Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Younger Lagoon Reserve Tour

Younger Lagoon Reserve 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz

This 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into Younger Lagoon Reserve adjacent to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Part of the University of California Natural Reserve System, Younger Lagoon Reserve contains diverse coastal habitats and is home to birds of prey, migrating sea birds, bobcats, and other wildlife. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitat, and learn about the workings of one of California’s rare coastal lagoons. A tour is offered on selected Thursdays and Saturdays of each month beginning at 10:30 AM. Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Advance reservations are highly recommended using the website link below. Tours are best suited for children 10 years of age and older. Participants must be physically able to walk up and down steep inclines. Water and weather protection is strongly suggested.

Santa Cruz MAH: Accidentally Wes Anderson

Santa Cruz MAH 705 Front Street, Downtown Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH), is debuting Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures in Santa Cruz, in collaboration with the online phenomenon and community of the same name (AWA). The exhibition takes guests on a worldwide visual journey to the most beautiful, idiosyncratic locations — including Santa Cruz County — with each photo tinged with the unmistakable esthetic of filmmaker Wes Anderson.  The MAH exhibition, includes a selection of community-sourced images of quirky places and locales from California’s Central Coast. Some images pay homage to the 2024 centennial celebration of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Giant Dipper roller coaster, the oldest coaster in California that opened in 1924.   The exhibition highlights Santa Cruz’s history and architecture alongside similarly-inspired images from around the globe. Through collaboration with UC Santa Cruz and resident artists in the county, the photos provide a glimpse into the ubiquitous Anderson-esque aspects of the city.

$8 – $10

R Blitzer Gallery: Printed Digital Art Show

R Blitzer Gallery 2801 Mission Street, Santa Cruz

Community of Digital Artists (CODA) have printed their work so it can be mounted on a wall and seen in the real, not the digital world. The show has been organized as part of A Celebration of Photography on the Central Coast, a month-long celebration of photography. It was juried by Ann Jastrab. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 4pm.

Free