Connecting people to the wonders of nature for over 100 years
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What’s Happening at the Museum Right Now
The Santa Cruz Fungus Fair
January 9-11, 2026Fungus season in Santa Cruz means celebration! For over 50 years, the Santa Cruz Fungus Fair is has been the go-to destination to learn fascinating and fun facts about beautiful and diverse species of mushrooms. View remarkable mushroom exhibits, experience fun arts and crafts, taste unusual and exceptionally good fungal fare and shop mushroom merchandise. This unique Santa Cruz area tradition draws thousands of visitors each January, so it’s recommended that you get your tickets in advance.
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.
Educational Resources
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.
Dig Deeper Into Local Natural History
