Aug
11
Event date: August 11, 2026 Event Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: 275 Main Street, Suite #100 Watsonville, CA 95076
📍 Santa Cruz County, CA
From the waves to the redwoods, it's all happening here.
Live music, festivals, art walks, surf contests, trail days and everything in between.
In-person only, on purpose. Everything here is something you can actually show up to. No screens, no streams.
★ Featured this season
★ 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
Education
📍 Seabright & Harbor
★ 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.
Family
📍 Downtown Santa Cruz
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
Music
📍 Aptos & Seacliff
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.
Music
📍 Beach & Boardwalk
☀️ Happening today
Tuesday, August 1144 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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5 upcoming events · Wellness · from 2026-08-11 · to 2026-08-11
Aug
11
Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia
📍 Boulder Creek Branch Library
🕒 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM · See listing
Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer's, the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available for some symptoms, and Alzheimer's Association resources.
Aug
11
Tuesday, August 11 2026 12:15pm - 2:15pm Join a health book club with educational discussions led by Dr. Rabia Barkins, a licensed holistic health practitioner. Improve overall health with lifestyle changes to diet, exercise, and more.
Aug
11
Wing Chun martial arts classes with instructor Marcus at The 418 Project in Santa Cruz, meeting multiple times per week.
Aug
11
Rainbow Sangha at Insight Meditation Center (Outside Community Event)
📍 Insight Santa Cruz, 740 Front Street (2nd floor of the Galleria building)
🕒 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM · See listing
Rainbow Sangha Sit, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month , 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Rainbow Sangha group offers a safer space for individuals who identify as queer, non-binary, transgender, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, gay, intersex, questioning, and others who identify outside of cisgender, heterosexual mainstream culture. Please see more information on the Rainbow Sangha page at Insight Santa Cruz . .
Hosting something rad?
If it's happening in person anywhere in Santa Cruz County, whether it's a show, a market, a paddle-out, or a gallery night, we want it on the calendar. Submissions are free and reviewed by our editors.
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