eventFree
Día de los Muertos Celebration at the MAH
The MAH's community Día de los Muertos celebration with traditional music, dance and art.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026
- Hours
- 12-3pm
- Cost
- Free (RSVP)
- Where
- 705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
County guide
Things to do in Santa Cruz County
30 outings for families, couples, seniors and groups, each linked to its source.
Outings near you
🌳19 picks
Family Outings
Redwood steam trains, the Boardwalk's Winter Wonderland, tide pools and holiday parades.
eventFree
Haunted Harbor
An afternoon of spooky fun and trick-or-treating at Santa Cruz Harbor.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026
- Hours
- 3-6pm
- Where
- 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
eventFree
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Free holiday admission to the Boardwalk: a tunnel of lights, festive decor, free light shows every 15 minutes from 5 to 8pm in the Main Plaza, photos with Santa and 10-15 rides (weather permitting), with $2 rides after 5pm.
- Dates
- Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- Hours
- 12-7pm: Nov 26-29; Dec 5-6 and 12-13; daily Dec 19-Jan 3
- Cost
- Free admission; rides extra
- Where
- 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
Holiday Lights Train
Vintage excursion cars covered in thousands of lights roll through the streets of Santa Cruz, with a holiday sing-along, live music, hot spiced cider and a visit from Santa. One-hour ride on Roaring Camp's Beach Train.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026 – Dec 23, 2026
- Hours
- Departs 5pm and 6:30pm
- Cost
- Canopy cars adults $58.25, children $38.11; first-class coach adults $74.15, children $48.71; under 2 free (includes a $10 myboardwalkcard)
- Where
- Departs in front of the Merry-Go-Round, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
Holiday Tree Walk at Roaring Camp
Ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the winter redwoods to Bear Mountain, sip hot cider with Santa Claus, then enjoy winter-themed activities in town. 75-minute train ride.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026 – Dec 23, 2026
- Hours
- Nov 27-29, Dec 5-6, 12-13 and 19-23
- Cost
- Tickets required
- Where
- 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018
eventFree
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
The official kickoff to the holidays downtown, with about 1,200 participants from Santa Cruz County schools, youth organizations and local nonprofits, and over 3,000 spectators. Rain or shine.
- Dates
- Dec 5, 2026
- Hours
- 10am
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Downtown Santa Cruz
eventFree
Lighted Boat Parade at Santa Cruz Harbor
The Santa Cruz Yacht Club's 39th annual parade of 50 decorated power and sailboats through the harbor, rain or shine. Hot drinks and snacks are available around the south harbor.
- Dates
- Dec 5, 2026
- Hours
- 5:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
event
Chanukah Train
One-hour ride through the streets of Santa Cruz with Chanukah music, warm latkes and hot apple cider from Chabad by the Sea, plus festive games and prizes.
- Dates
- Dec 10, 2026
- Hours
- Menorah lighting 5:15pm; train departs 5:30pm
- Cost
- Tickets required
- Where
- Departs from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
bowling
Boardwalk Bowl
Bowling alley a block from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, open until midnight daily.
- Hours
- Mon-Thu 11am-12am; Fri-Sun 10am-12am (holiday hours daily 9am-12am)
- Where
- 115 Cliff Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
marketFree
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market
Wednesday afternoon farmers market in downtown Santa Cruz, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Wed 12:30-5pm
- Where
- Cedar St & Church St, Santa Cruz, CA
marketFree
Felton Farmers Market
Tuesday afternoon farmers market in Felton, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Tue 1:30-5:30pm
- Where
- 120 Russell Ave, Felton, CA
state park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
A 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods on a flat 0.8-mile loop, where the tallest tree stands about 277 feet. Step inside the hollow Fremont Tree, then explore river, sandhills and grassland trails. Guided Redwood Grove walks are on the park's event calendar.
- Hours
- Sunrise-sunset; visitor center daily 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10 ($9 seniors 62+)
state park
Natural Bridges State Beach
Wave-carved sea arch, a family-friendly beach and tide pools on the edge of Santa Cruz. From late fall into winter, thousands of monarch butterflies cluster in the park's Monarch Grove. No dogs.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; visitor center daily 11am-4pm through Jan 31
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
train ride
Rainforest Weekends at Roaring Camp
Learn about California's coast redwood forest aboard a 100-year-old steam train, with docent specialists explaining the redwoods and their ecosystems. 75-minute ride, plus a craft table.
- Hours
- Weekends through March
- Where
- 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018
museum
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Small natural history museum founded on Laura Hecox's collections, with exhibits and fossil collections near the East Cliff shore. Free for everyone on the first Friday of every month.
- Hours
- Tue-Fri 11am-4pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
- Cost
- Adults $5; seniors 60+ and students $3; under 18 free
- Where
- 1305 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
state beach
Seacliff State Beach
Swimming and picnic beach with a long stretch of sand below the bluffs, covered picnic areas and a visitor center. Just offshore sits the S.S. Palo Alto, a concrete ship built in 1919 (closed to the public). Dogs allowed.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
museum
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
UC Santa Cruz's hands-on aquarium on the bluff above Monterey Bay: a seawater touch tank, Monterey Bay tanks, and one of the largest blue whale skeletons on display. Daily tours are included with admission.
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Adults $12; seniors 65+ $11; ages 3-17 and students with ID $9; under 3 free
- Where
- 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
marketFree
Westside Farmers Market
Saturday morning farmers market on Santa Cruz's Westside, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Sat 9am-1pm
- Where
- Mission St Ext & Western Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
state park
Wilder Ranch State Park
Coastal park just north of Santa Cruz with early California ranching history: a working dairy farm, an 1840 adobe and a Victorian farmhouse. Guided coastal walks and ranch history tours are on the park calendar; bikes are allowed on all trails and roads. No dogs.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset (park store closed after flooding)
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
🌅15 picks
Date Ideas
Jazz and live shows, a Soquel winery, museums, gardens and the lighted boat parade.
event
Helen Sung – Oracles Quartet
Pianist Helen Sung's Oracles Quartet at Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz's nonprofit jazz venue.
- Dates
- Nov 2, 2026
- Hours
- 7pm
- Cost
- Advance $46.62; members $42; door $52.50; students $26.25
- Where
- 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
The California Honeydrops at the Catalyst
The California Honeydrops' Sweet Like That Tour at the Catalyst. Ages 16 and up.
- Dates
- Nov 15, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 8pm; show 9pm
- Cost
- $55.08
- Where
- 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
eventFree
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Free holiday admission to the Boardwalk: a tunnel of lights, festive decor, free light shows every 15 minutes from 5 to 8pm in the Main Plaza, photos with Santa and 10-15 rides (weather permitting), with $2 rides after 5pm.
- Dates
- Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- Hours
- 12-7pm: Nov 26-29; Dec 5-6 and 12-13; daily Dec 19-Jan 3
- Cost
- Free admission; rides extra
- Where
- 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
Holiday Lights Train
Vintage excursion cars covered in thousands of lights roll through the streets of Santa Cruz, with a holiday sing-along, live music, hot spiced cider and a visit from Santa. One-hour ride on Roaring Camp's Beach Train.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026 – Dec 23, 2026
- Hours
- Departs 5pm and 6:30pm
- Cost
- Canopy cars adults $58.25, children $38.11; first-class coach adults $74.15, children $48.71; under 2 free (includes a $10 myboardwalkcard)
- Where
- Departs in front of the Merry-Go-Round, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
Jackie Greene at the Catalyst
Singer-songwriter Jackie Greene live at the Catalyst.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 7pm; show 8pm
- Cost
- $40.55
- Where
- 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
eventFree
Lighted Boat Parade at Santa Cruz Harbor
The Santa Cruz Yacht Club's 39th annual parade of 50 decorated power and sailboats through the harbor, rain or shine. Hot drinks and snacks are available around the south harbor.
- Dates
- Dec 5, 2026
- Hours
- 5:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
event
Jonathan Richman at the Rio Theatre
Jonathan Richman live on stage, with Tommy Larkins on drums.
- Dates
- Dec 11, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 7pm; show 8pm
- Cost
- $42
- Where
- 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
event
Victor Wooten & the Wooten Brothers at the Rio Theatre
Bassist Victor Wooten and his brothers live at the Rio Theatre.
- Dates
- Dec 12, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 6:30pm; show 7:30pm
- Cost
- $46.62 general; $69.93 Gold Circle
- Where
- 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
event
An Evening with Garrison Keillor at the Rio Theatre
Garrison Keillor with Heather Masse and Richard Dworsky.
- Dates
- Dec 13, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 7pm; show 8pm
- Cost
- $45 general; $65 Gold Circle
- Where
- 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
winery
Bargetto Winery Soquel Tasting Room
Family winery established in 1933, with its historic tasting room on the banks of Soquel Creek.
- Hours
- Daily 12-5pm; Wed until 8pm; last tasting 4pm
- Cost
- Tasting flights $20-$25 (5 wines)
- Where
- 3535 N Main Street, Soquel, CA 95073
marketFree
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market
Wednesday afternoon farmers market in downtown Santa Cruz, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Wed 12:30-5pm
- Where
- Cedar St & Church St, Santa Cruz, CA
state park
Natural Bridges State Beach
Wave-carved sea arch, a family-friendly beach and tide pools on the edge of Santa Cruz. From late fall into winter, thousands of monarch butterflies cluster in the park's Monarch Grove. No dogs.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; visitor center daily 11am-4pm through Jan 31
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
museum
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)
Downtown art and history museum with rotating exhibitions, weekly Open Archives hours and a busy calendar of classes, talks and community celebrations.
- Hours
- Mon 9am-1pm; Thu-Fri 12-8pm; Sat-Sun 12-6pm
- Cost
- Suggested admission $10; seniors, students, teachers and veterans $8; members and under 5 free
- Where
- 705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
museum
Seymour Marine Discovery Center
UC Santa Cruz's hands-on aquarium on the bluff above Monterey Bay: a seawater touch tank, Monterey Bay tanks, and one of the largest blue whale skeletons on display. Daily tours are included with admission.
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Adults $12; seniors 65+ $11; ages 3-17 and students with ID $9; under 3 free
- Where
- 100 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
garden
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Walking paths through rare plant collections from around the world, with seasonal blooms and wide views. Free admission for everyone on the first Tuesday of each month. No pets.
- Hours
- Daily 9am-5pm; closed Nov 26-27 and Dec 24-Jan 1
- Cost
- Adults $13; seniors 65+ $10; ages 4-17 $7; under 4 free
🌷17 picks
Senior Outings
Redwood groves, museums, farmers markets, gardens and holiday parades.
event
Helen Sung – Oracles Quartet
Pianist Helen Sung's Oracles Quartet at Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz's nonprofit jazz venue.
- Dates
- Nov 2, 2026
- Hours
- 7pm
- Cost
- Advance $46.62; members $42; door $52.50; students $26.25
- Where
- 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
Holiday Tree Walk at Roaring Camp
Ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through the winter redwoods to Bear Mountain, sip hot cider with Santa Claus, then enjoy winter-themed activities in town. 75-minute train ride.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026 – Dec 23, 2026
- Hours
- Nov 27-29, Dec 5-6, 12-13 and 19-23
- Cost
- Tickets required
- Where
- 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018
eventFree
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
The official kickoff to the holidays downtown, with about 1,200 participants from Santa Cruz County schools, youth organizations and local nonprofits, and over 3,000 spectators. Rain or shine.
- Dates
- Dec 5, 2026
- Hours
- 10am
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Downtown Santa Cruz
eventFree
Lighted Boat Parade at Santa Cruz Harbor
The Santa Cruz Yacht Club's 39th annual parade of 50 decorated power and sailboats through the harbor, rain or shine. Hot drinks and snacks are available around the south harbor.
- Dates
- Dec 5, 2026
- Hours
- 5:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
event
An Evening with Garrison Keillor at the Rio Theatre
Garrison Keillor with Heather Masse and Richard Dworsky.
- Dates
- Dec 13, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 7pm; show 8pm
- Cost
- $45 general; $65 Gold Circle
- Where
- 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
state park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
California's oldest state park, founded in 1902, preserving ancient coast redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains as the forest regrows after the 2020 fire. Parking reservations are highly recommended. No dogs. All campgrounds are currently closed, and no oversized vehicles or trailers can park for day use. See the biggest trees on the 0.6-mile Redwood Loop Trail; several trails and fire roads have reopened.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- Parking $6 + $2 reservation fee, or $10 without a reservation
marketFree
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market
Wednesday afternoon farmers market in downtown Santa Cruz, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Wed 12:30-5pm
- Where
- Cedar St & Church St, Santa Cruz, CA
marketFree
Felton Farmers Market
Tuesday afternoon farmers market in Felton, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Tue 1:30-5:30pm
- Where
- 120 Russell Ave, Felton, CA
state park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
A 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods on a flat 0.8-mile loop, where the tallest tree stands about 277 feet. Step inside the hollow Fremont Tree, then explore river, sandhills and grassland trails. Guided Redwood Grove walks are on the park's event calendar.
- Hours
- Sunrise-sunset; visitor center daily 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10 ($9 seniors 62+)
state park
Natural Bridges State Beach
Wave-carved sea arch, a family-friendly beach and tide pools on the edge of Santa Cruz. From late fall into winter, thousands of monarch butterflies cluster in the park's Monarch Grove. No dogs.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; visitor center daily 11am-4pm through Jan 31
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
train ride
Rainforest Weekends at Roaring Camp
Learn about California's coast redwood forest aboard a 100-year-old steam train, with docent specialists explaining the redwoods and their ecosystems. 75-minute ride, plus a craft table.
- Hours
- Weekends through March
- Where
- 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018
museum
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)
Downtown art and history museum with rotating exhibitions, weekly Open Archives hours and a busy calendar of classes, talks and community celebrations.
- Hours
- Mon 9am-1pm; Thu-Fri 12-8pm; Sat-Sun 12-6pm
- Cost
- Suggested admission $10; seniors, students, teachers and veterans $8; members and under 5 free
- Where
- 705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
museum
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Small natural history museum founded on Laura Hecox's collections, with exhibits and fossil collections near the East Cliff shore. Free for everyone on the first Friday of every month.
- Hours
- Tue-Fri 11am-4pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
- Cost
- Adults $5; seniors 60+ and students $3; under 18 free
- Where
- 1305 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
state beach
Seacliff State Beach
Swimming and picnic beach with a long stretch of sand below the bluffs, covered picnic areas and a visitor center. Just offshore sits the S.S. Palo Alto, a concrete ship built in 1919 (closed to the public). Dogs allowed.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
garden
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Walking paths through rare plant collections from around the world, with seasonal blooms and wide views. Free admission for everyone on the first Tuesday of each month. No pets.
- Hours
- Daily 9am-5pm; closed Nov 26-27 and Dec 24-Jan 1
- Cost
- Adults $13; seniors 65+ $10; ages 4-17 $7; under 4 free
marketFree
Westside Farmers Market
Saturday morning farmers market on Santa Cruz's Westside, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Sat 9am-1pm
- Where
- Mission St Ext & Western Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
state park
Wilder Ranch State Park
Coastal park just north of Santa Cruz with early California ranching history: a working dairy farm, an 1840 adobe and a Victorian farmhouse. Guided coastal walks and ranch history tours are on the park calendar; bikes are allowed on all trails and roads. No dogs.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset (park store closed after flooding)
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
🎳14 picks
Friends and Groups
Live music, bowling, redwood trails and the Boardwalk.
eventFree
Día de los Muertos Celebration at the MAH
The MAH's community Día de los Muertos celebration with traditional music, dance and art.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026
- Hours
- 12-3pm
- Cost
- Free (RSVP)
- Where
- 705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
Helen Sung – Oracles Quartet
Pianist Helen Sung's Oracles Quartet at Kuumbwa Jazz, Santa Cruz's nonprofit jazz venue.
- Dates
- Nov 2, 2026
- Hours
- 7pm
- Cost
- Advance $46.62; members $42; door $52.50; students $26.25
- Where
- 320-2 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
The California Honeydrops at the Catalyst
The California Honeydrops' Sweet Like That Tour at the Catalyst. Ages 16 and up.
- Dates
- Nov 15, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 8pm; show 9pm
- Cost
- $55.08
- Where
- 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
eventFree
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Free holiday admission to the Boardwalk: a tunnel of lights, festive decor, free light shows every 15 minutes from 5 to 8pm in the Main Plaza, photos with Santa and 10-15 rides (weather permitting), with $2 rides after 5pm.
- Dates
- Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- Hours
- 12-7pm: Nov 26-29; Dec 5-6 and 12-13; daily Dec 19-Jan 3
- Cost
- Free admission; rides extra
- Where
- 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
Jackie Greene at the Catalyst
Singer-songwriter Jackie Greene live at the Catalyst.
- Dates
- Nov 27, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 7pm; show 8pm
- Cost
- $40.55
- Where
- 1011 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
event
Jonathan Richman at the Rio Theatre
Jonathan Richman live on stage, with Tommy Larkins on drums.
- Dates
- Dec 11, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 7pm; show 8pm
- Cost
- $42
- Where
- 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
event
Victor Wooten & the Wooten Brothers at the Rio Theatre
Bassist Victor Wooten and his brothers live at the Rio Theatre.
- Dates
- Dec 12, 2026
- Hours
- Doors 6:30pm; show 7:30pm
- Cost
- $46.62 general; $69.93 Gold Circle
- Where
- 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
winery
Bargetto Winery Soquel Tasting Room
Family winery established in 1933, with its historic tasting room on the banks of Soquel Creek.
- Hours
- Daily 12-5pm; Wed until 8pm; last tasting 4pm
- Cost
- Tasting flights $20-$25 (5 wines)
- Where
- 3535 N Main Street, Soquel, CA 95073
state park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
California's oldest state park, founded in 1902, preserving ancient coast redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains as the forest regrows after the 2020 fire. Parking reservations are highly recommended. No dogs. All campgrounds are currently closed, and no oversized vehicles or trailers can park for day use. See the biggest trees on the 0.6-mile Redwood Loop Trail; several trails and fire roads have reopened.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- Parking $6 + $2 reservation fee, or $10 without a reservation
bowling
Boardwalk Bowl
Bowling alley a block from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, open until midnight daily.
- Hours
- Mon-Thu 11am-12am; Fri-Sun 10am-12am (holiday hours daily 9am-12am)
- Where
- 115 Cliff Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
state park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
A 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods on a flat 0.8-mile loop, where the tallest tree stands about 277 feet. Step inside the hollow Fremont Tree, then explore river, sandhills and grassland trails. Guided Redwood Grove walks are on the park's event calendar.
- Hours
- Sunrise-sunset; visitor center daily 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10 ($9 seniors 62+)
museum
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH)
Downtown art and history museum with rotating exhibitions, weekly Open Archives hours and a busy calendar of classes, talks and community celebrations.
- Hours
- Mon 9am-1pm; Thu-Fri 12-8pm; Sat-Sun 12-6pm
- Cost
- Suggested admission $10; seniors, students, teachers and veterans $8; members and under 5 free
- Where
- 705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
state park
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Second- and third-growth redwood forest rising from near sea level into steep coastal mountains, with picnic spots by Aptos Creek and 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Dogs are allowed below Porter Picnic Area.
- Hours
- Sunrise-sunset
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $8
- Where
- Aptos Creek Road, Aptos, CA
state park
Wilder Ranch State Park
Coastal park just north of Santa Cruz with early California ranching history: a working dairy farm, an 1840 adobe and a Victorian farmhouse. Guided coastal walks and ranch history tours are on the park calendar; bikes are allowed on all trails and roads. No dogs.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset (park store closed after flooding)
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
🎟️15 picks
Free and Cheap
Free entry, plus outings with a low parking or entry fee.
eventFree
Día de los Muertos Celebration at the MAH
The MAH's community Día de los Muertos celebration with traditional music, dance and art.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026
- Hours
- 12-3pm
- Cost
- Free (RSVP)
- Where
- 705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
eventFree
Haunted Harbor
An afternoon of spooky fun and trick-or-treating at Santa Cruz Harbor.
- Dates
- Oct 24, 2026
- Hours
- 3-6pm
- Where
- 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
eventFree
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Free holiday admission to the Boardwalk: a tunnel of lights, festive decor, free light shows every 15 minutes from 5 to 8pm in the Main Plaza, photos with Santa and 10-15 rides (weather permitting), with $2 rides after 5pm.
- Dates
- Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
- Hours
- 12-7pm: Nov 26-29; Dec 5-6 and 12-13; daily Dec 19-Jan 3
- Cost
- Free admission; rides extra
- Where
- 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
eventFree
Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade
The official kickoff to the holidays downtown, with about 1,200 participants from Santa Cruz County schools, youth organizations and local nonprofits, and over 3,000 spectators. Rain or shine.
- Dates
- Dec 5, 2026
- Hours
- 10am
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Downtown Santa Cruz
eventFree
Lighted Boat Parade at Santa Cruz Harbor
The Santa Cruz Yacht Club's 39th annual parade of 50 decorated power and sailboats through the harbor, rain or shine. Hot drinks and snacks are available around the south harbor.
- Dates
- Dec 5, 2026
- Hours
- 5:30pm
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
state park
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
California's oldest state park, founded in 1902, preserving ancient coast redwoods in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains as the forest regrows after the 2020 fire. Parking reservations are highly recommended. No dogs. All campgrounds are currently closed, and no oversized vehicles or trailers can park for day use. See the biggest trees on the 0.6-mile Redwood Loop Trail; several trails and fire roads have reopened.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- Parking $6 + $2 reservation fee, or $10 without a reservation
marketFree
Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market
Wednesday afternoon farmers market in downtown Santa Cruz, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Wed 12:30-5pm
- Where
- Cedar St & Church St, Santa Cruz, CA
marketFree
Felton Farmers Market
Tuesday afternoon farmers market in Felton, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Tue 1:30-5:30pm
- Where
- 120 Russell Ave, Felton, CA
state park
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
A 40-acre grove of old-growth redwoods on a flat 0.8-mile loop, where the tallest tree stands about 277 feet. Step inside the hollow Fremont Tree, then explore river, sandhills and grassland trails. Guided Redwood Grove walks are on the park's event calendar.
- Hours
- Sunrise-sunset; visitor center daily 10am-4pm
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10 ($9 seniors 62+)
state park
Natural Bridges State Beach
Wave-carved sea arch, a family-friendly beach and tide pools on the edge of Santa Cruz. From late fall into winter, thousands of monarch butterflies cluster in the park's Monarch Grove. No dogs.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset; visitor center daily 11am-4pm through Jan 31
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
museum
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Small natural history museum founded on Laura Hecox's collections, with exhibits and fossil collections near the East Cliff shore. Free for everyone on the first Friday of every month.
- Hours
- Tue-Fri 11am-4pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
- Cost
- Adults $5; seniors 60+ and students $3; under 18 free
- Where
- 1305 E Cliff Dr, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
state beach
Seacliff State Beach
Swimming and picnic beach with a long stretch of sand below the bluffs, covered picnic areas and a visitor center. Just offshore sits the S.S. Palo Alto, a concrete ship built in 1919 (closed to the public). Dogs allowed.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10
state park
The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
Second- and third-growth redwood forest rising from near sea level into steep coastal mountains, with picnic spots by Aptos Creek and 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Dogs are allowed below Porter Picnic Area.
- Hours
- Sunrise-sunset
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $8
- Where
- Aptos Creek Road, Aptos, CA
marketFree
Westside Farmers Market
Saturday morning farmers market on Santa Cruz's Westside, run by the Santa Cruz Community Farmers' Markets.
- Hours
- Sat 9am-1pm
- Where
- Mission St Ext & Western Dr, Santa Cruz, CA
state park
Wilder Ranch State Park
Coastal park just north of Santa Cruz with early California ranching history: a working dairy farm, an 1840 adobe and a Victorian farmhouse. Guided coastal walks and ranch history tours are on the park calendar; bikes are allowed on all trails and roads. No dogs.
- Hours
- 8am-sunset (park store closed after flooding)
- Cost
- Vehicle day use $10