OPEN TODAY: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. View Hours

Connecting people to the wonders of nature for over 100 years

Plan Your Visit

Upcoming Events

Holiday Sale and Art Market

11:00am  - 4:00pm
  • Open House

Toddler Tumble Time: Marine Animals

10:30am  - 11:30pm
  • Vamos Afuera

Saturdays in the Soil

10:00am  - 12:00pm
  • Volunteer Event

Member Meetup: Winter Solstice Sea Star Search

3:00pm  - 5:00pm
  • Members Only
  • Nature Walk

Winter Wonders Camp

9:00am  - 3:00pm
  • Camp

Fungus Fair 2026

9:00am  - 5:00pm
  • Special Event

Saturdays in the Soil

10:00am  - 12:00pm
  • Volunteer Event

Member Meet-Up: Whale Disentanglement Talk

1:00pm  - 2:30pm
  • Lecture
  • Members Only
  • Volunteer Event

Saturdays in the Soil

10:00am  - 12:00pm
  • Volunteer Event

Member Meetup: The Resilience of the Redwoods

11:00am  - 1:00pm
  • Members Only
  • Nature Walk

Saturdays in the Soil

10:00am  - 12:00pm
  • Volunteer Event

What’s Happening at the Museum Right Now

Building Improvement Project

Bright Future Campaign

Join us!

We humbly invite every fan of the Museum to join us in building the Museum’s Bright Future as we raise funds to renovate, modernize, and expand Santa Cruz’s oldest museum. The Bright Future campaign will advance our immersive exhibits, programs, and collections, sustaining and deepening the love of nature and learning held by all who visit us. As a transformational investment in our mission, the campaign brings an opportunity to reflect on what the Museum means to each of us, and how it impacts our lives and communities.

Kid holding magnifying glass with a collage of clip art
Education Matters

Connecting kids to nature & inspiring future scientists

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is a leader in environmental education in Santa Cruz County, serving more than 30,000 children and adults each year. From programs inside our galleries and out in nature, to rentable resources and free curriculum, we are committed to making natural history fun and accessible to the community.

Lighthouse Keeper's Legacy: Tracing the Museum’s History

Learn More

Dig Deeper Into Local Natural History