Annual Events

State Park Pigeon Point Light Station
Date: Every Su, Fri and Sa at 10:00am
Ages: All

The Pigeon Point Lighthouse is currently under repair, but that doesn't mean that the First Order Fresnel Lens can't shine! The Fresnel lens, the original lighthouse beacon, will light up once again from its temporary home in the Visitor Center. As dusk settles, the 24 beams of light provide a dramatic glimpse of how the lighthouse once guided ships passing by this rocky coastline. Bring a flashlight and join us for a unique experience. For more information, call the park at (650) 879-2120 or go online to www.Parks.CA.gov/PigeonPoint. Event is free. Events made possible by Coastside State Parks Association and California State Parks.

* Please note the lighthouse will NOT be lit. The original lighthouse beacon, the First Order Fresnel lens, will be lit but in its temporary location inside the Visitor Center. The lighthouse is being repaired and is currently not accessible to the public.

Tales to Tails - Central
Library Central
Date: Every Sa from 10:00am to 11:30am
Admission Fees: Free

Tales to Tails - Downtown (10:00 AM-11:30 AM)

Trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library to be attentive, non-judgmental reading partners for children reading aloud. Children have individual 20-minute time slots to sit with a dog and read.

 

Contact pro@santacruzpl.org or 831.427.7717 to reserve a spot.

View similar upcoming events: Programs for Kids, Early Literacy, Tales to Tails

West Side Farmers Markets
Santa Cruz Farmers Markets
A moveable feast of fresh, locally grown produce, free-range eggs, grass-fed meats and poultry, baked goods, music and good comp
Date: Every Sa from 9:00am to 1:00pm
Ages: All

The Westside Farmers' Market takes place every week, year round at the corner of Hwy 1 and Western Drive, situated on the northern edge of Santa Cruz's greenbelt. This market serves the communities of the west-end of Santa Cruz including Bonny Doon, the North Coast and the UCSC Campus. It is just a hop, skip and a jump from Downtown.

Foodies Unite

Going into its eleventh year this market is proud to have been named best market by the Santa Cruz Metro's, "Peoples Poll" multiple times. The market showcases a great selection of 100% certified organic produce, artisan foods, wine, body products, tinctures, sustainable seafood, pasture raised meats, flowers and eggs along with cook-to-order cuisine, live local music and full espresso bar operated by up-and-coming Santa Cruz-based roaster 11th Hour Coffee.

With easy access and an abundance of free parking, this market makes for a convenient and celebratory Saturday morning outing.

 

2019 Pop-Up Breakfast Series - Ticket Sales Announced

The 2019 Pop-Up Breakfast Series is coming our way! Once again the Westside Farmers' Market will host three of these farm-to-table, ticketed events. With a great chef line up and a solid reputation, these pop-ups will sell out. Stay in touch by signing up for our newsletter to get your first pick at tickets when they go on sale. Learn more about the events HERE.

 

Market Match

Market Match offers farmers' market customers a dollar for dollar match up to $10 on their CalFresh (food stamp) cards at the Felton market.  If a customer swipes their CalFresh card for $7, they get $7 of Market Match for free, swipe $10, you get $10. The goal of this project is to encourage CalFresh (EBT/SNAP) recipients to take advantage of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables. SCCFM will be offering the Market Match program for the 2019 season. By offering an incentive that lowers the price of fresh produce, we are helping shoppers stretch their food dollars while keeping their families healthy. Locate the information booth and the market manager to redeem EBT coins and to take advantage of the Market Match incentive.

Volunteer in California's Oldest State Park!
State Park Big Basin
We need volunteers!
Date: The 2nd Sa of every month from 9:00am to 3:00pm

Volunteer with the Trail Crew Saturdays

Since 1969 the Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew has helped make it possible for others to safely enjoy the beauty of our park. The Trail Crew meets the second Saturday of each month, rain or shine. A typical workday lasts until mid-afternoon. Please bring your own work gloves, lunch and water. Join us for a unique perspective of Big Basin, a lively and productive experience with others who share a love of these redwood forests, and the satisfaction of participating in a vital part of the park's ability to educate and inspire the public! Meet at Park Headquarters.

Evening Art Program
State Park Henry Cowell
Activities will range from sketching and watercolor to nature journaling and more
Date: Every Sa at 1:00pm

Evening Art Program
Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Join us in the campfire center for a family friendly arts and crafts program. All ages welcome. Topic changes week to week and activities will range from sketching and watercolor to nature journaling and more! Meet at the Henry Cowell Redwoods Graham Hill Campground, located off Graham Hill Road in Scotts Valley. No experience necessary. Event is free; parking is $10. Events made possible by Mountain Parks Foundation and California State Parks.

Do It Yourself Craft
Library La Selva Beach
Date: Every Sa from 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Ages: 3-6

Do-It-Yourself Craft @ La Selva Beach Library (1:30 PM-4:30 PM)

Join the fun on Saturdays between 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm.

Little Rangers Portola
State Park Portola Redwoods
Explore Portola Redwoods State Park
Date: Every Su and Sa at 10:00am

Little Rangers

Saturdays and Sundays at 10am

All 3 to 6 year olds and their families are invited to learn, play, and laugh together at this 30 minute program. Activities, songs, stories, and silliness will help our youngest visitors find a connection to the redwood forest and all of its inhabitants. Adult supervision is required and participation is encouraged. Meet at the visitor center. Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 291-8273. Event made possible by Portola and Castle Rock Foundation and California State Parks.

Family Arts & Crafts- Garfield Park
Library Garfield
Date: Every Sa from 11:00am to 1:00pm
Ages: 3-6

Get crafty! A Do-It-Yourself craft will be ready and waiting for families, independent-minded kids and teens! Children 8 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike
State Park Castle Rock
Castle Rocks unique geology, rock climbing history, human impacts and various important preservationists
Date: Every Sa (Oct 6-Nov 24) at 11:00am

Special Instructions: 10/6, 20, 27

Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike

Saturdays at 11am

Join us on a hike to Castle Rock, Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook. During this trip, we will discuss Castle Rocks unique geology, rock climbing history, human impacts and various important preservationists that helped give Castle Rock State Park the protections we have today. This 3 mile, 2.5-hour hike is considered moderate due to the rocky sections that require the use of hands and feet to climb over. Please bring plenty of water, hiking shoes, snacks, a camera, and binoculars if you have them. We will meet at the kiosk at 15000 Skyline Blvd. Los Gatos, CA to begin our hike. Event is free. Day use fee for vehicles is $8. Event made possible by California State Parks in partnership with Portola and Castle Rock Foundation.

 

 

Second Saturday on the Farm
Ag History Project
Join us for demonstrations using antique farm equipment, crafts, farm animals, wooden cow milking, water pumps, learning to driv
Date: The 2nd Sa of every month from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Ages: All Admission Fees: $2/person Kids under 1 are free

Every month we produce a 2nd Saturday on the Farm, a family event that focuses on a particular area of agriculture each month. Visitors can participate in the regular activities of the Ag History Project plus others related to the day's special focus. We host over 2,500 visitors each year at 2nd Saturday on the Farm.

 

We have created some unique interactive educational activities to help you have fun learning about past agricultural practices. What we like to call our "usual" activities include:

• Wooden cow milking: we have life-size wooden cows with rubber teats that help you learn how to milk a cow.
• Kid-driven tractor: we retrofitted a John Deere tractor so that anyone can learn to drive it. You sit in the seat and control the steering wheel while a trained volunteer stands on a platform to your right to controls the speed. We even have space for a parent or friend to stand to your left and enjoy the ride.
• We are currently working on creating a stationary tractor that you can drive down a crop row and the computer screen in front of you displays how well you are handling the tractor.

DIY Family Crafts @ Branciforte
Library Branciforte
Date: Every Sa from 11:00am to 4:00pm

DIY Family Crafts @ Branciforte (11:00 AM-4:00 PM)
Location: Branciforte Branch
Drop in with your family and make something fun!

Reading In the Redwoods
Library Felton
Join our monthly book club!
Date: Every Su and Sa from 2:00pm to 4:30pm

Reading in the Redwoods book group meets monthly at the Felton Library on the fourth Wednesday at 6:15 pm.

 

Copies of the book are usually available at the Felton branch library.

For more information call 427-7708 or drop by the branch.

 

To be added to the book group email list, please call 831-427-3151.

Google Science Fair
Google
Google Science Fair is an online science competition, open to students between the ages of 13 and 18 from around the world.
Date: Every day (Sep 13-Dec 12)

Google Science Fair is an online science competition, open to students between the ages of 13 and 18 from around the world.

 

You can sign up starting September 13th 2018 by visiting googlesciencefair.com and clicking on the Start your project button. If you're not sure where to start, you can get help by taking a look at our Student resources and checking out some out some of our previous winners.

 

 

This competition is open to full-time and home-schooled students around the world, between ages of 13 and 18 (these ages are slightly different in a few countries like Israel, South Korea and Europe). See the Official Rules for more details.

You can win amazing prizes.

 

Submissions close December 12th, 2018

Global finalists announced May 2019

Big Love - Photo Exhibit
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter
Club offers opportunities for young animal lovers
Date: Every day (Oct 1-Oct 31)

Special Instructions: Starts up in October

Big Love - Photo Exhibit
A Pit Bull Advocacy Project

The Shelter's Monday afternoon photo team is exhibiting photos at the County Government Center, 1st Floor, 701 Ocean. St., Santa Cruz, through the month of October.

 

You are invited to stop by!

Brainfuse - Homework Help
Libraries
Brainfuse: Free online homework help for students of all ages.
Date: Every day

Free Academic Help at All Levels.

 

Brainfuse offers live online tutoring in elementary, middle school, high school, college, and adult education.

 

Live Tutoring: Students draw or type their question in our online classroom and receive live homework assistance from a Brainfuse-certified tutor. Our tutors don't simply give answers but help students master underlying academic concepts.

 

SkillSurfer: SkillSurfer includes an extensive library of Brainfuse-created lessons, video tutorials, and practice tests in a wide range of academic subjects, and further integrates them with live tutoring.

Ranch History Tours
State Park Wilder Ranch
History comes alive at Wilder Ranch State Park on the weekends
Date: Every Su and Sa at 1:00pm
Ages: All Admission Fees: $10 parking

Ranch History Tours

Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm

Monday, September 3 at 1pm

Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1897 Victorian home, 1859 Gothic Revival farmhouse, 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns and other historic buildings. Event is free; parking is $10. Please call the park to confirm at (831) 426-0505. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

 

Life on the Ranch Day - The Early Days on a Dairy Farm
State Park Wilder Ranch
Experience the Victorian era!
Date: Every Su and Sa
Ages: All Admission Fees: Free
Special Instructions: Weekends from 11:00am-3:00pm, tours of the ranch houses at 1:00pm

Life on the Ranch Day - The Early Days on a Dairy Farm
Saturday, August 11 from 11am to 3pm

 

Wilder Ranch State Park invites you to experience old-time activities from its rancho, dairy farm, and cowboy rodeo days. Hands-on activities and living history presentations may include butter churning, ice cream making, roping skills, and demonstrations in the ranch buildings. Come for a picnic on the lawn and follow it up with a game of tug of war, sack races, hoops, stilts, and Wilder Ranch's famous old-fashioned bubbles! This event is appropriate for all ages. Event is free; parking is $10. Please call the park to confirm at (831) 426-0505. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

 

Open Studios 2018
Santa Cruz Art League
Wonderful opportunity to see the amazing art of local artists and chat with them in their studios
Date: Every Su and Sa (Oct 3-Oct 21) from 11:00am to 5:00pm

Open Studios is a free self-guided tour, produced by Arts Council Santa Cruz County, that invites the public into more than 300 artist studios across Santa Cruz County. Open Studios 2018 takes place the first three weekends of October, from 11am to 5pm Saturdays and Sundays.

 

South County: October 6 & 7
North County: October 13 & 14
All County: October 20 & 21

 

Questions: Contact Open Studios Director Ann Ostermann, 831-475-9600 x17, ann@artscouncilsc.org

 

The Tour takes place throughout Santa Cruz County, from the redwoods to the sea.

 

Plan Your Tour

Pick up an Artist Guide

The 2018 Open Studios Artist Guide is FREE and available alongside the Good Times at locations throughout Santa Cruz County (while supplies last) or at any of these outlets. 

 

Visitors

Visiting from out of town? Make it a weekend (or three)! We've partnered with Hotel Paradox to bring an artful lodging experience to your Open Studios adventure. Request the "Arts Council" rate and save 15%. Reserve online using promo code 13701 or call 877-425-7100. You can also email ann@artscouncilsc.org to request a guide be shipped to you.

 

Download the App

Free app (or app update) available October 1, 2018. If you downloaded the App to an iPhone or iPad in 2016 or 2017 you will be able to install an update.. Or download for the first time via iTunes or Google Play. Search keyword "Open Studios Art Tour".

 

Preview Exhibits

SANTA CRUZ ART LEAGUE

SEPT 29 - OCT 21

Chart your tour at this exhibit, showcasing artwork from 300+ participating artists.

Tues-Fri: 11am-5pm Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm Mon: Closed First Friday: Oct 5th, 5-9pm

Public Reception: Sun Sept 30, 3-6pm Bring your friends and join us at the kick-off party. Free valet bike parking.

Details here.

 

R. BLITZER GALLERY

OCT 5 - 14

Featuring artists exclusive to Davenport, Bonny Doon, San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, La Selva Beach, and Watsonville.

Sat-Sun: Oct 6-7 & 13-14, 11am-5pm. First Friday: Oct 5th, 5-9pm

Details here.

 

Follow the Green Signs

Another popular tour strategy is to choose a neighborhood and then follow the signs. Each studio puts out large lime green signs pointing to their location.

Arboretum Tour of What's in bloom
Arboretum
Free guided tour with paid admission, $3
Date: Every Sa

Special Instructions: $5 for Adults and $2 for Children (6 to 17 years old), and free under 6

Join staff & docents on a tour of what's in bloom.

Free Guided Tour, 1st Saturday, every month, Free with your Arboretum admission. 

 

Admission to the Arboretum

• The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum is open from 9:00 to 5:00 every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. A visit is worthwhile any time of the year.
• $5 for Adults and $2 for Children (6 to 17 years old), and free under 6.
• Free to those going only to shop at Norrie's.
• Free to UCSC students
• Free to Friends of the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum members and Arboretum volunteers
• Free to members of gardens participating in the American Horticulture Society (AHS) Reciprocal Admissions Program
• Free on first Tuesday of each month, Community Day.
• Docent-lead tours can be arranged by advance request. The $10 per person cost includes admission to the Arboretum.

 

Aptos Farmers Market
Aptos Farmers Market
An upbeat and relaxed market with music, many special events to be enjoyed. Market is open year round, rain or shine.
Date: Every Sa from 8:00am to 12:00pm

Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College,

Voted America's Favorite Farmers Market in California

In 2011, 2012, and 2013 our farmers markets were voted "America's Favorite Farmers Market in California." Additionally, Coastal Living Magazine named the Aptos Farmers Market one of "The Coast's Best Farmers Markets."

Market customers appreciate the bountiful selection of top quality produce and specialty foods as well as the opportunity to connect with the farmers and vendors who produce it. Ninety vendors, of which most are certified organic or use sustainable farming methods, offer pastured grass fed meats and poultry, sustainable fish, oysters, handcrafted cheeses, locally produced olive oil, fresh pasta and gourmet sauces, organic juices, handmade sauerkraut, Corralitos smoked sausages and bacon, artisan breads and baked goods, organic honey, mushrooms, sprouts and microgreens, farm fresh eggs, flowers, potted plants, seedlings, herbs, and an unsurpassed selection of certified California grown fruits, vegetables and nuts.

 

Additional Market Attractions
Professional sharpening services are available for knives and gardening tools year round.

 

Market Newsletter and Recipes Blog
Subscribe to free monthly e-newsletter for market updates, featured monthly produce, and upcoming special events. Visit our market's award winning companion website www.edibleparadise.com for delicious seasonal recipes.

 

Market Information

Season: Open year-round, rain or shine
Day and Hours: Open Saturdays, 8 am until 12 pm
Location:  Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Parking: Lots of free parking, easy access
Map:   Driving directions »
Vendors:  Aptos Farmers and Vendors List »