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★ Featured this season

Promotional image for Naturalist Night: Plankton 101 ★ Featured
Wed, Aug 19, 2026 · Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Naturalist Night: Plankton 101

Did you know that every other breath we take comes from phytoplankton? Dive into the hidden world of plankton and discover the tiny organisms that form the foundation of Monterey Bay’s rich marine ecosystem. Join marine scientist and educator Jane Silberstein for an engaging introduction to phytoplankton, zooplankton, and the remarkable roles they play in supporting ocean life. After the talk, you’ll have the opportunity to observe live plankton under a microscope and get an up-close look at these incredible microscopic organisms. Whether you’re a curious beachgoer, an aspiring naturalist, or simply fascinated by the ocean, this lecture will leave you with a new appreciation for the life drifting just beneath the surface. These amazing organisms form the base of the marine food web, produce much of the oxygen we breathe, influence the color of the ocean, and support countless species throughout Monterey Bay and beyond. REGISTER HERE Location: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Ticket Price: $12 Discounts: $5 member discount About the Speaker : Jane Silberstein brings more than 40 years of experience studying and teaching about the marine life of Monterey Bay. She earned her undergraduate degree in science with an emphasis in marine science from UC Santa Cruz and her graduate degree in Invertebrate Marine Ecology from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. During her 33 years at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Jane worked on all three plankton guide stations, sharing the fascinating world of plankton with visitors from around the globe. She has also taught plankton through Cabrillo College’s Pacific Plankton Program for nearly six years, inspiring students to explore the remarkable microscopic organisms that support life in the ocean. Jane is passionate about making the microscopic world accessible to audiences of all ages and helping others discover the incredible diversity of life drifting just beneath the surface. Accessibility and Logistics : This program will take place

Event page ↗
Education 📍 Seabright & Harbor
Promotional image for Steve Hawk ★ Featured
Wed, Aug 19, 2026 · Bookshop Santa Cruz

Steve Hawk

Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes Steve Hawk, the longest serving editor of Surfer (1991-1998), who will share his thrilling new novel Nearshore , a mix of literary suspense and coastal noir which follows an unlikely trio on the California coast who investigate a nuclear terrorist act. Hawk will be in conversation with Charles Duhigg at this event.

Event page ↗ Venue site ↗
Family 📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
Promotional image for The Deep Unreal Coming up
Tue, Aug 11, 2026 · The Grateful Red Barn at Cabrillo Cottage Farms

The Deep Unreal

Henry Kaiser, Bob Bralove, John Hanrahan, Jennifer Burnes, Nathan Moore

Event page ↗
Music 📍 Aptos & Seacliff
Promotional image for Fishhook ROCKS the Santa Cruz Wharf Summer Concert! Let's Party! Coming up
Tue, Aug 11, 2026 · Santa Cruz Wharf

Fishhook ROCKS the Santa Cruz Wharf Summer Concert! Let's Party!

Hey Fishhook Fans, We will be rocking the Free Santa Cruz Wharf Summer Tuesday Night Live at the Wharf Commons stage on Tuesday, August 11th! This outdoor festival is free and open to all ages! If you have never been there, then expect a treat! It's an absolutely beautiful location with panoramic views of Monterey Bay, and the sunsets are not to be missed! Don't miss it! As you may know, we are the band that does not let up on the gas! Hear all your favorite songs "leveled up" the FISHHOOK way! You know we deliver the best Rock and Roll in town. Location: 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA Let's Party! And bring your friends too. The show starts at 6:00 PM and ends at 8:00 PM.

Event page ↗
Music 📍 Beach & Boardwalk

☀️ Happening today

Tuesday, August 11

44 events on today. No plans required, just go.

9:00 AM
$59
Dynomite Farm: Private Dahlia U-Cut Experience
📍 Dynomite Farm
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
Free Health Screening: Diabetes
📍 Watsonville Civic Plaza
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
Qigong with Tara - Wisdom Workshops @ TDC
📍 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA
LGBTQ+
10:00 AM
FREE
Volunteer Information Session - Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month
📍 UCSC Arboretum
Community
10:00 AM
See listing
Free Health Screening
📍 Watsonville
Art & Culture
10:00 AM
See listing
Volunteer at the UCSC Arboretum
📍 Arboretum
Education
10:30 AM
See listing
Toddler Tumble Time
📍 Watsonville Public Library
Education
11:00 AM
See listing
In-person Tech Help @ Scotts Valley
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community
11:00 AM
See listing
Backgammon @ the Library
📍 Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Community

What's happening

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4 upcoming events · Food & Drink · from 2026-08-11 · to 2026-08-11

Aug
11

Santa Cruz Farmers Markets

📍 The Felton Market
🕒 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM · See listing

The Felton Farmers’ Market is a treasured weekly gathering place – started in 1987 it is the second longest running market in Santa Cruz County. SCCFM took over operations in 2009 and our team has developed deep ties to the community. Every Tuesday a quality collection of regional farms and food businesses throw up their tents to sell a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, artisanal bread, seafood and other staple foods. Connecting residents directly with local farms, the Felton Market is an essential part of the regional food system as well as a resource for nutritious organic foods and basic agricultural education.

Event page ↗
Markets Food & Drink 📍 San Lorenzo Valley Details →
Aug
11

Santa Cruz Wharf: Live Concert Series

📍 Santa Cruz Wharf
🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · FREE

Welcome back to Tuesday Night Live at the Wharf Common’s stage! Every 2 nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, head to the Wharf for live music and additional shows from 6 to 8pm. Check out Wharf Business pop ups, or make a dinner reservation before the shows. Be sure to bring a chair or wear your dancing shoes! May 26, 2026: SambaDá June 9, 2026: The Viva Santana Show June 23: 2026: The Unauthorized Rolling Stones July 14: 2026: Sweet VooDoo July 28: The Lost Boys Featuring James Durbin August 11, 2026: Santa Cruda August 25, 2026: The Joint Chiefs September 8, 2026: Extra Large After parties after every show will take place upstairs at Vino by the Sea !

Event page ↗ Venue site ↗
Outdoors Food & Drink 📍 Beach & Boardwalk Details →
Aug
11

Trivia Tuesdays at Discretion

📍 Discretion Brewing
🕒 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM · See listing

Join us for Trivia Tuesdays at Discretion! Every Tuesday 6:30-8:00pm Hosted by Michael Cahalan Pair one of our 16 beers on tap with some lively Trivia, every Tuesday at 6:30pm. No sign-ups required - just come a little early to snag a table in the beer garden. Free to play | Prizes | Up to 6 per team

Event page ↗
Food & Drink Free 📍 Soquel Details →

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