Community Calendar

See More HQ

The first permanent exhibit at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in 15 years, and the first step towards the Center’s complete renovation. Opening June 13, 2026.

See More HQ is the new, bilingual, interactive control-room for real-time marine and coastal science and solutions in Santa Cruz County.

Unlock new discoveries with Science Research Reels, coastal Audio Booth, Kelp Forest dive and much more.

See More HQ

The first permanent exhibit at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in 15 years, and the first step towards the Center’s complete renovation. Opening June 13, 2026.

See More HQ is the new, bilingual, interactive control-room for real-time marine and coastal science and solutions in Santa Cruz County.

Unlock new discoveries with Science Research Reels, coastal Audio Booth, Kelp Forest dive and much more.

See More HQ

The first permanent exhibit at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in 15 years, and the first step towards the Center’s complete renovation. Opening June 13, 2026.

See More HQ is the new, bilingual, interactive control-room for real-time marine and coastal science and solutions in Santa Cruz County.

Unlock new discoveries with Science Research Reels, coastal Audio Booth, Kelp Forest dive and much more.

See More HQ

The first permanent exhibit at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in 15 years, and the first step towards the Center’s complete renovation. Opening June 13, 2026.

See More HQ is the new, bilingual, interactive control-room for real-time marine and coastal science and solutions in Santa Cruz County.

Unlock new discoveries with Science Research Reels, coastal Audio Booth, Kelp Forest dive and much more.

First Saturday Tours are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to the Arboretum or to deepen your understanding of the Arboretum's plant collections. Each tour is a little different depending on the time of year, the interests of the tour guide and the people who join in. You might learn more about the birds and mammals that make this land their home or about the amazing physical adaptations that plants have evolved to better deal with extreme weather and climate conditions.

Tours given on the 1st Saturday of each month - at 11am

Tour is FREE with paid admission!

Meet your tour guide(s) at the entrance to the Visitor Parking lot. Walks will be about one hour.

Tours cancelled if the weather is unsuitable.

Clean water doesn’t happen by accident. It’s protected — every day.

Monterey Waterkeeper works across the Central Coast to prevent pollution, restore waterways, and ensure all communities have access to safe, affordable drinking water.

Join us on October 3 for the Autumn Afternoon Garden Party for Clean Water — a gathering rooted in purpose, community, and stewardship.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

More details coming soon:
https://www.montereywaterkeeper.org/event/autumn-afternoon-garden-party/

#MontereyWaterkeeper #CleanWater #CentralCoast #EnvironmentalStewardship #ProtectOurWaters

The first Tuesday of each month, the Arboretum is open without charge to visitors.

As you enjoy your visit don't forget to stop by our wonderful gift shop and plant nursery

NOTE: Due to limited parking at the Arboretum & the popularity of Community Day, we greatly encourage visitors to carpool, bike, walk or use public transportation as much as possible!

Our Beginning Birding field trips are held on the second Sunday of each month. They begin at 9:00 AM at the west side of the Social Hall (main lodge, located HERE). You may park anywhere on the Conference Grounds (no need for a permit) and there are two handicapped parking spots at the Social Hall meeting location. This trip will introduce participants to the birds of Asilomar, tips and tricks to identify them, and guidance on how to locate and observe birds no matter where you are! We'll travel along an even, paved fully accessible pathways with places to stop and sit as well. The field trip will end a little before noon, back at the Social Hall. RSVP required!

Do you love gardens and gardening? The UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden has a wonderful community of staff, students, and volunteers ready to welcome you. Opportunities include staffing our gift shop and retail nursery and working to care for our gardens and greenhouses.

To learn more, join us at one of our monthly information sessions that lasts 45 minutes and includes an easy walk through the gardens to visit a few of our volunteer groups at work.

To attend a session, please fill out our simple volunteer interest form at the bottom of our volunteer webpage found here: https://arboretum.ucsc.edu/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/

If you would like to attend but need a different day and/or have mobility issues, please let us know in the “Notes” section of the Interest Form.

Thank You!

We offer special sunrise hours for our members and volunteers on the third Saturday of each month, as weather permits. Opening time is 7 a.m. Please bring your membership card for check-in at the front gate.

Early mornings are a wonderful time in our gardens, ideal for photography, birding, and quiet enjoyment of nature. If you would like to join us, become a member today!