Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

🌱In November, our volunteers planted nearly 100 new perennial wildflowers into our Coastal Prairie Garden. Two special additions – Sidalcea malviflora and the threatened Lotus formosissimus – were grown by the Santa Cruz chapter of CNPS. #NativePlants #SantaCruzGarden

Visit our Holiday Sale & Art Market Saturday 11 am - 4 pm! 🎁✨ Shop 20+ local artists, snag storewide discounts, and enjoy free cider, cookies, and gift wrapping. PLUS enjoy free admission! It's the one-stop festive shopping event you don't want to miss.

How about this Giving Tuesday, give a member of your community (or yourself) a gateway to endless learning! Memberships to the Museum begin at just $20 for Students/Seniors! 🕺🏻 $40 Individual 👯‍♂️ $40 Dual Senior 🤰🏻$65 Family Learn More: santacruzmuseum.org/join/

The Museum will be closed today and tomorrow, BUT we'll be open to visitors over the weekend! Bring by your families and out-of-town guests to connect with local natural history.

Art, prints, plants, and tide pools… December at the Museum has it all. Come see, make, and explore! 🌊🎨 🌱 Follow the link in bio to sign up. #SantaCruzEvents #SupportLocalArtists

A huge thank you to Jane @inkdwell for sharing her incredible talent and passion with us during Treasured Trees! 🌲 We’re so grateful for her artistry and generosity, and for everyone who celebrated the history of our coast redwoods with us this summer with @SempervirensFund.

Museum gift cards make the perfect gift, every time! Give the gift of natural history this season, redeemable online or in-person. Visit the Museum front desk or grab a digital card today: loom.ly/LiHau8Q

The fruiting body of fungus can take on many shapes and forms, including crust fungi or patch fungi as seen here with this purple fuzz (Punctularia atropurpurascens). What fungi have you spotted recently? 📍Fall Creek

Dec 6: Shop local, sip cider, and celebrate nature! Our Holiday Sale & Art Market returns with 20+ local artists, discounts, cookies, and cheer. 🌲✨ Learn more: loom.ly/dwdud5E

November’s full moon is a supermoon! 🌕✨ When the moon reaches “perigee” (its closest point to Earth), it appears up to 30% brighter and 14% larger than usual. Where’s your favorite spot to moongaze in Santa Cruz County? 🌙

This summer, we partnered with Sempervirens Fund to debut 'Treasured Trees', an immersive exhibit exploring the history, ecology, and artistry of our region’s redwoods. 🌲 Join us as we celebrate the last month of the exhibit with these events: santacruzmuseum.org/events

Are you an Indigenous leader or a public educator committed to fostering partnerships and enriching education? Join us for a free transformative one-day workshop designed to cultivate understanding, share best practices, and forge lasting alliances: loom.ly/J7Oy4TU

Celebrate our 'Treasured Trees' exhibit before it’s gone! 🌲 Join us for First Friday on November 7: Enjoy free admission all day starting at 11 am, then stick around for an after-hours party from 5–8 pm! 👉 Learn more: loom.ly/3k3ZqUw

Thank you to everyone who came out for this year’s 'Museum of the Macabre: Creatures of the Night' party! 📸 Photos from the event are now live on our website: santacruzmuseum.org/macabre2025-ph…

Tonight! Join us for a howling good time at this year’s Museum of the Macabre: Creatures of the Night! Tickets available at the door - learn more: loom.ly/wwSJn5s

The Museum is closed today as we descend into the depths for MACABRE! 🕯️ Snag your tickets before midnight tonight to save! Tickets go up to $35 at the door. Join us Saturday at 6 PM for a night of monsters, mysteries, and mayhem! 🎟️ Tickets: loom.ly/wwSJn5s

Are you interested in a career in nature education? 🌿 Join our team as an Education Associate and help inspire curiosity in the next generation through hands-on science and outdoor exploration. Apply: santacruzmuseum.org/careers/

The cryptids are stirring… and somebody’s watching you. 👀 Dance with monsters, sip potions, and uncover the legends behind your favorite creatures at Museum of the Macabre! 🎃🦇 Tickets on sale now! santacruzmuseum.org/event/macabre2…

Come to our party… OR ELSE! 👻 Decorations for this year’s Museum of the Macabre 21+ Halloween Party are rolling out, and we can’t wait to celebrate the natural history behind cryptids and creatures. 🎟️ Get yours before they vanish: santacruzmuseum.org/event/macabre2…

Forever... Begins... NOW! Join us this Saturday (10/25) for the Museum's annual Halloween Party! Tickets on sale now: santacruzmuseum.org/event/macabre2…