Big Basin Redwoods State Park: Guided Walk Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United StatesLearn about the story of Big Basin: past, present, and future while wandering under the guardian old-growth redwoods that have seen it all! This program is a 1 hour walk on a 0.6 mile, flat and easy trail designed for all ages. They will be covering the cultural history of this unique area including indigenous groups, loggers, and preservationists. They will also discuss natural history such as the amazing coastal redwoods, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, and the park’s future. Registration is required to ensure your spot on the walk.
UCSC Arboretum: First Saturday Tours
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesAround the World in 60-90 Minutes! The first Saturday of each month, the Arboretum offers a docent or staff-led tour of the Arboretum. Sometimes you will see New Zealand, South Africa, California, or Australia. Sometimes you might see combinations of several gardens, the developing World Conifer Collection, or Rare Fruit Garden. Tour length varies depending on what’s in bloom and what the participants request.
Wilder Ranch State Park – Guided Coastal Walk
On this 2.5 mile family friendly walk, we’ll explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Bring water, hat, closed toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. 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.
Wilder Ranch State Park – Guided Coastal Walk
On this 2.5 mile family friendly walk, we’ll explore the plants, animals, and geology of our coastal bluffs. Bring water, hat, closed toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. 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.
Natural Bridges State Beach: Monarch Butterfly Self Guided Tours
Natural Bridges State Beach 2531 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesStroll through the Monarch Butterfly Natural Preserve and be on the lookout for every splash of orange on the walk! The monarch migration is variable, please check the website or contact the park at (831)423-0871 to find out the current population. To arrange a tour for groups of 10 or more, please visit www.thatsmypark.org. Events made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. Parking near the trail accessible entrance is $10.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park – Redwood 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 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!
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 – 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 [email protected]
Downtown Santa Cruz: A Christmas Carol
Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesSanta Cruz Shakespeare presents a world premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, by Artistic Director Charles Pasternak. This Carol will hew closely to Dickens’ original text while embracing the exciting, inspiring spirit that SCS is known for. Featuring Mike Ryan as Scrooge, as well as local favorite Julie James, the production will take place at the historic Santa Cruz County Veteran’s Memorial Building.
Felton: SantaCon
Emerald Mallard California 9, Felton, United StatesHo, ho, ho! They’re at it again! Start out at Humble Sea in Felton for the annual shenanigans in Downtown Felton. Part festive interaction with our community, part pub crawl — total silly fun! This is free to attend. No tickets or registration is required. 21+
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesA seasonal tradition returns to Santa Cruz with the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train. Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through city streets past homes of Santa Cruz. Itinerary: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Trains depart and return in front of Neptune’s Kingdom on the Boardwalk of Santa Cruz for a 60-minute round-trip excursion. Check out the Roaring Camp website for day/time availability. ACTIVITIES Visit from Santa Live Music Hot-Spiced Cider Holiday Sing-Along DATES November 29 – 30 December 7 – 8 December 14 – 23
Downtown Santa Cruz: A Christmas Carol
Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building 846 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesSanta Cruz Shakespeare presents a world premiere adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, by Artistic Director Charles Pasternak. This Carol will hew closely to Dickens’ original text while embracing the exciting, inspiring spirit that SCS is known for. Featuring Mike Ryan as Scrooge, as well as local favorite Julie James, the production will take place at the historic Santa Cruz County Veteran’s Memorial Building.
Castro Adobe Open House
184 Old Adobe Rd Watsonville, CA, United StatesRancho San Andres Castro Adobe State HistoricParkCastro Adobe Open House: ‘Tis The Season!Sunday, December 8 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm‘Tisthe season of giving and the Castros were known to be generous people.Strangers were not strangers for long as the Castro family invited all toparticipate in a fiesta in the fandango room with live music, and of coursethere was food and drinks! Continue the tradition and come to the Castro Adobeto explore the fandango room and to enjoy complimentary coffee in the cocina,all while learning the traditions and customs of those who called Rancho SanAndres home. Come as strangers and leave as friends! Listen to live music andenjoy our recently installed interpretive displays. Reservationsfor a free 90-minute docent led tour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse Eventmade possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669
Live Oak: Farmers Market
Live Oak Farmers’ Market 15th Street & East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United StatesStarted in 2000, this neighborhood market has grown to be a weekly event that is loved and depended on by the communities of Live Oak, Pleasure Point and Capitola. Here the atmosphere is bumping with families, cyclists, beach goers, locals, visitors, the young and the old. Shoppers find an excellent selection of organic produce from regional farms. The tables are stacked high with tree-ripened fruits, greens, fresh bread, pastries, nuts and legumes, sustainable seafood, pasture-raised organic meats and seasonal flowers. Many visitors spend hours at the market, filling their bags with berries, chicories and bagels – then moving onto a unique meal from one of the accomplished cooks that sell at the market. Sunday brunch offerings include traditional Michoacan Mexican dishes, gyoza, savory and sweet crepes and farm-driven meals that spotlight the harvest in clean, creative and bright arrangements. Watsonville-based Hidden Fortress Coffee provides that hot, comforting cup of goodness that brings us back to the simple pleasures of life. This is your Sunday destination.