Must See! Gardens

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Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

Events are held at various venues, which range from art exhibits and quilt shows to craft and trade fairs, concerts and reunions. A current event schedule can be found on its website.

Highway 152, Watsonville
831-724-5671, www.santacruzcountyfair.com

Sierra Azul Nursery Gardens

A retail nursery specializing in Mediterranean plants from around the world, as well as water conserving gardens and landscapes. Its two acre demonstration garden features mature plants, an 80-foot-long rose arbor, and many sculpture pieces crated by area artists. The gardens and gift shop are open daily 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

2660 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville
831-763-0939, www.sierraazul.com

The Farm

An agricultural education center & local farming business. There are demonstration gardens, produce stand, picnic area, live animals, and tours of the grounds. Open April-Dec 22, Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

41 miles southeast from Santa Cruz Hwy. 68 off the Spreckels Rd., Gilroy
831-455-2575, www.thefarm-salinasvalley.com

UCSC Farm and Garden

The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems operates a 25-acre research and demonstration garden. Map of grounds available at the farm's gatehouse. Public workshops, lectures, and events are scheduled. Plant sales and produce cart offered May-Oct. UCSC main entrance Carriage House parking area. Follow the signed 1/4-mile path to Farm Gatehouse.

UCSC Campus, Santa Cruz
831-459-3240, zzyx.ucsc.edu/casfs/

University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC)

The campus sits high on the hillside overlooking the Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. Each of its 10 colleges connects via a paved trail system that passes through various forests, riparian and coastal prairie landscapes. There's a 400-acre nature reserve with walks along its 1-mile trail. Many of the university's arts, lecture programs, and attractions welcome visitors. On campus parking is strictly regulated.

Campus main entrance: High and Bay Sts., Santa Cruz
Campus map of trail system and reserve links: maps.ucsc.edu/cdcommon.html

Wilder Ranch State Park

First a rancho supplying the Santa Cruz Mission, later a successful and innovative dairy farm, and for several generations home to the Wilder family. The restored Wilder home, out-buildings, and the park's interpretive center are host to scheduled living history events and trailhead site for guided and self-guided, walks. This 7,000-acre park has over 34-miles of marked hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.

Off Hwy. 1 just north of Santa Cruz
831-426-0505, www.santacruzstateparks.org

Wineries

The Santa Cruz Mountain's wine appellation boasts over 60 wineries, all producing vintages from grapes grown in the region. Santa Cruz mountian wines are boldly influenced by extremes of terrior found in the appellation which climbs from sea level to 3000 foot mountain peaks. It is also reflected in the responsible farming methods used by area vitners.

831-685-8463, www.scmwa.com

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Special Interests

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