Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012 - 30

16 16th de Septiembre Celebration Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at the Historic Downtown Plaza. Food, music, dance, family fun. Free. 12 - 5pm. Location: Downtown Plaza, Watsonville Phone: 831.724.9005 www.ci.watsonville.ca.us 20 – 22 Annual Greek Culture and Food Festival Features traditional Greek foods and pastries. Live Greek music and dancing. OPA! Free. Fri. 5 - 10pm, Sat. 11am 10pm, Sun. 12 - 8pm. Location: 223 Church St., between Cedar & Center, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.429.6500 www.propheteliassantacruz.org 22 15th Annual Thunderbirds on the Wharf A collection of classic (1955-57) and vintage (1958-66) Thunderbirds displayed by owners from central and northern California. Free. 9am - 3pm. Location: Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz www.montereytbirds.com 29 Big Basin Founder’s Day and Redwood Jubilee Celebrate our heritage with a melodrama, historic hikes and games for kids where the movement to Save the Trees began. Free. 10am - 8pm. Location: Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek Phone: 831.338.8883 www.bigbasin.org 29 – 30 Santa Cruz County Symphony Concert “2012/2013 Season Opening Concert” The Symphony opens its season with a special guest conductor and a flourish of great music. Tickets go on sale Sep. 1st, see website for more details. 8pm 9/29 in Santa Cruz, 2pm 9/30 in Watsonville. Location: Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz; Henry J. Mello Center, 250 E. Beach St., Watsonville Phone: 831.420.5260 www.santacruzsymphony.org 29 – October 21 Santa Cruz Art League: Open Studio Preview View one piece from each of the over 300 artists participating in Open Studios. Come and buy your catalog and plot your course. Free. Wed. & Fri. 11am - 5pm, Thurs. 11am - 7pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am - 5pm. Location: 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.426.5787 www.scal.org 30 Music at Skypark Bring your chairs to the park and enjoy the music of great bands. Food and beverages from local vendors. Free. 3:30pm. Location: Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Phone: 831.438.1010 www.scottsvalleychamber.com

October

4 Free First Thursday Enjoy free admission to the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. 10am - 5pm. Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.420.6115 www.santacruzmuseums.org 5 Annual Monte Foundation Fireworks Extravaganza! A wonderful family event featuring over 50 game and food booths, live entertainment and a fireworks display. 5 - 10pm. Location: Seacliff State Beach, Aptos Phone: 831.685.3317 www.monte-foundation.com 6 – 7 Halloween Harvest Fair Weavers, spinners and candle makers demonstrate 1880s skills. Make your own scarecrow. Free pumpkin for children with ticket. 9am - 5pm. Location: Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton Phone: 831.335.4484 www.roaringcamp.com 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 Open Studios Art Tour Meet local artists in their studios, see processes, purchase art! Artist Guide/Calendar has artist info & detailed map. 10am - 5pm. Location: Various locations, Santa Cruz County Phone: 831.475.9600 www.ccscc.org 13 18th Annual Mountain Parks Foundation Lobster Feed Enjoy a 1.5 lb. fresh Maine lobster served with all the trimmings, dessert and beverages included! Live music under the redwoods adds to the magic of the evening. 4:30 - 8pm. Location: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton Phone: 831.335.3174 www.mountainparks.org 14 Welcome Back Monarchs Day Discover why these amazing insects call Santa Cruz their home in winter. Arts, crafts, games, music and fun. Free. 10am - 4pm. Location: Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.423.4609 www.thatsmypark.org

20 Heritage Harvest Festival Draft horse demonstrations, wagon ride, harvest and decorate pumpkins, live music at historic ranch. Free. 11am - 4pm. Location: Wilder Ranch State Park, Two miles north on Hwy. 1, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.426.0505 www.thatsmypark.org 20 The Missing Arm of William Waddell A half-mile guided walk through a forest decorated in the spirit of Halloween. Walks leave every 20 minutes, from 7pm. Free. 6:30pm. Location: Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek Phone: 831.338.8883 www.thatsmypark.org 20 Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Family Festival Traditional Mexican celebration honors family and friends that have passed away. Music, dance, performances and art activities. 11am - 2pm. Location: Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Downtown Santa Cruz Phone: 831.429.1964 www.santacruzmah.org 20 Santa Cruz Youth Band Review High school bands from across California march from Downtown Santa Cruz to the Boardwalk. Free. 9am - 2pm. Location: Pacific Ave. and Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.423.5590 www.beachboardwalk.com 26 Marine Masquerade Family fun with seaside storytelling, night-time whale skeleton tours, crafts, scavenger hunt and costume parade. 6 - 8:30pm. Location: Seymour Marine Discovery Center, end of Delaware Ave., Santa Cruz Phone: 831.459.3800 http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu 26 – 27 Ghost Train Ride a steam train to Bear Mountain through a haunted redwood forest as you relive “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Trains at 6, 6:30, 8, 8:30pm. Location: Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton Phone: 888.35.EVENT www.roaringcamp.com 27 Halloween Festival & Mask Making Workshop Annual event to get into the Halloween spirit. Join us for mask making, creepy touch tanks, pumpkin decorating and our haunted theater. Free. 12 - 5pm. Location: Louden Nelson Center, 301 Center Street, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.420.6177 www.nelsoncenter.com 27 3rd Annual Chili Cookoff at the Boardwalk! Bring your appetite and join the fun as both professional and amateur chefs compete! 10 - 4pm, Tasting starts at 1pm. Location: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.423.5590 www.beachboardwalk.com 28 Capitola Village Children’s Halloween Parade Join ghosts, goblins and fairy princesses at the annual Halloween Parade. Enjoy refreshments and pumpkin painting. Free. 2pm. Location: Capitola Village, Capitola Phone: 831.475.6522 www.capitolasoquelchamber.com 31 Trick or Treating on the Wharf Little witches, goblins, ghosts & their parents can enjoy safe and sane trick-or-treating on the Wharf. Free. 4 - 6pm. Location: Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.420.5273 www.santacruzwharf.com 31 Children’s Halloween Downtown Free Halloween activities and merchant trick-or-treat on Pacific Ave. from Laurel to Water St. Free. 2:30 - 5pm. Location: Downtown, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.332.7422 www.downtownsantacruz.com

2012 events
December

24 December 1-2, 8-9, 15-20 Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train Ride a holiday train through Victorian Santa Cruz as you sip hot spiced cider, listen to carolers, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Trains at 5:00, 6:30 & 8:00pm. Location: Departs from Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz Phone: 831.335.4484 www.roaringcamp.com

November

9 Community Free Friday Experience Seymour Center’s fascinating marine-life exhibits for free on Community Free Friday. 10am - 5pm. Location: Seymour Marine Discovery Center, end of Delaware Ave., Santa Cruz Phone: 831.459.3800 http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu 17 Wine Passport Program Your chance to visit wineries of the Santa Cruz Mountains not normally open to the public. Taste wine & have a great time. 11am - 5pm. Location: Various wineries, Santa Cruz Mountains Phone: 831.685.VINE (8463) www.scmwa.com 24 Surfin’ Santa Santa and his reindeer surf into Capitola Beach. Bring your Christmas list to review with Santa. Candy Canes for everyone! Free. Noon. Location: Capitola Beach, Capitola Village Phone: 831.475.6522 www.capitolasoquelchamber.com

1 Lighted Boat Parade Features 50 decorated boats parading throughout Santa Cruz Harbor, rain or shine. Family-oriented festival. Free. 5:30pm. Location: Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.475.6161 www.santacruzharbor.org 1 Watsonville Holiday Factory Sale Visit local factories for great discounts on brand names! 9am - 4pm. Location: Various shops and factories, Watsonville Phone: 831.768.3240 www.watsonvillefactorysale.com 1 Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade Join the fun as floats, marching bands, fire trucks, horses, classic cars and Santa go down Pacific Ave. Free. 10am - noon. Location: Pacific Ave., Downtown Santa Cruz Phone: 831.332.7422 www.downtownsantacruz.com 1 Scotts Valley Christmas Tree Lighting Festival Join in the music and fun as we light the Christmas tree, welcome Santa and enjoy welcoming Christmas to Scotts Valley. Free. 5pm. Location: Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley Phone: 831.438.1010 www.scottsvalleychamber.com 1 – 2 Art in the Cellars Stroll through the cellars at historic Bargetto Winery, enjoy award-winning wines, live music and local art. 11am - 5pm. Location: Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St., Soquel Phone: 831.475.2258 www.bargetto.com 1 – 9 Santa Cruz Art League: Luck of the Draw Paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture and more. Free. Wed. - Sat. 12 - 5pm, Sun. 12 - 4pm. Location: 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.426.5787 www.scal.org 1 – 31 Carriage Rides Downtown See the heart of Santa Cruz the old-fashioned way! 4 - 7pm. Location: Pacific Ave., Downtown Santa Cruz Phone: 831.332.7422 www.downtownsantacruz.com 2 Jingle Shells Art & Craft Festival Ocean-inspired gifts from local artists, live music, children’s activities and festive whale lighting ceremony at dusk. 12 - 5:30pm. Location: Seymour Marine Discovery Center, End of Delaware Ave., Santa Cruz Phone: 831.459.3800 http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu 8 – 9 Annual Holiday Gift and Craft Faire Approximately 20 craft vendors with nature themed gifts, live music, children’s activities & raffle prizes. Free. 10am - 5pm. Location: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton Phone: 831.335.0782 www.mountainparks.org 15 Ranch Holiday Festival Experience the winter holidays as folks did in Victorian a nd early 20th century times. Crafts, games, treats. Free. 11am - 3pm. Location: Wilder Ranch State Park, Two miles north on Hwy. 1, Santa Cruz Phone: 831.426.0505 www.thatsmypark.org 15 Santa Cruz Bird Club: 56th Annual Christmas Bird Count Help us track the ups and downs of the local bird populations. All day event! See website for information on potluck dinner. All day. Location: Various locations, Santa Cruz County Phone: 831.479.9603 www.santacruzbirdclub.org 30 New Years “Eve Eve” Party Annual shindig offering dancers 21 years and older a chance to get a jump on New Year’s festivities. 8:30pm - 1am. Location: Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz Phone: 831.423.2053 (tickets) www.cocoanutgrovesantacruz.com 31 New Year’s Eve Party A stylish party at Santa Cruz’s historic ballroom, with champagne, prime rib buffet, dancing, and more. 21 or older. Location: Cocoanut Grove, 400 Beach St., Santa Cruz Phone: 831.423.2053 (tickets) www.cocoanutgrovesantacruz.com

2 0 1 2 O f f i C i a l S a N Ta C R u z C O u N T y T R aV E l E R ’ S G u i d E

Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Santa Cruz Travel Guide 2012