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

We have been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums!

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Upcoming Events

Seaweed Sip & Paint

6:00pm  - 8:00pm
  • Workshop

Free Admission Day

11:00am  - 4:00pm
  • Open House

First Friday: Migration Celebration

5:00pm  - 8:00pm
  • First Friday
  • Open House

Toddler Tumble Time

10:30am  - 11:30am
  • Vamos Afuera

Member Meet Up: Hatchery Tour

10:00am  - 12:00pm
  • Members Only
  • Nature Walk

Rockin’ Pop Up!

12:00pm  - 2:00pm
  • Pop-Up

Toddler Tumble Time

10:30am  - 11:30am
  • Vamos Afuera

What’s Happening at the Museum Right Now

Fall Migration

This September we’re celebrating all things migration! Each changing season brings different species to the Santa Cruz region as they search for food, breeding grounds, and safe shelter. Explore our exhibits and join us as we dive into the fascinating phenomena of migration.

 

First Friday Migration Celebration

 

Enjoy FREE admission to the Museum all day with special activities from 5-8pm.

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.

Dive Deeper Into Santa Cruz

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

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