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!

Quail Hollow: Full Moon Hike

Quail Hollow: Full Moon Hike

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park 800 Quail Hollow Road, Felton, CA, United States

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 […]

Free

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Birdwatching Hike

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground 2591 Graham Hill Rd, Scotts Valley, CA, United States

Spend the morning with resident and migratory birds of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park! On this 1 mile stroll, which will last approximately 1.5 hours, participants have the opportunity to observe, and listen to, a handful of bird species in the park. This program is recommended for ages 8 and up. Children must be accompanied […]

Free
UCSC Arboretum: First Saturday Tours

UCSC Arboretum: First Saturday Tours

UC Santa Cruz Arboretum 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your understanding of the Arboretum’s plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide and the people who join in. You might learn more about the birds and […]

$10

Big Basin Redwoods SP: See Oldest State Park Recover

Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United States

Join a Volunteer Docent or State Park Interpretive Staff on a guided walk through the iconic Redwood Loop at Big Basin! This program is a 1 hour walk on a 0.6 mile, flat and easy trail designed for all ages. Learn about the natural and cultural history of Big Basin and how the forest is […]

Free

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Redwood Grove Guided Walk

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United States

Experience an old-growth redwood forest filled with ancient trees over 200 ft. tall, and connect one on one with park staff. On this 1-mile stroll, you will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc., and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. You don't want to miss this! Meet me at the visitor center. Although […]

Free

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park: Forbidden Sandhills Hike

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park 800 Quail Hollow Road, Felton, CA, United States

Join a guided hike with a Park Docent to see and learn about the many rare species that make this special place their home. This is the only time to visit the flower-covered hills of the sandhills habitat. Wear good walking shoes, Due to the sensitive nature of the area, group size is limited to […]

Free

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Fuel Reduction Workday

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground 2591 Graham Hill Rd, Scotts Valley, CA, United States

On Fuel Reduction Workday, in which park staff manually clear fallen debris in select areas of the Redwood Grove, and by doing so, reduce the fuel load and restore old-growth habitat. Park staff will facilitate organizing this debris into brush piles. Participants should be prepared to help with a fair deal of manual labor. This […]

Free

Downtown Felton: Classic Car Show

Scarborough Ace Hardware Parking Lot 9470 Highway 9, Felton, United States

Check out this micro tour of Felton, CA! Grab a coffee, explore downtown Felton and enjoy this classic car show! This free event will have old cars galore to show off in the new Ace Hardware parking lot. Why not combine a peek of the cars with a peek of this gorgeous downtown area?

Free
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Sandhills Tour

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Sandhills Tour

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground 2591 Graham Hill Rd, Scotts Valley, CA, United States

Get ready to hike around an ancient seafloor! On this 1.5 mile hike through the Sandhills, which will last approximately 2 hours, participants can meander through sandy soils on the mountain top, about 800 feet above present day sea level. Explore this beautiful landscape and learn about the rare and unique things that call it […]

Free
Loch Lomond Recreation Area: Boat Tours

Loch Lomond Recreation Area: Boat Tours

Loch Lomond 100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton, CA, United States

Starting in April, on both Saturday and Sunday of the second weekend of each month, the City of Santa Cruz staff will lead tours of Loch Lomond Reservoir on the Newell Jewell (pontoon boat).  The tours start at 11AM on both days and lasts about an hour. Attendance is limited to 25 people and is […]

Free
Downtown Santa Cruz: Antiques Faire

Downtown Santa Cruz: Antiques Faire

Downtown Santa Cruz Antique Faire Lincoln Street (between Pacific and Cedar), Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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.

Abbott Square: Free Fashion Show

Abbott Square 118 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Forget Milan, go see Santa Cruz, vintage and thrift central. What better way to celebrate upcycle culture, than with the first annual Vintage Walk Fashion Show? Contestants for the Vintage Walk Fashion Shown will have acquired their threads in the Downtown Santa Cruz Vintage Walk the same weekend. Each strut, hop, or walk on the […]

Free

Big Basin Redwoods SP: Guided Plant Walk

Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United States

Want to learn about the plants that thrive at Big Basin? Curious about what plants can be used as food or medicine? Bring your “eye spy” skills on this fun and engaging plant walk. One of the park docents will lead this gentle walk, where folks of all ages can learn the names and uses […]

Free

Big Basin Redwoods SP: Bio Blitz Tour

Big Basin Redwoods State Park 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek, CA, United States

Be a Citizen Scientist at Big Basin Redwoods State Park Join the Earth Day BioBlitz at Big Basin Redwoods State Park and help document how the forest is recovering after the 2020 wildfire. You will search for and record plants, animals, fungi, and insects within the park. Bring your smartphone with the iNaturalist app installed, […]

Free
Unplug & Reconnect: Weekend Retreat

Chaminade Resort and Spa: Wellness Retreat

Chaminade Resort and Spa 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Unplug & reconnect where ocean and forest meet. This two-night weekend wellness retreat at Chaminade Resort & Spa (Santa Cruz, Ca) invites you to lean into the steady heartbeat of the redwoods and soothing rhythm of the Pacific Ocean for a lasting reset. Dive into the healing properties of the forest and ocean - returning […]

$1,650

Loch Lomond: Newell Creek Flora Loch Walk

Loch Lomond 100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton, CA, United States

This month’s nature hike at Loch Lomond Recreation Area will feature noted botanist Andy Werner, who will discuss native plant species found in the Newell Creek watershed. In addition to native plant species, park rangers will provide information on water system operations and watershed lands management.   The monthly “Loch Walks” are included in the entry […]

Free

Henry Cowell Redwoods SP: Tree Identification

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United States

During this program, you'll learn about a few in-tree-guing plant species residing in the Santa Cruz Mountains! On this 1 mile walk, you'll be chattin' about tree identification with a local expert and observing a handful of species along River Trail and in the adjacent Redwood Grove. Beleaf us, it'll be a great time! Although […]

Free

FitzWERC: Plant Sale

Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center 500 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville, United States

The Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center (FitzWERC) is an indoor-outdoor wetlands learning center that includes a visitor center, classroom and wet lab, a greenhouse, and a demonstration native plant garden. The FitzWERC borders over 1000 acres of protected wetlands and their watershed. Head to this family friendly place for nature interaction on the day they […]

Free

Roberts Ranch: Mother’s Day Workshops

Roberts Ranch Vineyards 875 Roberts Road, Ben Lomond, CA, United States

Enjoy a Cottage Lunch on the winery Terrace and visit 3 workshop stations to make take-home gifts! Moms, mentors, friends welcome! Bring along the special gals in your life as you celebrate Mom's Weekend at Roberts Ranch with a Cottage Lunch & Wine on the Terrace and a Triple Mini Workshop down at the Crush […]

$87.21

Roaring Camp Railroads: Mother’s Day Brunch

Roaring Camp Railroads 5400 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, United States

Treat Mom to something memorable on her special day with a delectable Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet accompanied with live music. After a lovely brunch, relax with a train ride through the towering redwoods. ACTIVITIES: Hallcrest Vineyards Brunch at Bret Harte Hall Live Music from Rory Lynch NEW! Tintype family portraits by the Midnight Oil Collective […]

$33.87 – $49.87

Loch Lomond: Spring Birding Loch Walk

Loch Lomond 100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton, CA, United States

Bay Area ornithologist Alex Rinkert will lead a short interpretive hike around Loch Lomond with a focus on bird identification by sight and sound. This free event is a great opportunity to learn from an experienced ornithologist! See the many perching birds, raptors, and waterfowl that frequent Loch Lomond. Layered clothing, snacks, water, bird guidebooks […]

Free

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Season Opening Fireworks

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Celebrate the beginning of the summer season with a free fireworks show in front of the Santa Cruz Boardwalk!

Free
Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

Santa Cruz Harbor: Free Water Taxi

Santa Cruz Harbor 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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 District’s website to view the map for all water taxi pick-up and drop-off locations […]

Free

Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show

Capitola Village Capitola Village, Esplanade Park, Capitola, CA, United States

Cruise starts at 8:30 AM Saturday at the Boardwalk to Capitola. Entire event in Capitola is 9:00 AM-5:00 PM Saturday.

Free

Loch Lomond: Aquatic Species Loch Walk

Loch Lomond 100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton, CA, United States

Take a scenic walk around Loch Lomond with City Water Resources Analyst, Michelle Tarian. They will be pointing out things to notice on your walk you may have never considered, discussing what has happened with invasive species throughout Santa Cruz County. They will talk about actions being taken at Loch Lomond for native species. This […]

Free

Woodies on the Wharf

Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 3:30 PM- Woodies Parade off the Wharf

Free

Pleasure Point: Street Fair

Pleasure Point Portola Drive between 38th and 41st Avenues, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Pleasure Point will be buzzing as the community takes to the street to enjoy the Pleasure Point Street Fair. This event will be held on Portola Drive between 41st and 38th Avenues. There will be bike parking available, and admission is free. There will be great music, fun for kids, vendors, a beer garden, great […]

Free

Aptos: “World’s Shortest Parade”

Aptos Village 448 Granite Way, Aptos, CA, United States

Welcome to the world's shortest parade this July Fourth! The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of Soquel Drive and State Park Drive and will continue along Soquel Drive to Parade St. Roads will close at 9:30am.

Loch Lomond: Water Quality Loch Walk

Loch Lomond 100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton, CA, United States

This Loch Walk coincides with the international Secchi Dip-In annual event!  Participate in citizen science recognized around the world by heading to the hidden gem of Loch Lomond in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  Simple enough for children to use, the Secchi Disk is a diagnostic tool created in 1865 to measure water clarity.  Participants in […]

Audrey Stanley Grove: Shakespeare In The Park

Audrey Stanley Grove in DeLaveaga Park 501 Upper Park Rd, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Head to DeLavega Park to enjoy the full outdoor theatre experience! You can bring your own picnic basket and drinks to enjoy the picnic bluff area or check out concession options before you go! Why not grab some wine from the Santa Cruz mountains and a curated charcuterie box to make it a picnic and […]

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Native Garden Workday

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park 101 N Big Trees Park Rd, Felton, CA, United States

Take your heritage tourism to the biological level!  Maintain and nurture native plant specimens and give the state park garden an overall sprucing-up! Participants should be prepared to get their hands dirty and spend time with some neat, native plants. This workday you will meet volunteers in front of the Nature Store at the head […]

Free

Downtown Boulder Creek: Summer Carnival

Boulder Creek Boulder Creek, CA, United States

Enjoy games with prizes all along downtown Boulder Creek! There will be a kid zone, photo booth, vendors and more!

Free

Loch Lomond: Turtle Loch Walk

Loch Lomond 100 Loch Lomond Way, Felton, CA, United States

Explore a western pond with City Water Resources Analyst,  Jenny Viera. As essential ecosystem engineers, turtles maintain ecological balance, such as cycling nutrients and creating burrows for other wildlife. Protecting them also preserves biodiversity and cultural heritage. The monthly “Loch Walks” are included in the entry fee for the Recreation Area. There is a $10.00 […]

Free

SC Beach Boardwalk: Band Review

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

Go see an exciting musical parade as 55 Northern California high school and junior high school marching bands compete next to the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in the ONLY band review with warm sand, cool surf, and hot rides!

SC Beach Boardwalk: Chili Cook-Off

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

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!

Santa Cruz County: King Tides

Santa Cruz County: King Tides

All of Santa Cruz County

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 […]