• Seaweed Cyanotype Workshop

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

    Dive into the beautiful blue world of cyanotype printing in this hands-on workshop celebrating the shapes, textures, and surprising diversity of seaweed! Join Museum Education Director Jenny Rieke and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center Manager Ariel Hunter to create your own botanical-style prints using cyanotype ink, and fresh seaweed specimens. Participants will experiment...

  • Seaweed Summer Kick-off First Friday

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

    Celebrate First Friday this June with the kick-off of Seaweed Summer, a season of ocean-inspired programming exploring the wonders of marine algae and coastal ecosystems. Dive into the fascinating world of seaweed through hands-on activities, live demonstrations, art, and community partners highlighting the beauty, ecology, and cultural connections of our local coastline. From giant kelp...

  • Free Admission Day

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

    Free Admission Day! Discover the wonders of nature at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with free entry for everyone. Explore fascinating exhibits, connect with local wildlife, and make it a day of learning and fun for all ages. PLAN YOUR VISIT OUR EXHIBITS  

  • Naturalist Night: A Dive into Undersea Gardens

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

    Dive into our region’s vibrant undersea gardens and discover the incredible habitats that support diverse communities of seaweeds and marine life. From colorful coastal tide pools to the depths of the Monterey Canyon, marine ecologist Dr. Connor will share stories, research, and insights from a range of ocean environments right here along the Central Coast....

  • Naturalist Night: Illustrating the Birds of Santa Cruz

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

    Join local author-illustrator and Art of Nature artist Sophie Wood Brinker for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Birds of Santa Cruz. In this engaging talk, Wood Brinker will share her creative process for illustrating the 25 bird species featured in her book, from early field observations along the coast to the final hand-painted...

  • Postponed-Planning For The Future: Give Your Way

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

    We're sorry, but this event has been postponed. Please reach out with any questions. Join us for an informal and informative evening with financial experts who will be on hand to answer your questions and walk you through the giving vehicles that can help you support the causes you love while maximizing your financial and...

  • Rockin’ Pop Up!

    Rockin’ Pop Up!
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum’s galleries! Price: This special event is Free with Admission. $5 Adults | $3 Students and Seniors | Free for Youth Under 18 | Free for Museum Members. What can you bring: Rocks, fossils, gems, and...

  • Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...

  • Sip & Paint: Illustrating Fish

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

    Join us at the Museum for a creative evening with Art of Nature artist Calene Luzco Fletcher in this sip and paint style workshop focused on fish illustration! We’ll begin with a short overview of fish and how they have been represented in scientific guidebooks, with a look at the role illustration plays in documenting...

  • Spring Artist Market

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

    Join us for our Spring Artist Market in the Park on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m! Celebrate the season with a curated lineup of local artists, makers, and creatives showcasing nature-inspired goods just in time for Mother’s Day. Browse unique, handmade items, meet the artists, and enjoy a vibrant afternoon in...

  • Fauna First Friday

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

    Celebrate First Friday this May with a special fauna-themed evening honoring our Art of Nature exhibit. Explore artwork inspired by the animals of our region, from coast to redwoods, and connect with local artists and community partners bringing these stories to life. Enjoy hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and fresh perspectives on the creatures that shape our...

  • Free Admission Day

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

    Free Admission Day! Discover the wonders of nature at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with free entry for everyone. Explore fascinating exhibits, connect with local wildlife, and make it a day of learning and fun for all ages. PLAN YOUR VISIT OUR EXHIBITS  

  • Returning Fire to Coastal Prairies: Lessons Learned

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

    Celebrate the flower-filled month of April with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History and the Santa Cruz County chapter of the California Native Plant Society as we spotlight the science and beauty of local flora. Join graduate researcher Georgia Vasey for an engaging talk on the role of prescribed fire in restoring California’s coastal...

  • Neighborhood Sustainability and Resiliency Workshop

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

    Join us at the Museum on April 26th from 1-3pm for a Neighborhood Resiliency Workshop with Ecology Action and the City of Santa Cruz! Together we'll build neighborhood connections and increase community confidence, preparedness, and resiliency towards climate disasters while sharing resources that support sustainable habits. Host a workshop in your own neighborhood within Santa Cruz...

  • Botanical Illustration: Hummingbird Sage

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

    Join Art of Nature exhibit artist Erin Ellis for an immersive botanical illustration workshop focused on the beauty and complexity of Hummingbird Sage. Found growing right outside the Museum, this fragrant native plant offers a perfect subject for slowing down and observing the intricate details of the natural world. REGISTER The workshop will begin with...

  • Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...

  • Botanical Ink Making

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

    Join Art of Nature artist Avery Maltz for a hands-on workshop exploring botanical ink-making using locally sourced plants. In this small-group setting, you’ll learn how natural pigments are extracted and turned into usable inks. Avery will demonstrate the process step by step, showing how plant materials are simmered and transformed, and how factors like heat,...

  • “Singing from the Deep End” Poetry with Perugia Press

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

    Please join us in celebrating the publication of Singing from the Deep End (CavanKerry 2026), a poetry collection about girldom and friendship set on the rocky Atlantic coast by Rebecca Hart Olander. In addition to being a poet, Olander is the editor and publisher at Perugia Press, a press dedicated to publishing first and second books by women...

  • Flora First Friday

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

    Join us at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for a special First Friday celebrating our Art of Nature exhibition and the beauty of plants. This month’s event is Flora-themed, highlighting the incredible diversity of local plant life and the artists inspired by it. Meet Art of Nature artists, learn about their creative process,...

  • Free Admission Day

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

    Free Admission Day! Discover the wonders of nature at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with free entry for everyone. Explore fascinating exhibits, connect with local wildlife, and make it a day of learning and fun for all ages. PLAN YOUR VISIT OUR EXHIBITS  

  • Member Opening: The Art of Nature

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

    Museum Members and exhibit artists are invited to join us for a special opening reception for our beloved annual exhibit, The Art of Nature. Enjoy a festive evening with refreshments, and be among the first to explore the featured works! RSVP Online or email events@santacruzmuseum.org  Explore the beauty and fine details of the natural world around...

  • Rockin’ Pop Up!

    Rockin’ Pop Up!
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum’s galleries! Price: This special event is Free with Admission. $5 Adults | $3 Students and Seniors | Free for Youth Under 18 | Free for Museum Members. What can you bring: Rocks, fossils, gems, and...

  • Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...

  • Salamander Sip & Paint

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

    Get hands-on with herpetology and creativity at this paint and sip workshop at the Museum. Join science illustrator and naturalist Hannah Caisse for an evening of art, learning, and amphibian appreciation. Participants will choose from a selection of 3D printed salamander and herp models and paint their own scientifically inspired creation using acrylic paints. Hannah...

  • Herpetology First Friday

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

    Get ready for a Herpetology Happy Hour! This month we're celebrating the slimy, scaled, and slithering inhabitants of our local ecosystems. Connect with artists, scientists, and community partners who study, steward, and protect amphibians and reptiles. Enjoy live animals, hands-on activities, refreshments, free museum admission, and special seasonal items in the Museum Store. An open...

  • Free Admission Day

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

    Free Admission Day! Discover the wonders of nature at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with free entry for everyone. Explore fascinating exhibits, connect with local wildlife, and make it a day of learning and fun for all ages. PLAN YOUR VISIT OUR EXHIBITS  

  • Saturdays in the Soil

    Saturdays in the Soil
    Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Every third Saturday of the month, we invite volunteers to come together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. During this volunteering event, you'll get your hands dirty assisting with the maintenance of the park, our pollinator garden, and Pilkington Creek, while gaining insights into local ecology, native plants, and...

  • Fungi Natural Dye Techniques

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

    This hands-on workshop introduces natural dyeing with plants and fungi, including mushroom-based dyes. Participants will learn basic folding techniques, experiment with multiple dye baths, and explore how pH modifiers like vinegar and baking soda affect color. The workshop also includes a brief demonstration on working with natural charcoal and draws inspiration from traditional dye practices....

  • Discovering and Drawing Fungi

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

    Join us to learn about mushrooms and how to identify and differentiate between various species. We will discuss mushroom picking and collecting etiquette, and various ways of identifying fungus genus and species – by shape, parts, and anatomy of a mushroom, color, smell, and tree associations! Participants will have time to explore, find, and closely...

  • Fungus February First Friday

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

    Get ready for a fun-gi First Friday at the Museum! Our Fungus February First Friday invites you to dive into the fascinating world of fungi and the vital role they play in our local ecosystems. From underground networks to above-ground marvels, this evening celebrates the weird, wonderful, and essential world of mushrooms. Connect with artists,...

  • Free Admission Day

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

    Free Admission Day! Discover the wonders of nature at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History with free entry for everyone. Explore fascinating exhibits, connect with local wildlife, and make it a day of learning and fun for all ages. PLAN YOUR VISIT OUR EXHIBITS  

  • Naturalist Night: Lichens 101

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

    Lichens are all around us, yet they are often overlooked and misunderstood. Join lichen expert Ken Kellman for an engaging evening exploring these fascinating organisms, beginning with an introductory lecture followed by a hands-on lichen identification session. Participants will examine a variety of local lichen species using dissecting microscopes and learn how to observe key...

  • Rockin’ Pop Up!

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

    Join geologists from University of California, Santa Cruz to share your mineralogical marvels and get them identified inside the Museum’s galleries! Price: This special event is Free during our Laura Hecox Day celebration! What can you bring: Rocks, fossils, gems, and minerals are all welcome! Feel free to bring as many samples as you like,...

  • Laura Hecox Day 2026

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

    Continuing a tradition that began in 2016, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History will celebrate the birthday of its founder, Santa Cruz naturalist and lightkeeper, Laura Hecox, at this special open house. The outdoor event will include Victorian-era activities, community partners, historians, and the 2026 Laura Hecox Naturalist award presentation.   Program: 10am-5pm: FREE...