DEC 15, 2024 - MAR 31, 2025 SANTA CRUZ: Stroll over sand dunes, enjoy beautiful ocean views, and gain a unique opportunity to view Northern elephant seals on this 3-mile, 2.5-hour guided trail! Layered clothing, closed-toed shoes, and rain/wind gear are strongly advised. Bring water. Food, umbrellas, and strollers are not permitted inside the preserve.
JAN 1 - OCT 31 MONTEREY: Old Fisherman’s Wharf is pleased to announce a special milestone: its 180th anniversary and will celebrate with a variety of special promotions and events throughout 2025. For starters, Old Fisherman’s Wharf is commemorating the Wharf's 180 years of fishing, delivering, and cooking fresh calamari in a variety of delicious […]
JAN 4-MAR 30 SANTA CRUZ: Learn about California's own Coastal Redwood Forest, aboard a 100-year-old steam train. Along the journey, you will get to hear fascinating information about the coastal redwoods and their ecosystems from docent specialists.
MAR 1-20 SANTA CRUZ: Come celebrate the beginning of hummingbird migration season with a visit to the Arboretum! This time of year, the Arboretum hosts both Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds, the two most common species in Northern California. “The density of hummingbirds—the number per area in the Arboretum—is ridiculously high,” says Bruce Lyon, professor of […]
SANTA CRUZ: Get hooked on Santa Cruz County. Get hooked on zinfandel wine. Get hooked on a Mystery Series centered around both! At the Mortal Zin Mystery Series launch event, you will meet the author and a longtime resident of Santa Cruz County, Diane Schaffer. The Mortal Zin Mystery Series is rooted in her summer […]
MAR 6-8 WATSONVILLE: The Watsonville Film Festival promotes Latin and indigenous cultural traditions with free events for the community throughout the year. The 13th annual festival officially begins with cinema for the people by the people on March 6th.
MAR 7 - MAR 9 MONTEREY: The Jazz Bash By the Bay Monterey takes place in the Conference Center and Portola Hotel & Spa with 8 venues and 6 dance floors. Enjoy the colorful forms of American Classic Jazz including Traditional, Ragtime, Swing, Gypsy, and Blues.
SANTA CRUZ: Make a fresh water pearl bracelet with sterling silver chain and a silver clasp. Santa Cruz jeweler, Lisa Dogget demonstrates and guides participant through the whole process. You will learn basic wire wrapping technique to connect the pearls to the chain. Lisa provides the all the tools and needed supplies i.e. silver chain, […]
SANTA CRUZ: 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 […]
MAR 8-9 SANTA CRUZ: The Toyota USA Surfing Prime Series is the highest level of junior surfing in the nation, featuring the best under 18 surfers who have proven themselves in local and regional competitions. Head out to Lighthouse Point to watch them surfing in iconic Steamer Lane.
SANTA CRUZ: Celebrate Women’s History month by attending this free event paying tribute to the stories of remarkable women who have left an indelible mark on Santa Cruz County. There will be guest speakers, hands-on activities, Performances, and much more! By the end of the event, you will learn ways you can act right now […]
MAR 14-16 SCOTTS VALLEY: The Hitchcock Festival offers a rich tapestry of activities, blending screenings of classics with insightful analyses and discussions. These sessions, led by film scholars and experts, provide a deeper understanding of Hitchcock’s work. The festival also features keynote talks, panel discussions, and a special fashion show inspired by the iconic styles […]
MONTEREY/SEASIDE - "Paradise Blue" a production by the UCSC African American Theater Troupe sponsored by Monterey Peninsula Foundation. Event held at Oldemeyer Center in Seaside. FREE.
MAR 15-16 MONTEREY: Two days of stories, celebration and send-off festivities. Eighty-five years ago, the Western Flyer set sail for the Gulf of California with what the Monterey Peninsula Herald described as “perhaps the strangest crew ever signed aboard a local workboat”. Among them were renowned author John Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts, embarking on the journey […]
MAR 22-23 SANTA CRUZ: The National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) is one of the few national youth sports organizations that require its participants to maintain academic standards in order to compete. Head over to the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse on West Cliff Drive, and look out at the competing youth surfers in the iconic Steamer […]
SANTA CRUZ: During this program, you will be introduced to a craft used by indigenous peoples around the world: coiled basketry. CA basketry is some of the most ornate in the world, and this opportunity will pique your interest in learning more about, and supporting traditional arts. This 2-hour workshop will teach you how to […]
MORGAN HILL: Immerse yourself in a Night of Old Italy! Your ticket includes: A delicious 5-course wine-paired dinner featuring finest selections. George Guglielmo will personally guide you through the evening, sharing the rich history behind each vintage. Gourmet cuisine crafted by Fire 4 Hire. An intimate evening in the elegant Indoor Heritage Room. SPACE IS LIMITED.
SANTA CRUZ: Go outside and learn to paint gouache and watercolor landscapes while surrounded by nature as inspiration. This open-air art workshop will teach the techniques necessary to capture environmental perspectives through the creative use of negative space, layering, various stroke techniques, and more.
MAR 28-30 SANTA CRUZ: The star event at the Santa Cruz Paddlefest (SCPF) is held at the world-famous Steamer Lane surf break found along West Cliff Drive in the heart of Santa Cruz, California. Paddle surfers have flocked to Santa Cruz from around the globe for over 33 years to surf, compete, and connect with […]
SANTA CRUZ: Make your own set of four tumblers or vases out of wine bottles or a glass vase! Annie will teach you how to “hot pop” the tops off of wine bottles, sand the edges, and create a beautiful set of recycled pieces.
SANTA CRUZ: Swap out your flip flops for running shoes and join the fun with this family-friendly race through the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk! Run a 1k or a 5k, on this flat course and then enjoy what the boardwalk has to offer, including rides, games,
SANTA CRUZ: Dive deep into the Wines of the Santa Cruz Mountains and discover more than 40 wineries – all in one location – at the 2025 Grand Wine Tasting! Explore the stunning grounds and breathtaking views of The Mountain Winery while you sip award-winning wines, and bid on more than 50 exciting silent auction […]
SANTA CRUZ: The Vive Oaxaca Guelaguetza is an authentic cultural festival with food, music, dance, music, and crafts presented each spring by Senderos. This local festival is like the traditional fiestas celebrated each summer in Oaxaca, Mexico. Guelaguetza is a Zapotec word that means “a commitment of sharing and cooperation.” Guelaguetza is a celebration that […]