Welcome in, folks —
This is the first edition of Low Tide Local — a weekly guide to what's happening in Santa Cruz County. Every Thursday we'll send you the week's best events, a few local stories worth knowing, and at least one thing worth leaving the house for.
I grew up here, and we’re raising our family here. It’s the greatest place in the world and we love it. I find myself always looking for things happening around Santa Cruz for our family to do, and for our date nights and we figured it others are too! My husband and I thought it was time someone put it all in one place :)
If someone forwarded this to you, subscribe here so you don't miss next week. And if you hear about something we should include, submit it here.
Let's get into it!
HAPPENINGS
Note: *family-friendly
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2
*Downtown Santa Cruz Farmers Market · 1–5 PM · Cedar St, Downtown
Fresh produce, flowers, and the easiest midweek outing in town. Show up around 3 when the crowds thin out. — details
Trivia Night at Abbott Square · 6:30 PM · Abbott Square Market
Hosted at Front and Cooper. Bring a team, grab a cocktail, test your random knowledge. Free. — details
*Full Moon Hike at Quail Hollow Ranch · 8:30–10 PM · Ben Lomond
Guided night hike through the sandhill preserve under a full moon. Bring a headlamp and layers. Ages 8+. Free but registration required — spots fill up. — details
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
Marty O'Reilly + Alex Lucero at Moe's Alley · 8 PM · 1535 Commercial Way · $30
Two of the best local musicians on the same stage. If you caught O'Reilly on The Voice, this is different — smaller room, louder soul. Lucero opens with Americana that'll make you forget it's a Thursday. — details
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
First Friday — Downtown Santa Cruz · 5–8 PM · Downtown
Galleries, shops, and cultural venues stay open late on the first Friday of every month. Low-key, walkable, good date night energy. Free. — details
Watsonville Farmers Market · 2–7 PM · City Plaza, Downtown Watsonville
Bigger produce selection than the downtown market. The prepared food vendors are the move — come hungry. Free. — details
Sweet Voodoo at Abbott Square · 7–10 PM · Abbott Square
Funk and soul in the open air. Bring a jacket — it cools off fast after sunset. — details
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
Saturday is stacked this week. Pick your lane.
Swift Street Flea Market · 10 AM–4 PM · 345 Swift St, Westside
Vintage finds, handmade goods, and the kind of thing you didn't know you needed until you see it. — details
West Cliff Spring Fling Market · 10 AM–6 PM · Lighthouse Parking Lot, West Cliff
Artisan vendors, specialty food, and live music with ocean views the entire time. Free. — details
Roaring Camp Easter Egg Hunt + Train Ride · 10:30 AM–3 PM · Roaring Camp, Felton · $32–47
Steam train through the redwoods to Bear Mountain for an egg hunt and Easter activities. This one books up — grab tickets early. Best kid event of the weekend. — details
Santa Cruz Beach Train · 10 AM–4 PM · Felton to Santa Cruz · $32–47
The Felton-to-beach run on the old rail line. Works for all ages. Trees to shining seas. — details
Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza · 1–4 PM · 795 Vista Montana, Watsonville
Classic community egg hunt in south county. Free, family-friendly. — details
The Puffball Collective at Abbott Square · 7–10 PM
Live music to close out a long Saturday.
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
Easter Brunch at Chaminade · 9 AM–6 PM · Chaminade Resort
If you want to do Easter without doing the cooking. Elevated brunch with a view up on the hill. Make a reservation. — details
MONDAY, APRIL 7
Bookshop Santa Cruz: Giant Bull Kelp Forest · 7–8 PM · Bookshop SC
Author event about the kelp forests off our coast. Low-key Monday night if you want something different. — details
WEEKEND PICK
Roaring Camp Easter Egg Hunt — Saturday, April 5
The train ride alone is worth it — narrow gauge steam engine through the redwoods, the whole deal. Add in the egg hunt at Bear Mountain and you've got a full morning. Show up early, bring layers (it's always cooler in Felton), and grab lunch in the village after. If you have kids under 10, this is the play. Tickets & details
BEFORE YOU GO
This is Edition #001, so bear with us! This format will change, ebb and flow. We have lots of ideas to include business spotlights, artist and photographer spotlights, stories, etc.
We want to hear what you think! Reply to this email, and let us know what you’d like to see here.
Know about an event we missed? Submit it here and we'll include it next week.
See you Thursday.
— Low Tide Local