Santa Cruz County
|
Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Receive calendar highlights!
Tell a friend about us |
Featured Events:Holiday Lights TrainChoo, Choo, Santa Claus is coming to town, not by sleigh, not by snow but by Train! Every Fri and Sa (Nov 23-Dec 23) Location: Graham Hill Rd, Felton 
Map
NOVEMBER 23 - 24, DECEMBER 1 - 2, 8 - 9 & 15 - 23 Departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Choo, Choo, Santa Claus is coming to town, not by sleigh, not by snow but by Train! Vintage excursion cars, adorned with thousands of colorful lights, roll through the streets of Santa Cruz as passengers lend their voices to holiday carols, sip hot spiced cider and listen to musical entertainment while Santa visits the little ones, or the young at heart! Continue the merriment with a $6 MyBoardwalk card good for attractions, arcades and games in Neptune's Kingdom. Bring the whole family for festive fun. Happy Holidays!
Dear Santa Letter Download here - Print out your letter to Santa Claus and have Roaring Camp Deliver it by train to the North Pole. Write your letter and bring it with you to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, there will be a North Pole mailbox just outside of the entrance to Neptune's Kingdom by the first car of the train. Roaring Camp will be making a special trip each evening after the Holiday Lights Train to drop off your letters to Santa's Home in the North Pole.
Start a new holiday tradition! Gather your family and friends and celebrate Santa Cruz style with ice skating at the beach! See the new Main Entrance Plaza transformed into a winter wonderland with ice skating, rides, games, festive foods and more!
More info here: https://beachboardwalk.com/Boardwalk-Holiday-Ice |
Search Event Calendar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Family Storytime @ Boulder Creek from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Stories and songs, art activities, games and play for families with children of all ages.
Map
Toddlers (18-30 months) & Parents Support Classes combine the elements of a playgroup, support group and a chance to learn more about your child's development. Come meet other parents and children, observe and discuss child development and build confidence in your parenting skills. Enjoy seeing your child interact with other children and explore an environment set-up with them in mind. Classes are facilitated by experienced and friendly teachers.
Map
Yoga and Ethnobotany in the Arboretum
This fall the UC Arboretum & Botanic Garden is bringing the ancient practice of yoga and using plants as healing agents alive in an ongoing series!
Yoga connects the body and mind through physical practice. Native California plants, suitable to grow in our local climate, have long been known to impact and support health. This series blends the healing elements of yoga and native plants. In doing so, it enhances your knowledge of plant medicine and increases your mind-body connection. You will feel oneness, peace, and bliss in practice with other people while surrounded by a natural landscape.
Yoga and Yoga Breathing techniques will help you by reducing stiffness, increasing the range of motion, and instilling feelings of peace.
Plants, such as Yerba Buena, manzanita, and macadamia nuts, will be introduced to promote and support more profound healing.
Classes are held every Tuesday from 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm and Wednesday morning from 7:30 am - 8:45 am beginning 9/11 and ending 11/7 outdoors near the administrative offices. The class may take place indoors given weather conditions.
Yoga movements introduced will be accessible for beginners and advanced practitioners alike
We provide bolsters, straps, and blankets. Please bring your own mat.
You may sign up for one or as many sessions as you like.
Classes are $17 for non-members and $8 for members.
Map
One-on-One Tech Tutoring
Trying to play with technology and getting frustrated? A tech savvy librarian will provide instruction in the use of a wide range of technology services: How to use free downloadable content available from your library in a number of formats (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming video) Introduction to SCPL databases (i.e. Consumer Reports, Community Information, etc...) Creating an email account Downloading and attaching files Word processing direction and support.
Drop-in weekly appointments, 20 minute slots available. To best support learning, please bring the following items: devices (i.e., laptops, tablets, and/or smartphones), necessary passwords (Google Play, App Store), and library card!
First-come, First-served. FREE
Map
30 Days of Doing is a chance for kids across the nation to do with purpose through hands-on learning. Through activities in agriculture, STEM, community service, healthy living and more, 30 Days of Doing will help kids gain the skills they need to be successful in life-and have fun along the way.
Plus, starting September 1 you could win a $10,000 scholarship for your kid - and your state 4-H program could receive $10,000 to inspire kids in the community!
Submit a photo that shows how your child inspires themselves or others to do with purpose for themselves, their family, their community, their country or the world. Check back September 1 for more details!
There are lots of fun things to "BOO" during Gardens@Night Halloween at Gilroy Gardens! As the sun sets, a mysterious glow illuminates the park for this spooky-but-not-too-scary Halloween event. Go trick-or-treating along the Boo Trail, "Do the Boo" at The Great Big Boo! live musical show, venture into the Spider's Lair (if you dare!), and enjoy your favorite rides in the dark. You'll also find fun food and Halloween treats plus craft beers and local wines at the Marketplace.
Buy Tickets Now: www.gilroygardens.org
The Great Big Boo!
Come "Do the Boo" with a charming cast of spooky characters in our all-new LIVE musical show playing nightly at Lakeside Amphitheater. Meet Vinnie the Vampire, Cranium the Mad Scientist, and Wendella the Witch on a wacky adventure to save Halloween.
Get your 2019 Premium Card now to enjoy Halloween@Night and all of the 2019 season: www.gilroygardens.org
Ride the Boo Train
Climb aboard for a 20-minute ride through the BOO-tiful park at night...with stops along the way to make this a very special BOO-tastic experience! Tickets available for an extra charge.
Open 5-10 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, September 21 - October 28.
Our family of five farmers' markets showcases the best in regional organic produce, pasture-raised meats, eggs and dairy, sustainably-harvested seafoods and artisan-made goods.
Purchasing your food through the area's farmers' markets ensures that you are getting the freshest, healthiest and tastiest foods while supporting local jobs, increasing local spending and promoting the region's strong farming tradition.
We provide direct access to sustainable sources of fresh produce and other unique foods and education about food issues, both local and beyond.
| Santa Cruz/Downtown | Weds 2:30-6:00 | Lincoln & Cedar | Year-round |
| Santa Cruz/West Side |
Sat 9-1 | 2801 Mission | Year-round |
| Scotts Valley | Sat 9-1 | King's Village Dr | April - October |
| Live Oak/East Side |
Sun 9-1 | 15th & Eastcliff Dr | Year-round |
| Felton | Tues 2:30-6:30 | 120 Russell Ave | May - Oct |
Popular Salsa Crash Course Cuban-style for Beginners.
This is a 7-week series class: Wednesdays, Sept 19 to Nov 7, 2018.
From 7pm to 8:15pm. No class Oct 31.
No partner required. Age 16+. Limited space.
This popular crash course offers everyone who wants to learn to dance Salsa a more relaxed but sizzling Cuban flavor.
Learn to dance partner dancing with easy and cool looking moves.
Towards the end of the seven week course we will also introduce Rueda de Casino.
Meet people, have fun and get a workout as your skilled teachers keep you moving in a friendly and non-intimidating atmosphere.
Class offered through the City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.
Cost $70 (city residents)/$84 (non-city residents).
Age 16+. No partner is required. Maximum 18 people.
Need to pre-register at City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation.
Registration open August 6, 2018. Look out for catalog or go online.
Class number: 311 401
www.santacruzparksandrec.com/register
More registration information here:
http://salsagente.com/cuban-style-salsa-classes-location-fees/#register
Map
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.
Submissions close December 12th, 2018
Global finalists announced May 2019
Ride the Pumpkinville Railroad! Take a nostalgic ride aboard our Allan Herschell Iron Horse or our blue and yellow Arrow Streamliner trains. Visit Morgania, where our scarecrows live.
Operates 9am-closing daily.
Get Lost in Kayla's Korn Maze. Try to find your way out of this 2 acre corn maze with interactive trivia cards. Fun for the whole family.
Hay Jump Have the kids jump on this gianormous jumper made of giant haybales. What a great way for the kids to burn some energy!
Operates 9am-closing daily.
Pumpkin Pete's Enchanted Hayride Meet Pumpkin Pete and travel through some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring lands of Uesugi Farms. Visit Pumpkinland, our gorgeous Sunflower Gallery, and the spectacular Marigoldland, filled with over 100,000 hand-sown flowers. This one of a kind hayride is completely narrated and complimented with charming music. It's a must see!
Operates 9am-6:30pm daily.
The Cow Train This may be the silliest fun you have all year! A favorite with the kids!
Operates 9am-closing daily.
Pumpkin Blasters
Come and shoot targets with mini pumpkins out of this gun... at 90mph. What a blast!! Safe for all ages.
Pumpkins for Sale
We have tons of pumpkins to choose from. All sorts of sizes, shapes and varieties. We also sell haybales, corstalks, indian corn, different squashes, gourds and flowers.
Butterfly Valley Take a stroll along this path and learn about the fascinating lives of butterflies through interactive storyboards.
Operates 9am-6:30pm daily.
Bootsie The Bee Follow the corn path to discover all of Bootsie’s colorful, textured friends, and learn fascinating ‘bee-facts’ too. Be sure to visit Bootsie at night. All the storyboards are lit up with blacklights.
Operates 9am-closing daily.
Carousel Everyone can remember riding a carousel as a youngster, and this one rivals the best.
Operates 9am-closing daily.
Pumpkin Blasters Come and shoot targets with mini pumpkins out of this gun… at 90mph.
What a blast!! Safe for all ages.
Operates 9am-closing daily.
Pumpkin Pyramid It takes over 4000 pumpkins to cover our pyramid. A splendiferice site of epic proportions. Have your picture taken while sitting in our king or queen thrones.
Operates 9am-closing daily.
Map
Honey bees are in the news and at the center of attention because of their crucial role as crop pollinators; however, we don't hear much about our native bees who also play an important role in pollination. Join Ornella Bonamassa as she explores basic bee biology and ecology with us. Topics include biology of non-managed bees, their habitats and conservation, similarities and differences among the different types of bees, how to provide pollinator habitat, the impact of pesticides, diseases, and pests, and basic plant biology.
This talk is perfect for beginners to the world of bees who want to begin to delve-in and expand their knowledge base. Please note, we will not be touching on beekeeping itself.
The presentation is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center at the top of the Pajaro Valley High School campus located at 500 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville, CA 95076. is limited. Attendance is free, but you must reserve a seat at https://www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org/events/upcoming-events.
Please arrive early for sign-in and seating in order that the presentation can begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
ABOUT ORNELLA: Ornella Bonamassa was born and raised in Rome, Italy and worked as a seismologist in Rome before coming to Menlo Park to work for the U.S. Geological Survey. She then attended UC Santa Cruz to complete a PhD in Earth Science and has taught math, general science, environmental science, physics and business analytics in San Francisco at USF and the Art Institute. Ornella loves native plants and enjoys learning the differences between what she grew up learning about in Europe with the native species we have in the U.S. She is currently enrolled in a Master's Degree Program in Beekeeping at UC Davis. Ornella is also Watsonville Wetlands Watch's esteemed Administrative Manager.
Map
You can lose yourself in our 6 acre corn field and pumpkin river. Try to challenge yourself intellectually and physically in our 2 acre world famous Minotaur's Labyrinth Hay Maze. Take a walk on the wild side and adventure into our Haunted Barn. Relax and enjoy yourself on our Hay Ride.
Or you can let the kid's play in our Play Land playground with Miniature Hay Maze, on the Children's Train Ride or have fun with our animals in the Petting Zoo. We also have many picnic areas throughout the farm, at Arata Pumpkin Farm we have something for everybody.
We also have dozens of varieties of pumpkins and sizes. We have a special pumpkin for everyone in your family! Feel free to give us a call, send us an email or just come to the farm. We would love to see you.
Our Hours
Monday - Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday - Sunday 9am - 8pm
Family Package $15 per Adult ~ $20 per Child Attraction
A minimum of one paid adult and one paid child, age 10 and under are required to qualify for this package
Map
Hablamos Juntos/Together We Speak
August 8 - October 7, 2018
Curated by Juan R. Fuentes and Michelle P. Mouton, Hablamos Juntos explores visual dialogs created by prominent California Latinx artists at the Pajaro Valley Arts gallery in Watsonville. In this extraordinarily rich exhibit, you will experience how our artists give voice to and navigate: daily life, current events, social, political and cultural issues, community, ethnicity, as well as personal narratives, myths, and history. Click here for a virtual tour. Visit our Facebook page for additional photos.
Artists: Susana Arias, Eduardo Carrillo, Yreina D. Cervántez, Pablo Cristi, Amy Díaz-Infante, Juan R. Fuentes, Daniel Galvez, Lorraine García-Nakata, Carlos Jackson, Carmen León, Jose Lozano, Dionicio Mendoza, Amalia Mesa-Bains, Viviana Paredes, Pancho Rodriquez, Michael Roman, Ivan Rubio, Manuel Santana, Linda Vallejo, Cruz Ortiz Zamarron
A collaboration between Pajaro Valley Arts, Museo Eduardo Carrillo, and the Young Writers Program, this project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Hablamos Juntos exhibit is also presented in partnership with the San Jose Museum of Art, New Terrains collaboration. Through New Terrains: Mobility and Migration, South Bay arts organizations band together to present a series of cross-disciplinary exhibitions, programs and experiences that explore how bodies move through spaces-social, political, literal, and figurative. Projects address timely topics such as transportation and urban planning, navigation and orientation, public protest, immigration and migration, and mobility in its many forms. For more information on New Terrains: https://sjmusart.org/new-terrains/connect
EASY HIKES
Castle Rock Loop Sat & Sun 11am
Trailhead: main parking lot; 1 mile loop; elevation gain 300 feet
Ascend through Douglas-fir, madrone, and tanoak to see the park’s imposing namesake peak—a good spot for bouldering and roped climbs. The surrounding smaller rocks are a great playground for children.
Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike Saturdays at 2:30pm
Join us on a 3-mile, 2.5-hour hike to Castle Rock, Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook. We’ll discuss Castle Rock’s unique geology, rock climbing history, human impacts and important preservationists that helped give Castle Rock State Park the protections we have today. Please bring plenty of water, hiking shoes, snacks, a camera, and binoculars if you have them. Event is free; day use fee for vehicles is $8. Meet at the kiosk. Event made possible by California State Parks in partnership with Portola and Castle Rock Foundation.
MODERATE HIKES
Ridge/Trail Camp Loop
Trailhead: main parking lot, 5.15 miles, elevation gain 1,190 feet
Hike through the forest and past Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock. Enjoy views of the San Lorenzo River Valley and glimpses of Monterey Bay. Learn about history, wildlife, and habitats at the Interpretive Shelter. Castle Rock Trail Camp has picnic tables, pit toilets, water and a rain shelter.
Skyline/Loghry Woods/Saratoga Gap Loop
Trailhead: main parking lot; 6.1 miles roundtrip; elevation gain 750 feet
Head through the forest past Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock. Enjoy views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the San Lorenzo River with glimpses across to Monterey Bay if there’s no fog. Castle Rock Trail Camp has picnic tables, pit toilets, water, and a rain shelter.
STRENUOUS HIKES
Middle of the Park from the Gap Loop
Trailhead: Saratoga Gap; 9 miles roundtrip, elevation gain 1,530 feet.
This challenging hike or run through the forest takes you past mountain and valley views with some glimpses of Monterey Bay on a clear day. Castle Rock Trail Camp has picnic tables, pit toilets, water and a rain shelter. Begin at Saratoga Gap and either go down Saratoga Toll Road Trail or across Skyline Trail (Bay Area Ridge Trail). Close the loop on the Loghry Woods and Travertine Springs trails.
Gap to Gap Loop
Trailhead: Saratoga Gap or Waterman Gap; 16.4 miles round trip, elevation gain 1,860 feet
A good workout for strong trail runners and hikers. You can also backpack and stay overnight at the Waterman Gap Trail Camp (reservations required). Trails are mostly wooded, with occasional views of the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Skyline to the Sea Trailhead: dropoff at Saratoga Gap or park at main parking lot, pickup at Waddell Beach, 25.2–28.2 miles; elevation from 1,660–2,130 feet.
One of the region’s most rewarding backpack options. Start on the spine of the Santa Cruz Mountains and descend to the ocean in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Camp at trail camps along the way. Two to four days of backpacking or four to eight hours of trail running.
Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook Hike
Saturdays at 2:30pm
Join us on a 3-mile, 2.5-hour hike to Castle Rock, Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock Overlook. We'll discuss Castle Rock's unique geology, rock climbing history, human impacts and important preservationists that helped give Castle Rock State Park the protections we have today. Please bring plenty of water, hiking shoes, snacks, a camera, and binoculars if you have them. Event is free; day use fee for vehicles is $8. Meet at the kiosk. Event made possible by California State Parks in partnership with Portola and Castle Rock Foundation.
Map
Sea Otter Awareness Week is an annual recognition of the vital role that sea otters play in the nearshore ecosystem. Each year, zoos, aquariums, natural history museums, marine institutions, filmmakers, researchers, academics, educators, and the public participate in various events and activities highlighting sea otters and their natural history and the various conservation issues facing sea otters. Join the Seymour Center as we celebrate Sea Otter Awareness Week from September 22 - 30, 2018.
Map
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.
FREE, no registration and drop-ins welcome.
This course introduces the student to the practice of mindfulness in daily life. It is informed by theories and practices that draw from contemplative traditions and the disciplines of medicine, psychology, and education. Six themes will be covered: mindfulness of the breath, body, thoughts and feelings; loving kindness and compassion; emotions, and integrating the practices. Each class will follow a similar format: welcome & check-in; short guided meditation; talk by the instructor; mindfulness exercise; processing the exercise (sharing) and Q&A; closing words, homework (not written), and short sit.
Instructor: Sue Doherty Email: sue@storiesmatter.com
Map
Pumpkins are HERE!!
Pumpkins and fun are what it's all about! Come roam through the fields of pumpkins. There are so many varieties to choose from! We have hay bales, scary cutouts, and a 5 acre corn maze! We also have fresh Brussels sprouts on the stalk, artichokes, corn stalks, and gourds.
**Pumpkins are priced by size, not weight.
Choosing your pumpkin:
There are two methods of choosing your pumpkin to carve. The first way is my favorite. As you stroll through the pumpkin patch a certain individual pumpkin will jump out at you! That's the ONE! The other method is to have a pattern or face in mind and look for a pumpkin that will work with your design. Usually a large stem makes a nice addition to the pumpkin.
Remember!. The more unusual the better!
To schedule Pumpkin Patch field trips click here
Directions:
Our Pumpkin Patch, U Pick Em Pumpkins, is located at 4444 Coast Rd. (Hwy 1)
4 miles North of Santa Cruz, California on Hwy. 1. Take Mission Street through the center of town and continue on to Hwy. 1 towards San Francisco/ Halfmoon Bay. We are on the right side just after Dimeo Lane.
Map
Disclaimer: The information and services on the web site are intended to serve as a supplement to your resources. ParentClick, Inc. and its agents and SantaCruzParent.com assume no responsibility for any consequence relating directly or indirectly to any action you take based on the information or material on the website. SantaCruzParent.com does not endorse any business or listings on the classifieds section, including, but not limited to babysitters. This site is to make you aware of choices in your city. Using these business, their services and advice is your decision.
SantaCruzParent.com, Santa Cruz, CA (831) 713-7026 info@SantaCruzParent.com
© 2006 SantaCruzParent.com, All Rights Reserved. Web Site by up2speedsolutions.com
Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train
Add to My Planner
Remove
View my Parent Planner
Blogs
RSS