Annual Events

Tour the Pacific Migrations Center
State Park New Brighton
Self-guided tour highlights history of Pacific Rim migrations
Date: Every Su, Tues, Wed, Th, Fri and Sa from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Ages: 7-12

 Tour the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center at New Brighton State Beach

Come explore the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center at New Brighton State Beach. This free mini-museum highlights the history of Pacific Rim migrations and how they have influenced the Monterey Bay area. 

The exhibits explore the contributions of Chinese fishers, who established fishing camps on the Monterey Bay coastline beginning in the 1850s. Fishers dried and shipped most of their catch to markets up and down the coast, as well as across the Pacific. Chinese fish merchants also sold their fresh catch in local towns. China Beach, as New Brighton was known at the time, lasted until the mid-1880s. 

The center, which is supported by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays. It also includes a ParkStore, offering nature and history-themed merchandise for sale. All proceeds benefit local parks and beaches.

Self-guided tours of the Pacific Migrations Visitor Center are free. Docent-led tours are available for groups. Contact Jean Bernard at the Visitor Center, 831-464-5620, to schedule. Parking at New Brighton State Beach is $10 and supports the park. New Brighton State Beach is located at 1500 Park Ave. in Capitola

Toddler Story Time
Library Central
Date: Every Fri from 10:00am to 11:00am
Ages: 3-6 Admission Fees: free

Toddler Time @ Downtown (10:00 AM-11:00 AM)

Toddler Time is a weekly program for families with children ages 0-3 years old. It includes music, movement, stories, fingerplays, rhymes, songs and fun for your child and you as well as social time with other children and their caregivers. Let's play and learn together!

 

Free Daily Entertainment
Beach Boardwalk
World-class magicians, acrobats, jugglers, and comedians-all performing FREE at two stages inside the park.
Date: Every day (Jun 18-Aug 17) from 12:00pm to 6:00pm

FREE Daily Entertainment

 

Engaging performers invite you to be a part of the show!

World-class magicians, acrobats, jugglers, and comedians-all performing FREE at two stages inside the park.

Neptune's Stage located next to Pirate Ship.
Cave Train Stage located near Cave Train.

The Entertainers and the Schedule

Half Moon Bay State Beach
State Park Half Moon Bay Beach
Junior Rangers, Campfire Programs, Guided walks
Date: Every day (Jun 29-Aug 31) from 11:00am to 3:00pm

Junior Rangers

Fridays and Saturdays at 3pm

Discover the fascinating secrets of the beach! Explore, practice outdoor skills, and play games as you learn about plants, animals, geology, and more. This one-hour program is designed for kids ages 7-12. Sorry parents, this program is for kids only! Please register your child 15 minutes before the program begins at the Francis State Beach Visitor Center. Please be sure your child is dressed for active play in the outdoors. Event is free; day-use fee for vehicles is $10. Events made possible by Coastside State Parks Association, and California State Parks.

 

Campfire Program

Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30pm

Join us in our new campfire center for an evening of song and story. Serenade the glittering stars and learn about beach ecology, creatures of the ocean or stories of the park while relaxing by the beach. Event is free; day-use fee for vehicles is $10. Event made possible by Coastside State Parks Association and California State Parks.

 

Guided Walk: Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park

Sunday, July 22 at 10am 

Journey back in time to discover the lives of early pioneers on this two-mile stroll along Mills Creek at Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park. Meet at the Burleigh Murray parking lot located on Higgins-Purisima Road 1.5 miles east of Highway 1. Bring water and snacks; close toed shoes, layer clothing, and binoculars recommended. Appropriate for children age seven and older accompanied by parent. Rain cancels. For information call (650) 726-8819 or email HMBparksvolunteer@parks.ca.gov.

 

Guided Walk: Sequoia Audubon Trail

Sunday, July 1 at 10am

Sunday, July 15 at 1pm

Join us for a one-mile stroll along the California Coast into the Pescadero Marsh, a popular bird watching location.  Meet at the Pescadero State Beach central parking lot located on Highway 1, one-quarter mile north of Pescadero Creek Road in Pescadero. Bring water, and snacks; close toed shoes, layer clothing, sunscreen and binoculars recommended. Children age 7 and older are welcomed, accompanied by parent. No pets. Rain cancels. For information call (650) 726-8819 or email HMBparksvolunteer@parks.ca.gov.

 

Guided Walk: McNee Ranch, Montara State Beach

Saturday, July 14 at 10am

Join us for a two-mile stroll along the California coast and enjoy stunning views, remnants of the long-gone Ocean Shore Railroad and WWII era bunker. Meet at Gray Whale Cove State Beach Parking Lot on Highway 1 just south of Devil's Slide. Bring water and snacks; close toed shoes, layer clothing, and binoculars recommended. Children age 7 and older are welcomed, accompanied by parent. All pets must be on leash. Rain cancels. For information call (650) 726-8819 or email HMBparksvolunteer@parks.ca.gov

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.

Watsonville Certified Farmers Market
Watsonville Farmers Market
Fresh, locally grown produce on Friday afternoons from 2:30 to 6:30 PM from May to November.
Date: Every Fri from 2:30pm to 6:30pm

An enchanting farmers market with a "mercado" feel. Lots of wonderful produce and prepared foods.

 

The Watsonville Farmers' Market is a member of the California Federation of Certified Farmers' Markets.

 

The Market provides fresh, locally grown produce on Friday afternoons from May to November.

 

Mariachi California de Javier Vargas will play every first Friday of the month from 5-6pm (May-October) at the Watsonville city Plaza

JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY
Scotts Valley Police
Provides students with alternatives to drugs, violence, and other illegal activities through exciting events and educational pro
Date: Every day (May 1-Aug 3)

Special Instructions: June 18-22, July 9-13, July 30-Aug 3

Scotts Valley Police Department·

Registration is now open for all three of our 2018 Junior Police Academy sessions!

 

Dates are currently scheduled for June 18-22, July 9-13 and July 30-Aug 3

 

Our Junior Police Academy has been running since 2000. We offer three week-long sessions, each with room for twenty students. Our program reaches out to students entering 6th, 7th and 8th grades.

 

Registration, cost and further information can be found at the link below, or by calling Det. Mike Birley at 831-440-5656.

https://www.scottsvalleypd.com/juvenile-programs

Carmel Bach Festival
Carmel Bach Festival
Two favorites, but check the entire calendar
Date: Every day (Jul 14-Jul 28)

The Carmel Bach Festival presents two of its most popular chamber concerts at Monterey's San Carlos Cathedral on Thursdays, July 19 and 26, at 5:00. 

The program features Bach Festival orchestra members in Trio Sonatas by Vivaldi and Bach, principal trumpet Robert Farley performing two Baroque trumpet sonatas, and principal keyboardist Andrew Arthur as organ soloist in a concerto by Handel.

San Carlos Cathedral is said to be the most historically significant building in Monterey. It's the oldest building in the city, and the oldest continuously operating church in the state. It's the earliest  California building designed by an architect, and, in 1849, became the state's first cathedral. Extensive conservation and restoration projects in recent years brought the Cathedral back to its original glory.

 

San Carlos Cathedral Tickets

Tales to Tails La Selva Beach
Library La Selva Beach
Date: Every Fri from 3:00pm to 3:30pm
Ages: 13+ Admission Fees: Free

You have plenty of time to participate in this fun reading activity with your family, so contact tales2tails@santacruzpl.org or 831.427.7717 to reserve your spot.

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.

Folk Dancing!
Cabrillo Folk Dancers
Check out these folk dancing events! Balkan, Israeli, International
Date: Every Tues and Fri from 7:30am to 11:00pm

THE HELLADELICS at Live Oak Grange, Santa Cruz CA
Time: 8:00-11:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:30)
Cost: $15.00 (sliding scale) + tips for the band.
Bring: Snacks to share--finger food only, please.Dancing in Santa Cruz for 48+ years.

Join us on Friday evenings...
at: MARKET STREET SENIOR CENTER
222 MARKET STREET, SANTA CRUZ

 

Live music parties will usually happen at the Live Oak Grange in Santa Cruz--depending on availability of the facility and bands. Occasionally we will party at Park Hall in Ben Lomond or at our regular venue, Market Street Senior Center.

Questions? Send email to: cabrillofolk@sbcglobal.net
(Be patient--answers may take a few days... Thanks!)

 

LOCAL CLASSES:
FRIDAY: Cabrillo Folk Dancers--Balkan & International

TUESDAY: Alan Rothchild's Israeli Dance class

FRIDAY: BALKAN-INTERNATIONAL DANCE
Time: Friday, 7:30-10:00 p.m.
(Dancing starts about 7:45...)
EVERY Friday, except on (or near) national holidays. For the health and comfort of members with asthma and allergies, the class is "fragrance-free".
Any schedule changes will be announced on this web site, whenever possible.
Cost: $7.00
MARKET STREET SENIOR CENTER, 222 Market Street, Santa Cruz, CA

In a residential neighborhood, on the surrounding streets. Please be considerate of the neighbors, and don't block driveways.

New to folk dancing or haven't danced in 10-40 years?
Come at the beginning of class, when easier dances are taught.

LIVE MUSIC: Check the Calendar of Events page for the schedule of live music parties and other parties/events of interest.

Questions? Email: cabrillofolk@sbcglobal.net - (answers may take a couple of days...)

TUESDAY--Alan Rothchild's ISRAELI DANCE CLASS
This class has been taught by Alan Rothchild for over 25 years.
Every Tuesday evening, 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
$7.00
Peace United Church of Christ (formerly First Congregational, 900 High Street, Santa Cruz

 

For more information email: rothdance@hotmail.com

Preschool Storytime at Porter Memorial Library
Library Porter Memorial
Preschool Storytime at Porter Memorial Library
Date: Every Fri (Jul 7-Jul 31) from 11:00am to 12:00pm
Ages: Preschool Admission Fees: Free

Join us at this special little library for stories, songs and a craft. The program is about 45 minutes, and is most suitable for 2-5 year olds. The Porter Memorial Library is an independent, volunteer-run library. They are keen to welcome new members, both young and old. This is a Santa Cruz Public Libraries free program.