Must See! Agriculture

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Agricultural History Project

Pajaro Valley's 150-year agricultural history is displayed in exhibits, equipment and tool collections, living history demonstrations, special events and activities. Open Thur.-Sun. noon-4 p.m. Extended hours during the County Fair, when it opens Claudia's Kitchen and offers hayrides and threshing demonstrations.

2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville
831-724-5898, www.santacruzcountyfair.com

Alan Chadwick Garden

Located on the University of California Santa Cruz campus, this two-acre demonstration garden is part of the UCSC Student Garden Project. Map of garden is available on site at the UCSC Farm gatehouse.

Located at UCSC's Merrill College
831-459-3240, zzyx.ucsc.edu/casfs/

Arboretum at UCSC

One of the world's most favorable horticultural sites. Offering nine specialty display sections with plants from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and California. There is a self-guided map and a guided tour is offered at 11 a.m. on Sun. It has a gift and garden shop. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

1156 High Street, between the main and West campus entrances
Norrie's Gift Shop 831-427-2998
831-423-4977, arboretum.ucsc.edu

Bamboo Giant Nursery

One of the largest bamboo display nurseries in North America, the 31-acre facility has both common and exotic species and pathways leading to various display gardens. Signs describe the featured plantings. Open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

5601 Freedom Blvd., Aptos
831-687-0100, www.bamboogiant.com

Castroville

The community is known as the Artichoke Capitol of the World. More than 95% of the nation's artichoke production comes from the fields that surround the small town that hosts an annual Artichoke Festival. It is also home to the Norma Jean Museum, which celebrates the festival's first Miss Artichoke, aka Marilyn Monroe.

Hwy 1, 28 miles south of Santa Cruz Castroville Festivals
831-633-2465, www.artichoke-festival.org

Country Crossroads Guide to U-Pick Farms

A free map & guide to 22 direct-sell and U-Pick Farms, as well as six area farmers' markets. Over 100 agricultural commodities are produced locally. The guide can be found at visitor information locations, participants and the Farm Bureau Office.

141 Monte Vista Ave., Watsonville
831-724-1356 or 831-688-0748, www.sccfb.com

Davenport

Founded in 1868 by Captain John Davenport, who built a 450 foot-long wharf to transfer timber, tanbark, corwood and cedar posts to small sailing vessels that were shipped to San Francisco. It was also an important whaling port. The present town was built to house workers from the local cement plant, which opened in 1906, and workers of the Coast Dairies. Points of historical significance are the Davenport Jail Museum (cir. 1914) and the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church (cir. 1915), which continues to offer weekly services.

Gizdich Ranch

A fourth generation family ranch. U-pick berries, May-Aug. and apples, Sept.-Oct. There is a deli, gift shop, and bakeshop offering fruit pies and other baked treats. Its apple stand features 12 seasonal varieties. Apple and apple-olallieberry juices are pressed on Saturday.

55 Peckham Rd., Watsonville
831-722-1056, www.gizdich-ranch.com

Half Moon Bay

A secluded coastal farming community and commercial seaport, known for its annual Pumpkin Festival and Mavericks extreme surf championship event. It has a charming downtown, with a collection of galleries, antique stores, and gift shops.

Hwy 1, 48 miles North of Santa Cruz Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce
650-726-8380, www.halfmoonbaychamber.org

National Steinbeck Center

This museum celebrates the writings of John Steinbeck. The main gallery features interactive displays which blend his story narratives that are shown in motion picture clips and news video of historical events, many found in the Salinas Valley. The Valley of the World gallery focuses on Salinas Valley's agricultural history. You will find an art gallery, theater, restaurant, and store. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed some holidays.

35 miles southeast from Santa Cruz
One Main St., Salinas
831-796-3833, www.steinbeck.org

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