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  • Featured Pleistocene Pop-Up

    First Friday: Fossil Frenzy

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Every year, October 15th is National Fossil Day. But why limit the fun to just a day? At the Museum, we’re turning it into a month-long celebration of fossils with a Pleistocene Pop-Up exhibit and events! Our Fossil Frenzy First Friday will showcase paleontologists, geologists, and scientific illustrators with a fossil focus. Bring your mystery...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...

  • Pleistocene Pop-Up

    Fossil Family Fun Day

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Join your friends at the Museum as we put the “pal” in paleontology at this Pleistocene Pop-Up family fun festival all about fossils! Meet geologists, paleontologists, naturalists, and artists for an afternoon of family-friendly fun, activity stations, fossil interactives, and so much more. Featured programs throughout the day include a fossil identification station, a Rockin’...

  • Pleistocene Pop-Up

    Marine Fossil Paleontology Expedition

    Capitola Beach Capitola Beach, CA, United States

    Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to participate in a paleontological expedition to uncover the remains of extinct marine life. Guided by paleontologist Wayne Thompson, travel 5-million years back in time to the bottom of the seafloor and discover the prehistoric creatures of the ancient Monterey Bay area. Participants will search for, decipher, and identify the...

  • ON HOLD: Cotoni-Coast Dairies Full Moon Hike

    Cotoni Coast Dairies Davenport, CA

    NOTICE: Temporary Program Pause Due to the U.S. government shutdown, our Full Moon Hikes at the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument (in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management) are currently on hold. We plan to reschedule these special programs once operations resume. Thank you for your understanding. For questions, please contact events@santacruzmuseum.org.

  • Pleistocene Pop-Up

    Tracking California’s Dinosaurs

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Where are all the dinosaur fossils in California? What happened to California dinosaurs? Did they exist here? Were there dinosaurs in Santa Cruz? If not, why? Learn the answers to those questions and much more as we unearth the mysteries of California’s dinosaurs. Join vertebrate paleontologist and environmental geologist, Prof. Hilde Schwartz, as she takes...

  • Mobile Museum: Teeth

    Watsonville Public Library 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville, CA, United States

    Come enjoy our collection of natural history. Learn about local mammals and their dentition. ¡Venga a disfrutar de nuestra colección de historia natural. Aprenda sobre los mamíferos locales y su dentición.   These programs are funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants...

  • Toddler Tumble Time

    Watsonville Public Library 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville, CA, United States

    Come Join Us for Toddler Tumble Time! We’ll be featuring our natural history collection and offering a fun coloring activity. Bring your little ones to explore and learn about fascinating local creatures. Don’t miss out on the fun! ¡Acompáñanos en la Hora de Juegos para Pequeñitos! Presentaremos nuestra colección de historia natural y ofreceremos una...

  • Family Fun Festival

    Mintie White Elementary 515 Palm Ave, Watsonville, CA, United States

    Join us for family activities, bike demos, a raffle, and snacks! ¡Acompáñenos para actividades familiares, demostraciones de bicicletas, rifas y refrigerios!

  • Open Studios Preview Exhibit

    PVA Porter Building 280 Main St., Watsonville, United States

    Visit us at Pajaro Valley Arts to see our mammal collections, create an animal print, and preview artwork from Open Studios artists across the region. Visítenos en Pajaro Valley Arts para ver nuestras colecciones de mamíferos, crear una impresión de huella de animal y descubrir las obras de los artistas de Open Studios.

  • Featured

    Museum of the Macabre Halloween Party

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Join us for a howling good time with this year’s Museum of the Macabre: Creatures of the Night! The Museum will be turned into a haunted house full of the bone-chilling taxidermy that inspired your favorite movie monsters. Get up close and personal with every type of Halloween horror. Experience the natural history of your...

  • Mi Casa es Tu Casa: Enraizados en el Recuerdo

    Pajaro Valley Arts 37 Sudden St., Watsonville, CA, United States

    Inspired by Día de los Muertos—a tradition that honors loved ones who have passed. Join us for viewing our skulls collection, altars, installations, and artworks from diverse cultural traditions. Inspirado en el Día de los Muertos, una tradición que honra a los seres queridos que han fallecido. Acompáñanos para ver nuestra colección de calaveras, altares,...

  • ON HOLD: Cotoni-Coast Dairies Full Moon Hike

    Cotoni Coast Dairies Davenport, CA

    NOTICE: Temporary Program Pause Due to the U.S. government shutdown, our Full Moon Hikes at the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument (in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management) are currently on hold. We plan to reschedule these special programs once operations resume. Thank you for your understanding. For questions, please contact events@santacruzmuseum.org.

  • Mobile Museum: Herpetology

    Watsonville Public Library 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville, CA, United States

    Families will have an opportunity to view and interact with the herpetology collection from the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History. Herpetology is a branch of zoology that studies reptiles and amphibians. The exhibit includes snake specimens in jars, snake skins, sea turtle carapace, and even a live rosy boa named Dolores! Las familias tendrán...

  • Featured

    First Friday: Treasured Trees

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Get ready for a tree-mendous First Friday at the Museum! Our Redwoods First Friday will celebrate and explore the wonders and history of our local redwood forests while highlighting the Treasured Trees exhibit. Connect with artists, naturalists, and community partners who work to protect and share the beauty of redwoods. Enjoy hands-on activities, free museum...

  • Bilingual Environmental Organizations Summit

    SOMOS Watsonville 112 E Beach St., Watsonville, CA, United States

    Join us at SOMOS Watsonville to learn about local environmental organizations and the bilingual resources available for the community. Encuéntrenos en SOMOS Watsonville para aprender sobre las organizaciones ambientales locales y los recursos bilingües disponibles para la comunidad.

  • Collections Club with Jane Kim

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Join artist Jane Kim and Jenny Rieke, the Museum's Associate Director of Education, in conversation about the art and science of interpreting nature. Learn how the artwork for the Treasured Trees exhibit was developed, and hear how the partnership between institutions like the Museum and artists can bring to life scientific concepts for public education...

  • Building Alliances in Indigenous Education

    Cabrillo College 6500 Soquel Dr., Aptos, CA, United States

    A Convening for Indigenous Leaders and Public Educators A One-Day Workshop - LEARN MORE &  REGISTER HERE - SPACE IS LIMITED Samper Hall, Cabrillo College    Are you an Indigenous leader or a public educator committed to fostering meaningful partnerships and enriching Indigenous education? Join us for a free transformative one-day workshop designed to cultivate understanding,...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...

  • Featured

    Redwood Grain Printmaking

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    In this hands-on masterclass, artist Jane Kim will demonstrate the tree ring printing process used to create the artworks of Treasured Trees. Attendees will acquire basic know-how of the skills and tools required to practice this beautiful technique at home. REGISTER About the Speaker Jane is a visual artist, science illustrator, and the founder of...

  • Holiday Sale and Art Market

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Looking for locally made, nature-inspired gifts this holiday season? Join us for the Museum’s Holiday Sale and Art Market, featuring a curated selection of art, jewelry, home décor, prints, and more from over 20 local artists and makers whose work celebrates nature and natural history. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts inspired by...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...

  • Winter Wonders Camp

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Winter can be a wild time! Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History this winter break to learn about the seasons, the weather, and how plants and animals adapt to survive the wintertime. Explore nature, make art, and play with new friends while learning about local natural history. For K-2nd Graders (5-7 Years Old)...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...

  • 3 people working in a garden
    Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil

    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    We are coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. At the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, you gain new wisdom about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while connecting with nature outdoors. It’s time to get your hands dirty! Join us and volunteer in the Museum’s...