A weekly guide to what’s happening.
Green Fix
The Road Less Traveled: A Dog-Friendly Walk
Good New Year’s resolution: taking the road less traveled. Why not start off right with this literal “road less traveled” walk? The group will walk along the North Escape Road, a paved road closed to traffic featuring stunning old-growth redwood groves along beautiful Opal Creek. The docent will talk about redwood ecology and park history while exploring the redwood forest. This is a 3-mile, two-hour walk for those with or without dogs. Bring water and comfortable shoes. Meet at park headquarters.
INFO: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 30. Big Basin Redwoods State Park. 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek. 338-8883, parks.ca.gov/bigbasin. Free/parking $10.
Art Seen
Toy Trains Exhibit
Destined to delight the young and young at heart, the MAH’s annual Toy Trains exhibit is a marvel of astonishingly lifelike trains and landscapes to inspire any age group. The event showcases model trains through history, from the 1920s to today, and includes steam engines, electric trains and all of the bells and whistles to boot.
INFO: Wednesday, Dec. 26-Sunday, Jan. 6. Museum of Art and History. 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. Free.
Saturday 12/29
Snakes Alive
Join Big Basin Redwoods State Park Docent Diane Shaw in talking about the fascinating world of snakes. These little slithery noodle friends are a crucial part of our ecosystem—think of them as big worms just worming around. Shaw is bringing her snake for a show and tell, so feel free to bring your own little friend for a slithery play date. No snake? No problem, just grab one off the side of the road on your way up the mountain—they love that.
INFO: Noon-3 p.m. Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 21600 Big Basin Way, Boulder Creek. 338-8883, parks.ca.gov/bigbasin. Free/parking $10.
Tuesday 1/1
First Day Hikes
We hear the best cure for a hangover is a hike. What, you haven’t heard that? Try it, you’ll thank us later. Kick off the new year right by enjoying the best of the Santa Cruz outdoors. On New Year’s Day, state parks and beaches across the county are hosting special, first day docent-led hikes and explorations. From Henry Cowell to Nisene Marks and Seacliff State Beach, there are a bunch of options to choose from. Check online for full list of events, hikes and information.
INFO: Times and locations vary. parks.ca.gov. Free/$10 parking.
