With a wide range of free events taking place year-around, there’s always something to celebrate in Santa Cruz County every weekend. See what’s happening in Santa Cruz County and check out events here!
Around 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 […]
Enjoy 13 days of frightful fun on the Santa Cruz Wharf! Take part in the Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt, snap a photo at our scenic photo booth, and enjoy festive Wharf specials ALL 13 days! It all kicks off October 19! The Great Pumpkin BINGO Hunt - All 13 Days Join the the Great Pumpkin BINGO […]
Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs work their culinary magic and compete for the title of Best Chili!
🍎 Sweet Water Farms U-Pick Apple Orchard 🍎 Spend a beautiful day at Sweet Water Farms in Watsonville picking your own apples straight from the orchard! Bring family and friends to enjoy crisp apple varieties, pumpkins, and a taste of fall in the countryside. This is a family-run orchard that loves welcoming visitors—perfect for kids, […]
The Ladybug’s Labyrinth at Mariquita Farm is open for U-Pick marigold harvests by individuals or groups. Hundreds of Chedi Orange Marigolds surround the labyrinth, making it a fun visual experience. After picking your marigolds you can walk the labyrinth and enjoy the area for a snack or simply sit and take it all in. You […]
10:30 AM - 2:30, Saturdays and Sundays, October 4th and 5th, 11th and 12th, 26th and 24th, 26th.
Due to the Murray Bridge closure, the Water Taxi is now available through October. Go explore the harbor shops, restaurants and experiences with very little car traffic! Passengers may be picked up and dropped off at the following locations: X1 Gate (northeast harbor) AA Dock (southwest harbor) Launch Ramp (southeast harbor) Please visit the Port […]
Every Sunday at Noon Experience a guided hike through an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 feet tall. Connect one on one with park staff. During this adventure you will learn about redwood life, histories, ecology and more! The trail is flat, accessible, and just under one mile long. Meet […]
Ghosts, goblins, boys, and ghouls...join us for the annual Capitola Village Halloween Parade! Lineup begins at 1:30pm in the lower Beach & Village Parking Lot 2 behind the Capitola Police Department. The parade begins promptly at 2pm. The parade will head down Capitola Avenue, wind through Capitola Village to the Esplanade, ending at Esplanade Park, […]
On this 2.5-mile, 2-hour family-friendly walk, you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the Santa Cruz County coastal bluffs. Bring water, a hat, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. Pre-registration required at the link in the orange button above. Meet next to the park map in the main parking lot. Rain […]
Artists set up their easels on the wharf, shore, and streets of beautiful Capitola, to paint live for four days. You'll find hundreds of paintings on display, for sale, and entered into competition. You can take home a piece of Capitola culture, vote for your favorites for the People's Choice Award, have a delicious meal […]
California King Tides are coming to the shores of Santa Cruz County this winter! These naturally occurring and predictable events are when the highest and lowest tides hit our shores and create an even more dramatic coastline. At high tide, the powerful waves often crash against seawalls and extend beyond their usual natural borders. The […]
Enjoy a quiet exploration of Quail Hollow Ranch, under the moonlight. On this one-hour guided hike on the lower trails, you can search for critters and meander through the forest. Bring flashlights and/or a headlamp (though you may try to hike without them), and some drinking water. Dress for the weather and wear good walking […]
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 […]
Check out hundreds of sweet hot rods, street rods, vintage, muscle, custom, and classic cars in the Boardwalk Parking Lot. Free admission!
On 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 […]
The Santa Cruz Antique Faire is on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 9am-5pm, weather permitting. Vendors offer an eclectic blend of antiques and unique items, vintage clothing, collectibles and more! Visit the Antique Faire on Lincoln Street between Pacific and Cedar.
Presenting the Downtown Santa Cruz Fall Wine Walk 2025! Enjoy the heart of the Central Coast to taste great wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains and beyond. Sip while strolling through many favorite Downtown Santa Cruz shops. At Check-in, receive your glass and a map of the pouring locations, and enjoy an afternoon of tasting […]
Enjoy sipping local wines and beers while strolling through our charming shops and boutiques in Capitola by the Sea. Pre-registration includes: – Capitola Village Sip & Stroll commemorative glass – 12 two-ounce pour tickets to be used as you shop – A map to locate which Village shops are hosting Be a part of this […]
This is a walk-in Christmas display located in the midtown of Santa Cruz, CA. Their exhibit is very traditional: lots of Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, miniature village’s, and a log cabin that Santa uses for his rest stops. Being Irish, where you have elves you have fairies, so there is a fairy […]
Learn about fascinating fungi and the basics of mushroom identification; just looking, not eating! Open to ages 8 and up. An adult must accompany ages 17 & under.
