1. VISIT THE MOUNTAIN CHARLIE HISTORIC MARKERS

In 1854, local legend Charles Henry “Mountain Charley” McKiernan was attacked by a grizzly bear. He survived a four-inch bite to the skull and was (temporarily) patched with a silver plate. Amazingly, Mountain Charley lived for 38 years after the plate’s removal. A 260-foot sequoia he aspired to chop down, called “King of the Forest,” still stands near the road he built nearby.

Mountain Charley’s infamous mauling took place near the intersection of Pierce Road and Mountain Charlie Road, where the Historical Marker Database (hmdb.org) lists a commemorative plaque. It is accessible by car and a short walk.

• • FOR MORE INFO:
  • Glenwood Dr & Pierce Rd, near Scotts Valley)
  • www.mountaincharlie1850.org

2. HIKE PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK’S LOWER BEAR GULCH CAVE

An easy-to-moderate, two-mile (roundtrip) trail to a reservoir runs through Bear Gulch Cave, which is part of Pinnacles National Park’s talus cave system. Per the National Park Service, these talus caves were formed when boulders crashed down from cliffs overhead, partially filling the canyons. Local lore says some of the caves were hideouts for bandido Tiburcio Vasquez.

Be sure to bring your flashlight to watch for bandits—and bats! The cave’s open status depends on the seasonal roosting behavior of its large colony of Townsend’s big-eared bats—a protected species.

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit

3. WATCH A WESTERN MIDGET CAR RACE AT THE OCEAN SPEEDWAY/WATSONVILLE FAIRGROUNDS

A midget car is a tiny four-cylinder engine buggy that boasts around 300 horsepower, a roll cage, and a prayer. Western Midget Racing (WMR) is a homegrown version of the midget car genre and IRL version of Mario Kart. Princess Peach may not be racing, but it’s still pretty cool. The 2024 WMR circuit’s local race event will light up the dirt track at Interlaken on March 29, 2024. Bring ear protection to protect kids from noise-induced hearing loss, especially if you become a regular.

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • OceanSpeedway.com

4.  VISIT THE “GHOST TOWN” SITE OF ECCLES

Hundreds of ghost communities and urban exploration spots haunt California, where mining and oil booms and busts have occurred since gold rush times.  Eccles was a tiny, late-19th-century town, and its station was a flag stop—i.e., a place the train stopped only upon request—along the South Pacific Coast Railway. It included a general store, post office, and inn. Eccles died out after Highway 17 was built. It’s now a “barren” type of ghost town, where just a field remains. The only extant structure is a wall that may have supported the freight platform. However, the Roaring Camp & Big Trees Railroads tourist line’s end-of-tracks are found just south of the Eccles station clearing

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • SantaCruzTrains.com

5. GO THRIFTING AT THE GOODWILL OUTLET  IN SALINAS

This is no ordinary thrift store experience! Employees sporadically roll out giant bins of clothing and housewares straight from the donation bins. At our most recent visit, none of the merchandise seemed to have been extensively presorted or washed. Thus, gloves are a must.

Line up with the crowds behind the yellow line, dig through the containers, and fill your cart. At $2.99/lb, kids’ play clothing is a steal—if you’re willing to deal with a little bit of wear and tear.

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • 1566 Moffett Street, Salinas

• • (831) 423-8611

6.  KAYAK THE SLOUGH

Elkhorn Slough’s calm waters are ideal for beginner kayakers. Kids aged five and up should ride in the most stable boat option—the “double sit on top” kayak. $85 gets you a four-hour slot. All equipment is included, including life jackets. Perhaps most crucially, you can bring snacks aboard the boats.

Elementary-aged kids must sit in a kayak with an adult, as the minimum age for solo kayaking is 15. Bring sun protection and water to drink.

• • FOR MORE INFO:
  • kayakconnection.com/elkorn-slough/kayak-rentals

7.  BIKE THE NEW PUMP TRACK AT GLORIA JEAN TATE PARK

In May 2023, the ribbon was cut on a brand-new, 30,000-square-foot, paved track for bikes, skateboards, and scooters. Specialty developers—whose work includes the world’s oldest skate park—designed the space. The track at Gloria Jean Tate Park also includes 20-foot and 40-foot walls. In addition to the main loop, there is a small beginner loop for grommets.

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • santacruztrails.org/projects/gloria-jean-tate-park-pump-track

8.  GO ON A RAILBIKE OR HANDCAR TOUR (MARINA)

A handcar is a vehicle that rides along railroad tracks and is hand- and foot-propelled by the occupants. Railbikes, however, use pedals. Some of these locally built steel vehicles are powered by brute strength; others are e-assisted.

Take the pedal-assisted, two-person cars with kids aged 5 and older. The longer, 1 hour, 40 minute long excursions on the railbikes are for kids aged 10+. Both tours are popular, and advance ticket purchase is needed.

All passengers must wear closed-toed shoes.

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • handcar.com

9. TAKE A PUPPETRY WORKSHOP

Have you ever walked by The Puppetry Institute? The Institute offers classes, online and in-person, for folks of all ages and levels of artistry. You can make sock puppets, paper ones, and those that are muppet-esque. Other class choices include shadow puppets, dragons, egg creatures, specialty projects for teachers and other professionals, drawing and painting classes, digital arts, and doll and creature design.

Buy a ticket to a local performance (also held in Capitola Mall) or just support local artists by donating to help fund an installation. These aren’t your average puppet shows, though; viewers can participate in installations by engaging with the puppets through touch and movement.

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • www.thepuppetryinstitute.org/

10.  GO YURT CAMPING IN MT. MADONNA COUNTY PARK

For the uninitiated, yurts are tent-like, canvas structures with solid doors, wooden floors, and furniture. The glamp-y novelty alone is enough to keep kids intrigued, but there’s also a 0.2-mile “hike” around the park at Mt. Madonna, where you can climb on remnants of a cattle rancher’s century-old summer home. Talk about the park’s significance as ancestral homelands, which were taken from the Popeloutchom (Amah Mutsun) and Ohlone people.

The price is $66/night for a 16-foot diameter yurt that sleeps six6. Regular tent sites are $35/night, plus a small fee. Each yurt has a fire ring, bunk beds, at least one futon, and community bathroom access.

Campsites for yurts are very limited. Reserve them online, six months ahead of your planned date(s).

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • 7850 Pole Line Road, Watsonville

• • parks.sccgov.org/plan-your-visit/activities/camping/yurts-camping

11.  YOU-PICK DAHLIAS AT BEELINE BLOOMS DAHLIA FARM

In 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex Fires burned several of this farm’s key structures, about half of their beehives, and a small orchard of 100+ trees. The historic schoolhouse nearby was destroyed, but miraculously, the farm’s main house survived the blaze. The family made the best of the disaster, starting anew. This time, they took advantage of the full sun exposure and ash-enriched soil to found a gorgeous dahlia farm.

You-Picks occur throughout the summer; check the farm’s Instagram, @Beeline_Blooms, or the Beeline Blooms Facebook page for upcoming events.

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • 220 Stephens Lane, Ben Lomond

• • (831) 252-1807

12. PLAY DISC GOLF AT UCSC

The UDisc app helps you find discing courses, which are found all over the US. Local beginners should start at UC Santa Cruz’s course and aspire to play the expert one at DeLaveaga one day (some practice required!). Throwing the disc around takes more skill than you’’d think, even at UCSC’s nine, wide-open holes.

• • FOR MORE INFO:

• • udisc.com/courses/u-c-santa-cruz-vV0g

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Lindy Vogel is a Santa Cruz-based humorist, mother of six, and head editor of Sweary Mommy.  She is currently writing a book on parenting with bipolar I.