As winter fades and the wildflowers bloom, Santa Cruz County transforms into a springtime paradise. With longer days and warmer weather, it’s the perfect season to explore stunning coastal hikes, sip on exquisite local wines, and discover hidden gems across the region. Whether you’re craving a scenic drive through fields of blooming wildflowers, a day of tide-pooling along the coast, or a sunset picnic overlooking the ocean, this Santa Cruz spring bucket list has something for everyone. Get ready to embrace the season with these must-do experiences!

Wildflowers:

Spring in Santa Cruz County means vibrant bursts of color across rolling hills, coastal bluffs, and redwood-lined meadows. Here’s a list of some of the best spots for seasonal wildflowers!

• Visit the UCSC Arboretum’s Spring Blooms – Experience the beauty of spring as flowers like camellias, azaleas, and magnolias burst into bloom.
• Hike Glenwood Open Space Preserve – This hidden gem in Scotts Valley features rolling hills covered in vibrant purple lupines during spring.
• Explore Quail Hollow Ranch – Hike the historic grounds and see rare wildflowers.
• Hike Wilder Ranch Coastal Loop – A stunning 5-mile hike along the coast with breathtaking ocean views and fields of wildflowers. Look for California poppies.
• Visit Bamboo Giant Nursery in Aptos in early spring when conditions align, and cherry blossoms appear, creating a quiet, photo-worthy stop among towering bamboo.
• Hike Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument to see open meadow blooms in spring. This newly accessible landscape features rolling coastal grasslands that come alive with seasonal wildflowers.

Wildlife:

Spring is one of the most active wildlife seasons in Santa Cruz County. Shifting ocean conditions, migrating species, and new growth across the forests make this an ideal time to spot both marine and land-based wildlife.

• See sea otter pups – Most sea otters are born from late winter through early spring, making this the best time to spot pups riding on their parents’ chests. West Cliff Drive, Pleasure Point, and Santa Cruz Harbor are reliable viewing areas. Always observe from a distance.
• Find ladybug aggregations – In early spring, ladybugs gather in cool, shaded forest groves. Trails in The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park and the Fall Creek Unit offer some of the best chances to see these clusters.
• See elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park – Winter transitions into early spring at Año Nuevo State Park, when elephant seals can still be seen resting on the beaches before dispersing later in the season.
• See harbor seal pups along the Wilder Ranch coastline – In late spring, harbor seal pups begin appearing on protected beaches and rocky coves below the bluffs at Wilder Ranch State Park. Coastal trails offer excellent viewpoints without disturbing the seals below.
• Hike Nisene Marks for banana slugs and new growth – Spring rains bring out banana slugs and fresh understory growth, making forest hikes especially active and colorful.
• Go tidepooling at Pleasure Point or Natural Bridges – Spring low tides reveal sea stars, anemones, crabs, and other marine life at Pleasure Point and Natural Bridges State Beach.
• Watch for gray whale migration – Late spring marks the tail end of the gray whale migration. Lighthouse Point and the bluffs north of Davenport are some of the best viewing spots.

Outdoor Activities:

Spring is the ideal time to get outside and explore all that Santa Cruz County has to offer. Whether you’re hiking through redwood forests, sailing on a yacht at sunset, or watching surfers catch waves on the sparkling waters of the Monterey Bay, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventures to enjoy.

• Visit Loch Lomond – On the first of March every year, Loch Lomond Recreation Area in the Santa Cruz Mountains opens through Labor Day. Rent paddle boats, fish, or hike this outdoor wonderland.
• Take a Springtime Surf Lesson at Cowell’s Beach – The spring weather offers perfect conditions for beginners to catch some waves.
• Maple Falls at Nisene Marks – A must-do springtime hike when the waterfall is flowing at its best.
• Take a Sunset Sail on the Chardonnay II or with O’Neill Yacht Charters – Enjoy wine or beer and stunning ocean views on this luxury sailing tour.
• Fall Creek Unit (Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park) – A peaceful forested hike with babbling creeks and mossy ruins of an old lime kiln.
• Watch the Surfers at Steamer Lane – Some of the best local competitions happen in spring when the waves are still strong.
• Watch the Sunset at Natural Bridges State Park – Bring a picnic blanket to the beach and watch the sun go down behind the waves. Or watch from the lookout and see the sun dip under the iconic natural arch that gives the park its name.
• Go Waterfall Hunting After a Rainstorm – Temporary waterfalls appear all over Santa Cruz County when there is a big storm. Try to find them along the coast or in the mountains along Highway 9 or visit one of these year round spots.

Food:

Spring in Santa Cruz County brings a fresh wave of seasonal flavors, from farm-fresh produce to ocean-to-table seafood. Add these foodie havens to your list for spring-inspired culinary experiences.

• Go on a Springtime Winery Tour in the Santa Cruz Mountains – Enjoy tastings of local wines and take in the beautiful vineyards coming to life with mustard grass. Estate vineyards like Alfaro and Windy Oaks are gorgeous during the spring blooms as the vineyards wake up from winter.
• Celebrate mushroom season – Winter rains carry into early spring, making this one of the best times of year for mushrooms in Santa Cruz County. Look for seasonal mushroom dishes at local restaurants like Far West Fungi, mushroom-forward specials at markets, and spring events centered on fungi throughout the county.
• Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market Spring Kick-Off – Celebrate the arrival of fresh strawberries, artichokes, and other seasonal produce. Seasonal farmers markets like Scotts Valley and Felton reopen during the late spring.
• Visit a local cidery for spring seasonal releases – Try wildflower-infused ciders at Santa Cruz Cider Company or Tanuki Cider.
• Have a Farm-to-Table Dinner at Home in Soquel – Their rotating spring menu is full of amazing seasonal flavors.
• Pack a Picnic at Davenport Bluffs – An unreal coastal view with almost no crowds.
• Warm Up with Chowder Bread Bowl at Stagnaro Bros. – A must-try at the Santa Cruz Wharf.
• Try a Seasonal Ice Cream at Penny Ice Creamery – Look out for flavors like Meyer Lemon or Honey Lavender in the spring.

Events:

As the days grow longer, Santa Cruz County comes alive with festivals, races, markets, and community celebrations that mark the shift into spring. These seasonal events highlight the creative, coastal spirit of the county and are worth planning a trip around.

• Fun-gi First Friday at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (February 6–7) – Kick off spring with a playful celebration of fungi featuring hands-on activities, community booths, and plenty of people wearing delightfully wacky mushroom hats.
• Fungus February: Discovering and Drawing Fungi (February 7) – Learn how to identify mushrooms by shape, anatomy, color, smell, and tree associations at this educational workshop hosted by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.
• Roaring Camp Train Ride and Guided Mushroom Walk (February 7) – Ride through the redwoods and join a guided mushroom walk at Roaring Camp Railroads, one of the most scenic springtime experiences in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
• Santa Cruz Baroque Festival (February 7–14) – A series of concerts and performances celebrating Baroque and early music at venues throughout Santa Cruz.
• Valentine’s Outdoor Market on West Cliff (February 14) – Spend Valentine’s Day strolling an outdoor market with ocean views, local makers, and festive spring energy.
• Migration Festival at Natural Bridges State Beach (February 14) – Celebrate the 40th Annual Migration Festival with family-friendly activities and educational booths highlighting whales, butterflies, birds, and other migrating wildlife.
• 45th Annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (February 21–22) – Sample chowder from amateur chefs on Saturday and professional chefs on Sunday at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a beloved winter-to-spring tradition.
• Wednesday Night Sailboat Races (Beginning in March) – A weekly sailboat race at Santa Cruz Harbor that runs from March through October and brings color and energy to the waterfront every Wednesday evening.
• Alfred Hitchcock Festival in Scotts Valley (March 6–8) – Film screenings, discussions, and expert-led talks celebrating the legacy of Alfred Hitchcock.
• Winter Warmer Festival at Roaring Camp (March 7) – A day of live music, art vendors, local beer and wine, food, kids activities, and a S’mores bar set among the redwoods.
• Watsonville Film Festival (March 12–21) – A community-centered film festival highlighting Latin and Indigenous stories through free screenings and cultural events.
• Boardwalk Fun Run (March 28) – Run a 1K or 5K through the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, then stick around for rides, games, and beach time.
• Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza in Watsonville (April 4) – A family-friendly spring celebration with crafts, games, food trucks, and an egg hunt for kids ages 3 to 13.
• Earth Day Celebrations at Abbott Square (April 18) – Downtown Santa Cruz hosts eco-focused activities, educational booths, and live music at Abbott Square.
• Vincent: A One-Man Play (April 24) – Santa Cruz Shakespeare presents a special spring engagement of the acclaimed one-person play by Leonard Nimoy at the Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building.