Things to Do

Mt Hermon: Redwood Canopy Tours (Ziplines) at Mount Hermon Adventures office, 17 Conference Dr, 2-hr canopy tours depart every ½-hr daily 9:30-5:00, Thurs-Mon. (831) 430-4357 for reservations and cost.

Boulder Creek

Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 9 miles northwest on SR 236. Trails for hikers, waterfalls, and a chance to spot wildlife. Natural History Museum opens daily 9-5, park 6 am-dusk. Allow 2 hrs minimum. $10/car, $9 senior/car. (831) 338-8860 or (800) 444-7275 for info.

Boulder Creek Antiques, 13164 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, (831) 338-0600.

Santa Cruz

Antique stores: Mr. Goodie's Antiques & Collectibles, 1541 Pacific Ave, Ste A, (831) 427-9997; Frank Steven R Antiques, (831) 331-8302 for hours and address.

Chardonnay Sailing Charters departs from Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. 2-hr cruises through Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary on yacht. 2-hr cruise $56. Call (831) 423-1213 for schedules and reservations.

Museum of Art & History at 705 Front St at junction of Cooper St (in the McPherson Center). Allow 1 hr minimum. Open Tues-Sun, 11-5 (also Fri 5-9). $5/person, $3/senior. (831) 429-1964 for info.

Mystery Spot, 2.5 miles north on Market St., which becomes Branciforte Dr. Scenic hiking trails through redwoods experiencing mysterious gravitation. Guided 45-min tours every ½-hr, Mon-Fri, 10-4; Sat-Sun, 10-5. $6/person, parking $5. Call (831) 423-8897 for info and to purchase tickets.

Natural Bridges State Beach is off West Cliff Dr offering many tide pools and visitor center offers ecology exhibits. Beach opens daily dawn-dusk, visitor center opens 10-4, $10/car, $9 senior/car, (831) 423-4609.

Santa Cruz Art League, 526 Broadway, presents 14 changing art exhibits. Wed-Sat, noon-5; Sun, noon-4. Donations, (831) 426-5787.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is off SR 1 following signs to the municipal wharf. Beachside amusement park opens daily, hours vary. Neptune’s Kingdom opens Fri, 11-11, Sat, 10-11, Sun, 10-10. Single prices vary, all-day ride wristband, $32.95, 2 attractions and all-day ride wristband, $40.95, parking $15. (831) 426-7433 or 423-5590.

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, 144 School St, built by Ohlone and Yokut Indians in early 1820s. Allow 1 hr min. Thurs-Sat, 10-4, Sun, noon-4. Free, call (831) 425-5849 for info.

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 E. Cliff Dr with artifacts, rocks, fossils, and touch tide pool. Allow 1 hr min. Tues-Sat, 10-5; $4/person, $2/senior. Call (831) 420-6115 for info.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Laboratory, west off SR 1 (Mission St) on Swift St then north on Delaware Ave to end of road. Aquarium, blue whale skeleton, and touch sea stars. Tues-Sun, 10-5; guided 45-lab tours at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00. $8/person, $6/senior. (831) 459-3800 for schedules.

Univ of Calif Santa Cruz Arboretum, 1490 High St at Arboretum Rd, 5 mi west of main campus entrance. Rare plan specimens on display. Open daily 9-5; $5/person. (831) 427-2998 for info and parking instructions.

Wilder Ranch State Park, 1401 Old Coast Rd with hiking trails, interpretive center about animal life on ranch, and explore main house, barn, stables and blacksmith shop. Allow 1 hr min. Park opens daily 8-dusk, Interpretive Center opens Thurs-Sun, 10-4. $10/car, $9 senior/car. (831) 423-9703 or 426-0505 for info and schedules.

Nearby antique stores: La Sirena Antiques, 500 Highway 1, Davenport, (831) 427-2766; Slawinski Auction Co, 5015 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley,(831) 335-9000; Past Glass & Antique, 7222 Highway 9, Felton, (831) 335-7202; The Abbot's Antiques Collectibles & Fine Art, 6164 Highway 9, Felton, (831) 335-0808; Lacey Days Antiques, 9280 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, (831) 336-2686; Towne & Country Antiques, 9280 Highway 9, Unit 22, Ben Lomond, (831) 336-5993.