Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Redwood Loop Tour
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United StatesEvery weekend day at noon, the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks will be taking folks on a guided walk through the Old Growth Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest. On this 1-mile stroll, you will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among those old-growth giants over 200 feet tall. They say that the Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed!
Nicholson Vineyards: Summer Series
Nicholson Vineyards 2800 Pleasant Valley Road, Aptos, CA, United StatesEnjoy summer weekend afternoons at the beautiful Nicholson Vineyards! They will be featuring local food vendors. Saturdays from noon to 5pm – Enjoy perusing art from local artists Sundays from noon to 5pm – Enjoy listening to local musicians July 6 & 7: Epoch Eats & True Blue Studio Music by R&B July 13 & 14: Mattia Pizza & Scout + Sea Music by Sam Kellerman July 20 & 21: Chubby Tacos & Luna Dorada Music by Dave Tate July 27 & 28: My Mom’s Mole & Natalia Aandewiel Music by Tom Jacobs August 3 & 4: Areperia 831 & Nathan Goldsmith Music by Will Breman August 10 & 11: The Pesce Veggie & Papelline Music by Kip Allert August 17 & 18: SC Eatery & Sierra Evans Music by Michelle Lambert August 24 & 25: Taquizas Gabriel & Desert Moon Designs Music by Wild + Blue August 31 & September 1: Real Taco & The Clay Chalet Bottle Bash Event
Wilder Ranch: Historic Grounds Tours
Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesDiscover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, horse barn, uniquely constructed 1860’s cow barn, 1858 farmhouse, and 1897 Queen Anne Victorian home. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Please reserve your spot online.
Wilder Ranch State Park: Historic Ground Tours
Wilder Ranch State Park 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesDiscover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, horse barn, uniquely constructed 1860’s cow barn, 1858 farmhouse, and 1897 Queen Anne Victorian home. *This is a 1 hour tour that starts at 1PM on both Saturday and Sunday *Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505
Wilder Ranch State Park – Ranch History Tour
Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Coast Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USAWant 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 wilderranch@ports-ca.us
Roaring Camp Railroads: Moonlight Train Dinner Party
Roaring Camp 5401 Graham Hill Rd, Felton, CA, United StatesTreat yourself to an evening of fun and relaxation at Roaring Camp’s Redwood Evening Dinner Train Party. Start with a hearty steak dinner and just like grandma made it apple pie while you enjoy live musical entertainment. After, get into the swing of things by line dancing or two-stepping the night away, followed by a leisurely train ride aboard vintage railway cars. The steam train stops atop Bear Mountain to hot cider and musical entertainment.
Cabrillo College: String Quartet Playing Bach and The Beatles 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 from Bach to the Beatles at Samper Recital Hall under the gentle glow of candlelight. Tentative Program: Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: I. Allegro Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prelude Ave Maria (Bach / Gounod) Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043: I. Vivace The Beatles: I Want to Hold Your Hand Yesterday Blackbird Strawberry Fields Forever All You Need Is Love Eleanor Rigby Michelle Love Me Do Something In My Life Hey Jude Here Comes the Sun Come Together
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: halfmoonbay@ports-ca.us 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.