Took our 2 grandsons and went with a friend and her son so much fun!!…read more The machines do not cheat you!!They keep you excited and then you win something and you can trade it up for a bigger item. **Most of all, I must let everyone know that the boy working at the time we visited was named " Luis" **He was amazing!! kept us entertained, informed us of how to play!!!. People who work at places like this are very important!! Time is valuable when your with loved ones and friends. **When someone to makes your experience amazing they deserve a "Big Bright Gold Star" To the Owner, you have a great employee his name is ...Luis!!

Wow, a claw machine arcade that doesn't seem rigged! No early releasing of the claws, these…read moremachines actually reward you if you line it up right! The owner has a very generous policy of letting you trade items from the same machine. So if you win one that is easy to get but wanted one that was stuck in the corner, you can swap them out! Their selection is unique and fun. We won 6 stuffies with $30. Our purchase also came with one tabletop toy, and a spin on the prize wheel. Their plant stuffies are unique and cute and featured rare varieties! This place is the best!

What an awesome idea ... transforming an old retail space into an entire magical kingdom full of…read moresuch interesting characters! I definitely recommend checking this place out; the tour was fantastic and the puppetry is stunning. Such a fun new addition to Santa Cruz county!

Cute theater highlighting local actors and writers…read more This is the second time I've enjoyed local theater in Santa Cruz. This particular show had 8 ten minute (ish) plays. It's fun to see the creative process at work. Amateur actors mixed in with veterans of the stage are all here. Please note the theater is located in one medium sized building just beyond some businesses and an office or two. I recommend you come and see some of the shows. Support local theater!

Engaging live theatre. The annual 8 Tens at Eight has everything a theatre goer would want…read more.. drama, humor, pathos. It always sells out.

Neptune Games is a family entertainment destination featuring food, a fun mini-golf course, classic…read morevideo games, pool tables, air hockey, foosball, and whimsical funhouse mirrors. Set inside a beautiful historic building packed with rich history and captivating stories, it's the perfect place for memorable outings and nonstop fun. Private events held in the mini golf area and upstairs. Washrooms available upstairs.

This is the best mini-golf course I've ever been to! The pirate theme makes it feel like a fun…read moreadventure from start to finish. It wasn't crowded when we visited on a Sunday morning. If you're looking for something fun to do, it's a great way to spend a couple of hours. We went there with guests from Japan and it was such a unique cultural experience for them! We especially loved the dark rooms with the colorful lights. They added a lot to the atmosphere. Although it was a bit pricey, it was definitely worth it!

You need a whaling of a good time... This is the place to go…read more Pro tip: it's past past the butterflies Parking is free in weekends but there are plenty of park to pay machines around Things to touch, yes! Walking paths, yes! Gift shop, yes! Super friendly staff, yes! Support science! Highly recommend!

Keep it Reel Marine…read moreScience Center is run by the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) and is located right on campus. They focus on the education of ocean research and the conservation of our oceans. The Good: * Good place to bring young kids as it's not very large, and you can see the whole thing in way less than two hours. * One-mile loop trail along the UCSC campus if you want to add a little hike to your visit. * Guided tours available, as well as self-guided. * Hands-on experiences--they currently even have a shark in the touch tank! * Picnic areas outside with an ocean view. * The whale skeleton outside is pretty "bitchin'." * EV charging available. * Bike rack. * Buy tickets online or at the door. * Very affordable at $12/adult and $9/student. The Meh: * Hours and days change depending on the season. The Ugly: * Paid parking during the week, but free on weekends. Conclusion: Great little museum located right on the coast, but don't expect it to be an all-day affair.

I absolutely think this Santuary Exploration exhibit by Monterey is amazing, fun and educational…read more Here's a secret......it is totally FREE!!!!! If your in Santa Cruz area and need a cool off and a break for the young kids take them here. Lots to see, touch and explore. Even a coloring area where they display your picture. You can use a under water diving machine. You can watch a movie on the ocean. So much more. Time to explore!!

A fun place to visit if you have some time before hitting the Boardwalk or pier! Located right…read moreacross the street from the pier, know that it is FREE to visit! This is not affiliated with the Monterey Bay Aquarium but it is tied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). The docents/volunteers here are friendly and engaging and it is fun to learn about the oceans surrounding Santa Cruz. Great for kids, it's a quick 30 minute visit kind of place to pop in and learn something new!

This is a great festival for art and wine. I purchased the full combo package at $40 that included…read morea wine glass and 25 tokens. The tastings varied between 3 to 5 tokens per 2-3 ounce pour. It lasted the three hours that I attended this event. I prefer to attend this event on Sunday, better deals and lesser crowds. Come prepared to sample great wines and bring cash to pay for the cool art as some vendors will offer you discounts by paying cash.

Very nice first experience in beautiful and sunny Capitola. I was so happy to see people and see…read moretons of SUN! We arrived passed 4 pm, so no problem finding parking in that huge parking lot where you pay per hour (I found 50 cents per hour to be super cheap!). We walked over the area with wine tasting and art selling and just loved the vibe, mostly because I am social and need to see lots of people from time to time (although at moments felt overwhelmed). From the parking lot area to the event we walked I would say less than 10 minutes. It was very pleasant. We did not care about the wine tasting part (we don't want to pretend we are connisseurs when we are not) but I liked to observe and admire various artists, being an artist on the side myself. I don't understand the no photo policy of some booths. Honestly in this day and time where your portfolio is on Instagram, who cares if someone takes picture of your art? It is scared of being copied? I dont get it, you cannot control that from happening plus is a turn off (at least for me). That said, there was a lot of great arts and crafts there and loved also to see the pretty ladies with sundresses, cute hats and glass of wine in hand strolling towards the beach. There was a concert going on by the water, creating an amazing summer cohesive atmosphere of fun and festive mood. I will go back next year.

This is actually "Daughters & Sons of the Beach" ukulele club (basically a gathering of locals who…read morelove the nimble sounds of this stringed instrument). We attended the Ukele Jam, which according to their website, occurs every Saturday 10am-12noon behind Crow's Nest, but more accurately behind Java Junction which is perfect for enjoying the entertainment while sipping on your favorite beverages. Seating was easy to find in the back patio of the cafe right in front of the music taking place on the sand. This is a cute and casual event, where the musicians seem to all be having fun. And they don't just play ukuleles, there were other instruments being played as well including the kazoo, upright bass, mandolin, keyboard, bongo, and guitar. This past weekend, they performed songs including Three Little Birds, Twist and Shout, and Have You Ever Seen the Rain. They post their upcoming set list online early in the week, so you can actually see this in advance. This is great free entertainment on the beach if you like live music and are looking for a positive carefree environment to spend time with loved ones.