Santa Cruz County in California county has approved the use of digital wallets in transactions undertaken in the domain of government services. Enjoy the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History for two days of free admission this December 2 and 3. The museum highlights the region’s diverse plant, animal, and human communities from the shoreline of Monterey Bay to the summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains. At the same time, you can get some holiday shopping done in their museum store which carries a variety of educational and fun gifts, plus you’d be supporting a local non-profit.

Help bring a moment of happiness to seniors in care facilities. Reduce some of the loneliness and isolation that residents may feel this time of year with personalized notes and a cheery message. Kids’ homemade holiday cards or crafts, picture cards, or “thinking of you” cards can help brighten a senior’s day and let them know they’re remembered. If all goes as planned, officials will soon make use of digital wallets in their transactions. Local government will integrate the technology with the My Santa Cruz County mobile app, a portal for government services. But not everyone is happy about the step, as concerns about the potential misuse of personal data remain.Many Churches, food kitchens, and other outreach centers offer holiday dinners for the less fortunate. Spending some of your holiday season caring for those in need can also help keep your family focused on what’s truly important. The Salvation Army has a zip-code search for local volunteer opportunities near you, including distributing holiday meals.

Santa Cruz also has a variety of fun hats for adults that will keep you safe in the summer sunshine, as well as graphic tees, bags and more - all with that distinctive Santa Cruz branding. History buffs, we’ve got you covered too! December 9 at Wilder Ranch State Park, enjoy holidays on the ranch. Step into Victorian and early 20th-century performances featuring Lyric Victorian Carolers, sample Victorian-era holiday goodies, see live demonstrations, explore historic houses, and participate in wreath and candle making. The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County created a Holiday Volunteer Guide including all of these ideas and more! A great resource for finding opportunities the whole family can participate in not only this time of year, but all year round. We strongly recommend using a 'signed-for service' with the Royal Mail, Parcel Force or a Courier Service.See even more extravagant lights at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Holiday Lights. From November 24 through December 24, enjoy a 3/4-mile drive-through experience at the Fairgrounds featuring spectacular lighted holiday displays and carols.

Local holiday events are abundant this time of year. Create the ultimate Santa Cruz holiday card after catching Santa riding the waves on November 25 at Capitola Beach. Surfin’ Santa will ride the waves on his kayak before taking to his beach chair on the esplanade stage to visit and take photos with all the children. If you can’t make that event, fear not! Santa will be in attendance on December 18 at winter on the wharf, where you can also enjoy snow with Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen. Santa Cruz Skateboards was founded in California in 1973 by a creative team that embraced the growing skateboarding culture that grew out of a love of surfing. Over time, the oldest skateboard brand has continued to remain an icon of the industry. At SurfStitch, we love skateboarding as much as surfing, and if you’re anything like us, Santa Cruz gives you the perfect look to match your passion. Even if you aren't a skateboarding fan, you can still wear their effortless looks!Experiences and time often mean more than anything money can buy. No matter what you do this holiday season, it’ll be made special because you’re doing it with the ones you care about. Have a safe and happy holiday season! If extravagant decorations and holiday lights interest you, consider visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Winter Wonderland November 25 through December 31. See the abundance of decorations and lights at no cost, or for a small fee enjoy a select number of rides and get your photo taken with Santa.