Market also spotlights a large variety of up-and-coming, unique cultural food businesses. This weekly spot may serve up the most diverse selection of ethnic foods in the county including naan and curry, Japanese fermented misos, Eritrean dishes, crepes, El Salvadorean pupusas, traditional Italian cookies, fish and chips and long-ferment fresh breads. Shopping at the Wednesday market is a wonderful way to support regional responsible farms and small local businesses. Fill your grocery bags! Then sit down for a delightful meal and rest your weary arms.

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

Bookshop Santa Cruz: Lives Changed by Trees

Bookshop Santa Cruz 1520 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz

While you are visiting here in Santa Cruz County, you will have many opportunities to be changed by awe inspiring trees.  To prepare for your transformation, you may want to head to Bookshop Santa Cruz to see New York Times bestselling author Amy Stewart (The Drunken Botanist) for a discussion and signing of her new book The Tree Collectors, a collection of fifty vignettes of remarkable people whose lives have been transformed by their obsessive passion for trees.   “These mesmerizing trees, and the inspiring people they’ve transformed, will alter your perspective and give you hope.” —Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees 

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. 

Gizdich Ranch: Olallieberry U-Pick

Gizdich Ranch 55 Peckham Rd, Watsonville, CA, United States

Plants 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 States

Travel 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.

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.