I absolutely think this Santuary Exploration exhibit by Monterey is amazing, fun and educational…read more Here's a secret......it is totally FREE!!!!! If your in Santa Cruz area and need a cool off and a break for the young kids take them here. Lots to see, touch and explore. Even a coloring area where they display your picture. You can use a under water diving machine. You can watch a movie on the ocean. So much more. Time to explore!!

A fun place to visit if you have some time before hitting the Boardwalk or pier! Located right…read moreacross the street from the pier, know that it is FREE to visit! This is not affiliated with the Monterey Bay Aquarium but it is tied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The docents/volunteers here are friendly and engaging and it is fun to learn about the oceans surrounding Santa Cruz. Great for kids, it's a quick 30 minute visit kind of place to pop in and learn something new!

If you love lighthouses come see this one…read more Food and coffee close by. Closed to look at but the view is worth it. Lots of parking Lots of places to sit and listen to the water.

Lighthouse Field State Beach is located in the city of Santa Cruz at the north end of Monterey Bay…read more The Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, housed in a 1967 lighthouse, is also in there. This is a spot to visit, relax, and enjoy the scenery and landscape, and a great spot to watch the surfers. Parking is free, but parking lots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.

A classic Art and food festival in the redwoods. The Quaint town of Scotts Valley is a welcoming…read morecommunity.

First things first~ Free admission!! I'm not a fan of paying to get into a festival to spend my…read moremoney$$ Next to the dog park!! Ok, ok inside I'm still a 9 year old lil girl! Love my dogs, you're dogs... Everybody's dogs... we went Saturday. The dog show was Sunday. But enough ppl brought their babies out with them for me to enjoy... Since it's a cooler climate and on grass it worked, So no paw injuries from hot asphalt at some of these festivals. Thanks I enjoyed watching all the mutts on parade... Plenty of food boothes and trucks! No real lines to speak of, maybe a few ppl ahead of you. But, no hour waits... (hello urban nights) Like most Art & Wine festivals you can ohhhh & ahhhh over the Cool Art & Jewelry! I had a napkin... didn't want to drool on those jewelry cases...LOL! The kids area and bandstand were on one end...Car show on the other. Nice music, great way to spend a day! This is super family friendly on grass at the SKYPARK! The one thing I would recommend, is if you gotta get tickets to buy beer or wine you need to make that easier. Possibly more ticket booths or more signs where they are at...

MJA Vineyards Wine and Tasting Room....I love you! I always…read morehave a wonderful time when I stop by, and I am always treated like family; Marin's energy and generous Aloha spirit make customers feel welcome. There are all kinds of varietals--seriously, there are so many to try! Plus, it is easy to leave having made new friendships. I also love being part of the wine club and the perks, and I have been a member for about ten years. The wine club member parties and movie nights are a great time. There is a wine for everyone. The Cabernets age very well. I just opened a 2013 Cab this week ("Still Horny" ????) that was awesome.

Stopped here for a wine tasting and had a nice experience. The tasting was $25 and focused mostly…read moreon whites. We tried Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, two different Sauvignon Blancs, and a Red Zinfandel. The wines were good and the staff provided great service throughout the tasting. The setting is relaxed and perfect if you're looking for a casual place to enjoy some wine while in Santa Cruz.

Adj: marvelous marine center…read more This is the UC Santa Cruz's marine research center. We've been here several times, but I keep forgetting to write a review. It's a gem, maybe I'm secretly and subconsciously gatekeeping, who knows lol. Anyways on this latest visit, only the little one wanted to go with me so the two of us had some mom and son bonding time. We both had a great time, we share a same fascination with natural wonders and laugh at silly things, so it was a terrific time. Most of marine center looks about the same, but they added and changed some things. We looked at the long timers in their aquarium tanks and enjoyed and marveled at how interesting and unique they look and took lots of pictures of them. We also spent a good amount of time learning about the sea creatures in the touch tanks area where you're allowed to gently touch sea stars, sea urchins, anemones, and sea snails, as well as non animals like sea weed, (empty) shark eggs. All fascinating! Afterwards, we went out to the back and this time there were no tours to join, so we just walked along the trail and enjoyed looking out at the Pacific Ocean, at the native plants growing all over, and listened to the waves crashing against the rocks. Overall, another lovely visit to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and a wonderful time of bonding for my son and me as we discovered and discussed the various different marine creatures who call this place home. Please check out my pictures to include the gift shop ones.

Keep it Reel Marine…read moreScience Center is run by the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) and is located right on campus. They focus on the education of ocean research and the conservation of our oceans. The Good: * Good place to bring young kids as it's not very large, and you can see the whole thing in way less than two hours. * One-mile loop trail along the UCSC campus if you want to add a little hike to your visit. * Guided tours available, as well as self-guided. * Hands-on experiences--they currently even have a shark in the touch tank! * Picnic areas outside with an ocean view. * The whale skeleton outside is pretty "bitchin'." * EV charging available. * Bike rack. * Buy tickets online or at the door. * Very affordable at $12/adult and $9/student. The Meh: * Hours and days change depending on the season. The Ugly: * Paid parking during the week, but free on weekends. Conclusion: Great little museum located right on the coast, but don't expect it to be an all-day affair.

I have always and will always love downtown Santa Cruz, regardless of season. It has plenty of…read moreeateries and interesting shopping, both one and around Pacific. Well worth proposing about the edges. Cedar has a great comic shop, Atlantis Fantasyworld, restaurants, and other shops. Do wander off Pacific. Parking is reasonable, with lots around Pacific, street parking, and one can always get a ride share into downtown. Double bonus if there is a street fair. Do visit! We define will return.

Downtown Santa Cruz has an easy-going vibe for strolling the pedestrian-friendly walkable area…read more Public artworks dot the area with eye appeal. Street performers seem to enjoy themselves and appreciate a helping hand. There are many unique storefronts for browsing/shopping from crystals to hip shops, from antiques to a clothier with that elegant, must-have wardrobe piece. Parking can be rather limited, however there are surface lots and parking garages just a block off Pacific Avenue. If you are feeling hunger or thirst, there are plentiful of options from everyday pizza/burgers, Italian, Japanese, Thai, Korean, vegan and mediterranean restaurants to fine dining options. There are many bars to enjoy an adult libation, from the common to sophisticated. For the coffee aficionados, there are many brew houses. The downtown area is clean and is well maintained.

Located at Tyrrell Park with a $5 admission fee for adults (free for kids), and no charge for entry…read moreon first Fridays of each month. Museum permit parking on Pilkington if you're lucky to find a spot (you do need to obtain the permit inside). A nature walk to explore and learn about the tide pooling at Scott Creek is among various programs and workshops offered by the museum regularly. And the lady at the front counter was friendly and shared interesting stories behind some of the items on display. There were a few live critters on site like the rosy boa near the fake snakes, and guests could even touch the sea creatures in the tide pool. Also, see and learn about plant and animal fossils and the history of paleontology in the Santa Cruz area. The animal displays were creatively set up, as well as a redwood tree ring. Lots of bird species, ducks, owls, and the golden eagle, even an interactive exhibit where guests could hear the bird calls of the song sparrow, hermit thrush, and pacific slope flycatcher, among others. My favorite exhibits were the banana slug display describing the importance of being slimy, and of course the black-tailed jackrabbit, cuz I like all things "rabbit". I also checked out the gift shop before leaving, with a variety of cute and creative products and souvenirs for sale, a great way to support the museum.

A beautiful museum with fascinating, local natural history. The gift shop is also fantastic.read more

They are always kind and caring. Living near this club I understand the protection the residents…read morehave displayed. Our home and property is constantly being trespassed on by hikers and bicyclists trying to get to Summit. Sveadal is a PRIVATE community. People these days feel extremely entitled to try to come anyway, ignoring the Uvas Canyon Park rules & requirements for a reservation. Walking through areas that clearly say, no trespassing, in order to hike in the park. Rude & entitled people. When we are invited to an event here, we always have a wonderful time!

I grew up here and I'm not white so anyone in the reviews saying this place is racist is dead…read morewrong. Its very beautiful and we are open to campers and cabin renters during certain times of the year. We also host Midsummer which is a wonderous festival full of flowers and dancing. It is June 18th and EVERYONE is welcome that day for the festival! FOR ANYONE WHO HAD SOMEONE BE RUDE TO THEM I PROMISE WE ARE NOT ALL LIKE THAT AND I AM SORRY ON THEIR BEHALF!! Please feel free to travel through Uvas Park goers.