Things to do on a grey day in Santa Cruz County, California
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There is so much to do in and around Santa Cruz when its not the sunniest day. From going to a museum to learn about the History of Santa Cruz to shopping at the Pacific Garden Mall, you can find something that everyone will enjoy. Here is a list of places the family or individuals can do on a grey day.
Pacific Garden Mall
Downtown is the Heart of Santa Cruz. filled with a wide range of boutiques, sidewalk cafe's, over fifty restaurant choices, and an exciting nightlife with several music venues, cinema and live performances, Downtown truly has something for everyone! Visit their site
Seymore Marine Discovery Center
Visit a working marine laboratory. Exhibit halls, aquarium, touch tanks, tours to marine mammal research overlook, Ocean Discovery Shop, and unsurpassed vistas of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Hold a sea star - marvel at the world's largest whale skeleton - see full-size elephant seal sculptures - think like a scientist! Visit their site
Shakespeare Santa Cruz
Shakespeare Santa Cruz is a professional theater Festival founded in 1981 and held annually on the campus of the University of California, Santa Cruz. Plays by Shakespeare and other great dramatists are performed indoors on the UCSC Theater Arts Main stage and outdoors in a redwood grove. Bringing in professional actors, directors and designers from throughout the country, the Company's season runs from July to early September and presents three or four plays that run concurrently in repertory six days a week (no performance on Mondays). With a mission to "cultivate the imagination, wit, daring, and vision that the greatest playwrights demand of artists and audiences alike," SSC seeks to present a festival of theatre which showcases contemporary approaches to directing, designing and acting. Visit their site
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
As one of the last of the great seaside amusement parks in the United States, the Boardwalk gets better every year. The Boardwalk's roots go back to 1865, when John Leibrandt opened a public bathhouse near the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. Other bathhouses followed and scores of tourists began visiting Santa Cruz to enjoy the highly-touted natural medicine of bathing in salt water. Visit their site
Museum of Arts and History
The Museum of Art and History (MAH) is all about visual culture and open all year long with four galleries on three floors with exhibits, family activities, tours, education programs, Historical archives, film series and lectures PLUS three historical sites: The Octagon Building, the Evergreen Cemetery and the Davenport Jail. Visit their site
UCSC Arboretum
Situated on what is now the campus of the University of California at Santa Cruz and what was originally part of the vast land holdings of pioneer settler Henry Cowell, the Arboretum occupies one of the most propitious horticultural sites in the world. The climatic and topographic diversity is such as to allow experimentation with almost every species that might be grown along the coast between San Diego and Crescent City, and the diversity of the soils--the underlying rock includes granite, schist, limestone, and several types of sandstone--can scarcely be matched anywhere. Visit their site
Monarch Butterflies
Natural Bridges Natural Bridges State Beach is world-renowned for its yearly migration of monarch butterflies. Visitors can see thousands during the butterflies' peak season. The best time to see monarchs in the park is usually from mid-October to late January. (Dates the butterflies arrive and leave can vary widely from year to year. Call ahead to find out if the monarchs have arrived in mid-October, and to make sure they are still in the grove in late January.) Visit their site
Capitola Historical Museum
The Capitola Historical Museum maintains extensive collections of photographs and artifacts related to Capitola's history, and offers changing exhibits on the history and art of the area, as well as on special seasonal and topical themes. Museum grounds now include a reconstructed cottage from the era of the early 20th century beach resort. Restoration of a wash house is a new, ongoing Museum project. Come visit us! Visit their site
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has been bringing the delights and wonders of the natural world to Santa Cruz residents and visitors for 100 years. With it's early beginnings in the Santa Cruz public library, the Museum collections and displays have been housed in various locations in the City. Visit their site
Santa Cruz Surf Museum
Housed in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse, the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum traces over 100 years of surfing history as it relates to Santa Cruz. Visitors to the museum will enjoy a spectacular view of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay while overlooking Steamer Lane, an internationally known surfing site. Visit their site
Capitola Mall
Opened in 1977, Capitola Mall was renovated and expanded in 1988/89 to comprise of four department stores, and over 100 specialty shops and restaurants. In Spring 2002, Macy's joined the current anchor mix of Gottschalks, Mervyn's and Sears. The only enclosed regional shopping center in Santa Cruz County, Capitola Mall draws shoppers from Watsonville to Scotts Valley. Visit their site
Surfbowl Bowling
Next to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Boardwalk Bowl is a state-of-the-art bowling facility, arcade and lounge with plenty of party fun! The Boardwalk Bowl offers flexible party options for kids, teens and adults. Kid's birthday party themes from Harry Potter to Sponge Bob to Disney Princess! Visit their site
Roaring Camp
The Santa Cruz, Big Trees & Pacific Railway Company operates passenger and freight services on one of the oldest and most historic lines in California. When the route opened in 1875 it carried picnickers and tourists to the Big Trees and Santa Cruz. Today’s Beach Trains travel through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, down the scenic San Lorenzo River Gorge, across a 1909 steel truss bridge, and through an 1875 tunnel before arriving at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Visit their site
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Just 45 minutes south from Santa Cruz, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is your window to the wonders of the ocean. From amazing animals to special events with live music, there's something here for everyone. Experience the wonders of ocean life—out on the bay, behind the scenes and underwater.Visit their site
Scotts Valley Sport and Event Center
If you like Indoor soccer, skating, hockey, or you want to host an event, visit the Scotts Valley sports and event center. Public skating Saturdays & Sundays 2:00pm-4:00pm $5.00 admission, $2.50 skate rental (inline or quad) At the end of your skate session trade your wrist band for a free gift.Visit their siteNeary Lagoon
Neary Lagoon is an important part of the urban watershed for the west side of the city of Santa Cruz. A drainage area of approximately 850 acres empties into the lagoon, and from there, out to the ocean. Visit their siteSee the Santa Cruz County School District map of the school districts in Santa Cruz County that your child may attend. Click on the plus + or minus - buttons to enlarge the map. Before making any decision on buying a home, call the school district to be sure your potential home is in the district you want. As schools face economic problems, some schools may close or the boundaries may have changed. You can contact the Santa Cruz County Office of Education at 831-476-7140 or visit the website of the schools or districts and call the appropriate one.
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