Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Connecting people with nature and science to inspire stewardship of the natural world. Learn more and plan your visit at santacruzmuseum.org.
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Since 1905, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has displayed a unique collection of natural wonders to Santa Cruz residents and visitors. The Museum has made its home in the Seabright neighborhood since 1932, currently located in a historic Carnegie library. The Museum provides engaging exhibits, unique events, and dynamic educational programs fulfilling its mission, "Connecting people with

nature and science to inspire stewardship of the natural world." The Museum's life-size gray whale model, created in 1982, is a cherished landmark to local residents.

Visit us for First Friday September 4th and get FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY! This September we’re celebrating all things migr...
09/01/2026

Visit us for First Friday September 4th and get FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY! This September we’re celebrating all things migration! Each changing season brings different species to the Santa Cruz region as they search for food, breeding grounds, and safe shelter. Explore our exhibits and join us as we dive into the fascinating phenomena of migration.

🌊Partners: , Natural Bridges State Beach
🦆Activities: Share your migration story and add it to our community art wall
🪵Vendor: , woodworker
🍄Food:
🥂Drinks: Donation-based bar with wine, beer and non-alcoholic options

08/30/2026

Happy National Beach Day! There are so many extraordinary beaches in Santa Cruz, but did you know Panther Beach is extra extraordinary? Its dramatic cliffs are part of the Panther Beach Outcrop, the world’s largest known sedimentary injection deposit, formed around 9 million years ago! 🤯 This rare geologic formation tells a story about ancient underwater landslides, shifting sediments, and the forces that shaped our coastline. Learn more about this remarkable piece of Santa Cruz geology on our blog: https://loom.ly/bGt-x2M

Photo credit: Kenny Lazara

Meet the salmonids! This month's Member Meetup is in partnership with the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project where Mu...
08/29/2026

Meet the salmonids! This month's Member Meetup is in partnership with the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project where Museum members will get an exclusive hatchery tour at their Genetic Conservation Hatchery in Davenport on September 12th! Become a member today and receive an additional 3 months of membership for free, plus discounts on all our events and access to exclusive meetups for free! https://loom.ly/jBHzdMg

Catch us at the Verve Summer Market this Saturday August 29th, 9am-2pm! Grab your coffee and stroll Verve's popup marke...
08/26/2026

Catch us at the Verve Summer Market this Saturday August 29th, 9am-2pm! Grab your coffee and stroll Verve's popup market with local vendors, ceramics, plants, food, vintage items, and jewelry! Don't miss out on the last market of this summer series!

Join the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project on September 10th for an overview of salmonids, their lifecycle, ecology,...
08/25/2026

Join the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project on September 10th for an overview of salmonids, their lifecycle, ecology, and the natural and human-caused threats they face. Learn more about the history of MBSTP, their various programs, and how they contribute to salmonid conservation in the Monterey Bay. This lecture will explore the differences between hatchery models, highlighting how their work focuses on conservation, genetic diversity, disease mitigation, ecosystem health and optimizing wild survival. Register today! https://loom.ly/jF-9Qpo

Seaweed Summer may be drifting away, but our events are here to stay! We have a full lineup of events to celebrate the m...
08/24/2026

Seaweed Summer may be drifting away, but our events are here to stay! We have a full lineup of events to celebrate the migratory species that make Santa Cruz so special. From Museum free admission on First Friday to our Member Meet up hatchery tour, and our Sip and Draw night, there is something for everyone! Links in bio!

08/21/2026

On August 21, 1905, the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History opened its doors with an incredible array of wonders, dried sea stars and crustaceans, Indigenous baskets and mortars, minerals, agates, gems, petrified wood, coral, bird nests and eggs, turtle and tortoise carapaces, and more than two hundred local species of shells. In her opening remarks, Laura Hecox shared that she wasn’t losing anything by gifting her collection to the community — she was “taking everyone else into partnership with her in the enjoyment of it.” Over 120 years later, we’re still continuing her vision and taking everyone into partnership with us for our Bright Future! Take a look through time on our About Us page https://loom.ly/WkNc3MA

08/18/2026

Did you know the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit? Today’s the perfect day to show some love for your favorite local museum. Whether you sign up for a Naturalist Night, join a workshop, donate, volunteer, or become a member, every action helps us keep connecting our community with nature, science, and coastal curiosity.

Address

1305 E. Cliff Drive
Santa Cruz, CA
95062

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+18314206115

Website

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