Santa Cruz This Weekend: Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes & Fall Fun
Pumpkins by the ocean, cider at the farm, and a little spooky fun downtown. Plan your Santa Cruz weekend with local pumpkin patches, a corn maze, harvest festivals, Open Studios, and more.
Best Days, Wild Bees, and a Full Heart: Banff at the Rio
I went to the Banff Mountain Film Festival at Santa Cruz’s historic Rio Theatre expecting adventure. I left with a full heart, questions about the limits I place on myself, and a renewed love for bees. Six films opened windows into other people’s worlds and helped me rediscover parts of my own.
Take Yourself Somewhere Interesting
You don’t need company to make an afternoon worth leaving the house for. Wander through the Tannery’s artist studios, meet the makers, and give your curiosity a little time to lead. A solo art date for Santa Cruz Open Studios.
Santa Cruz Weekend Guide: Things to Do August 21–23, 2026
Summerween, live music, farmers markets, flowers, Shakespeare in the redwoods and a triathlon by the sea. Here’s what’s worth doing in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos and Watsonville this weekend, August 21–23.
Things to Do in Santa Cruz This Weekend | August 14–16, 2026
Summer is showing off in Santa Cruz. From strawberries at the UCSC Farm and art and wine under the redwoods to live music, local makers and a Sunday ride on the Giant Dipper, here’s what’s worth leaving the house for this weekend.
Your Perfect Santa Cruz Weekend: Strawberry Festivals, Farmers Markets & Coastal Magic (August 1–2)
Summer is showing off this weekend. From strawberry-filled streets in Watsonville to slow mornings at the Aptos Farmers Market, Shakespeare beneath the redwoods, and sunset along the coast, here's your curated guide to the best things happening around Santa Cruz, Capitola, and Aptos. Slow down, wander a little, and let the weekend surprise you.
Alley Oop: Santa Cruz's Best Kept Secret
Some places announce themselves. Alley Oop doesn't. Hidden in downtown Santa Cruz, this moody speakeasy serves cocktails, caviar, and enough intrigue to make an ordinary night feel like a scene from another era. I went for a drink and left feeling like I'd discovered a secret.
My New Local Loves in Santa Cruz
Discover my favorite local spots in Santa Cruz, from cozy coffee shops and charming bakeries to beachside boutiques, farmers markets, and breathtaking sunset views. After moving from San Francisco, these are the places that have already become part of my everyday rhythm — plus a look at what I still miss from the city and what I’m more than happy to leave behind.
The Things I Hope I Never Get Used To
A love letter to the ordinary moments I hope never become background noise, from Pacific sunsets and cold ocean water to fresh coffee, live music, new books, and the kind of kiss that briefly quiets the world.
In-Shape vs. Santa Cruz Athletic Club: A Very Unscientific Comparison
The pool almost kept me. The red light therapy bed sealed the deal. After months at In-Shape Capitola, I'm making the move to Santa Cruz Athletic Club, and the reasons have less to do with fitness than you might think.
The Art of Being Hard to Impress and Easy to Delight
The older I get, the less interested I am in being impressed. Fancy things fade. Status loses its sparkle. Yet somehow, I've become easier to delight. A perfect peach, a great song, a dog racing down the beach. Maybe wisdom isn't becoming cynical. Maybe it's learning to find wonder in the things that were beautiful all along. ✨🌊🍑
A Delicious Weekend in Santa Cruz
A Delicious Weekend in Santa Cruz | June 19-21