Must See! Museums

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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

Aptos History Museum

The area's newest museum offers displays that highlight the town's historic milestones. Its Ohlone Indian collection is one of the region's largest. Artifacts, memorabilia, and photographic exhibits cover the area's commercial interests in the 1870s including its logging and apple orchard history, and the impact of Santa Cruz Railroad.

Aptos History Museum and Aptos Chamber of Commerce
7605-A Old Dominion Ct., Aptos
831-688-1467, www.aptoschamber.com

Big Foot Discovery Museum

Features local history, lore, & documented sightings of Big Foot, ABSMs, & UFOs. It has a research library, memorabilia, and art. Outdoor exhibits include a sculpture garden, life size Big Foot diorama, & video theater featuring Big Foot themed movies. Open daily, June-Aug., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Rest of year Wed.-Fri., 1-6 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.

5497 Hwy. 9, Felton
831-335-4478, www.bigfootdiscoveryproject.com

Canepa Auto Museum

Bruce Canepa's private collection of more than 25 high-end custom sports, Indy, Formula 1, NASCAR, stock, and other classic race cars. Open Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

4900 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley
831-430-9940, www.canepa.com

Capitola Village

This charming village is the oldest planned vacation community on the Pacific Coast, and has welcomed visitors since the 1870s. Displays at the Capitola History Museum have photos and memorabilia from its early days and offers a self-guided map to historic sites. The village has many art galleries, specialty shops, restaurants and clubs. There are events, Summer Beach Twilight Concerts, and is home to the annual Begonia and Art & Wine festivals.

Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce 716-G Capitola Ave., Capitola.
831-475-6522, www.capitolasoquelchamber.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

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.

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

Harley Davidson Museum

Highlights of the museum include vintage motorcycles, memorabilia, & photos on display. Narratives describe cultural influences of the motorcycle & Harley Davidson's branding. Open Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

1148 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
831-421-9600, www.santacruzharley.com

Henry Cowell Rewoods State Park Visitor and Nature Center

Displays feature the unique aspects of the park's redwood, riparian, sandhill and grasslands habitats. Interactive displays include a century time-line on how the forest was saved from logger's clear-cutting practices, and there are tactile identification activities. Open Summer Tue.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Winter, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There are guided walks and nature store. State Park parking fees apply.

101 North Big Trees Park Road (off of Highway. 9), Felton
831-335-7077, www.mountainparks.org

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