Think and wonder, wonder and think. So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains. Only you can control your future. “It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.”

August 2024

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As the summer slowly comes to an end and our kiddos are going back to school, don't forget to take advantage of all the outdoor activities Santa Cruz County has to offer.

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Get Outside

There are many mental wellness benefits associated with being outside in green spaces, such as lower risk of depression and faster psychological stress recovery. Studies have shown that being in nature can restore and strengthen our mental capacities, increasing focus and attention.

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Santa Cruz has a lot of no cost and low cost opportunities. From museums to hiking and tidepooling, you are sure to find something to enrich your mind, body and spirit. 

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ADMISSION-FREE MUSEUMS

Santa Cruz County actually has quite a hefty number of museums for a not-so-big area. Luckily for us, many of them require no admission fee. The freebies include the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center, San Lorenzo Valley Historical Museum, Capitola Museum, and the Aptos History Museum. Both the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History do offer free admission a few days out of the year.

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Tidepooling

The coastal waters of Santa Cruz are rich in marine life. Some of the top spots to tide pool in the area are Natural Bridges State Beach, Wilder Ranch, Pleasure Point, Santa Maria Beach, and Davenport Landing. Whichever spot you choose, please be sure to respect the habitats and not disturb the delicate ecosystem you are lucky enough to observe.

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HIKE, HIKE, HIKE

There are so many choices when it comes to rad hiking spots in Santa Cruz. Our favorite spots are Henry Cowell State Park, Wilder Ranch, Nisene Marks State Park, Castle Rock State Park, and Land of the Medicine Buddha.

Some of parks charge an entrance fee but these helpful $$$ go to maintaining  and preserving our beautiful parks, so its a great cause.

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For more information on things to do with your kids, check out the Growing Up in Santa Cruz magazine. A free publication you can find alongside news stands around the area.