Aptos Museum 7605 Old Dominion Ct., Aptos. (831) 688-1467.
A look at the history of Aptos through artifacts, photographs and exhibits. Open Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.
Davenport Jail Museum 2 Davenport Ave., Davenport. (831) 429-1964.
Built in 1917, the jail was only used twice before it’s closing in 1936. It is now home to a exhibition of north coast history. Call for an appointment.
Mission Santa Cruz 126 High St., Santa Cruz. (831) 426-5686.
Offers the visitor a deeper understanding of Santa Cruz’s Spanish and Native American history. Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, 10pm-2pm.
Museum of Art & History (MAH) 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. (831) 429-1964. www.santacruzmah.org
Features regional historical exhibits as well as modern art displays. Offers docent-led tours, lectures and films, as well as a Museum store. General admission $5. Tues-Sun, 11am-5pm; free admission first Fri of every month, 11am-6pm.
Rancho Del Oso Nature and History Center 3600 Hwy 1, Davenport. (831) 427-2288.
Hiking, biking, beach combing, horseback riding, wind surfing, nature oriented artwork and historical exhibits await at this former country estate in Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Sat-Sun, 12pm-4pm. Guided nature walks leave at 1pm on Sundays.
Santa Cruz City Museum of Natural History 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. (831) 420-6115. www.santacruzmuseums.org
Wildlife, geology and Native American displays as well as a tide pool tank, live bee hive, and climbable life-size whale sculpture. Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm.
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum at the Mark Abbott Lighthouse 701 West Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz. (831) 420-6289. www.santacruzsurfingmuseum.org
Documenting the past 100 years of local surfing history, this museum displays old photos, vintage surf boards, and a shark bitten board. Thurs-Mon, 12pm-4pm.
