Adult and Senior Programs and Activities
The Santa Cruz County Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services offers year-round programs and activities for adults and seniors. There are a variety of rich and exciting activities to choose from, including: Mall Walk Program, Senior Stretching, Osteoporosis Prevention Exercise Class, Free Blood Pressure Check, Volunteer Opportunities and a wide variety of Trips for older adults and seniors. Just click on one of the programs above for more information.
Arthritis Classes on land and in the water. Click here to learn more!
Click here to print the calendar of events.
Mall Walk Program
The Mall Walk Program is offered year-round Monday through Friday, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. You will find the Mall Walkers' desk located at the food court in the Capitola Mall. The desk is hosted by volunteers who can enroll you in the program, answer your questions, introduce you to other walkers and record the distance you have walked. There is annual fee of
$10.00 to participate in the program. You don't need to register ahead of time, just show up and register at the front desk.
Registration #6971
Senior Stretch Class
Senior Stretch Class is held at the Capitola Mall at the entrance to the food court. The class is held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 to 9:10 a.m. The instructors are senior volunteers. This class is included in the
$10.00 annual Mall Walking fee. Just show up and sign-in for the class.
Osteoporosis Prevention Exercise Class
This class is held at the Simpkins Family Center on Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. If you are interested in participating in this class you are welcome to attend the class and register with the instructor. Please wear comfortable clothing and supportive shoes.
Free Blood Pressure Check
A registered nurse offers blood pressure checks at the Capitola Mall in the food court area from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering in the Adult / Senior Programs please conduct Recreation Supervisor, Linda Sullivan at (831) 454-7967 or via email at prc093@scparks.com.
Volunteer opportunities include the following jobs: Mall Walk desk coverage and Mall Walk program assistance, Senior Stretch instructors, and Senior Health Fair assistance, among others.
Chardonnay II Cruise Drawing
The 11th Annual Coast Weeks Celebration with a 2-hour cruise on
September 9, 2010, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, aboard the beautiful 70'
sloop Chardonnay II. This free event is made possible by the generosity
of the Chardonnay Sailing Charters. This trip is open ONLY
to seniors age 55+, who have NOT participated before; reservations
will not be accepted from those who have previously attended.
To make your reservation, please mail-in or walk-in your name, address,
and telephone number by 5:00 PM on August 27, 2010 to Linda Sullivan,
County Parks & Recreation, 979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA
95062. Please PRINT all information! Only one
entry per person. A drawing will be held on August 30th to
choose the lucky winners for this year's cruise. A wait list will
also be created. Winners will be notified via mail.
Extended Trips
The Parks Department, in partnership with Collette Vacations, is happy to offer
extended trips to a variety of destinations outside of California.
For information please call Linda Sullivan at 454-7967 (do not call
the Registration desk). Click
here for a list of extended trips.
Day Trips
The Parks Department offers a wide variety of trips for older adults and seniors. We utilize luxury motor coaches (with a restroom onboard) for all trips. Included in the registration fee for each trip is bus transportation, tour guide, and entry fees; lunch is included only on the Golden Gate Fields trip.
To register call 454-7941, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
In an effort to continue subsidizing trip fees for seniors, we instituted a new fee structure in April 2010. By restructuring fees we hope to prolong the life of Margaret Nielson's thoughtful and generous gift, and to ensure that it continues to benefit the senior population for which it was intended. Resident/Non-Resident Senior is age 60+. Resident/Non-Resident Adult is age 59 or under.
September 30 , 2010 -
SF Giants Game
See the San Francisco Giants play the Arizona Diamondbacks.
If you haven't had the opportunity to enjoy AT&T Park, don't miss
this chance! If you have, you know what you can look forward to;
there's not a bad seat in the house! Bring a friend or grandchild
with you to enjoy this special day in the city. Pack a lunch or
grab a bit after we arrive at the park. Fee includes
transportation and entrance to the game. Registration
#7755
October 14 , 2010 -
de Young Museum
The deYoung Museum is featuring 120 of the Musee d'Orsay's most fabulous
late Impressionist paintings, including those by Monet and Renoir,
followed by the more individualistic styles of the early modern masters
including Cezanne, Gauguin, Lautrec and VanGogh, and the Nabis painters
Bonnard and Vuillard. The exhibition will also provide a unique
look at the Orsay's spectacular collection of Pointillist painters
including work by Seurat and Signac. Enjoy the exhibit and have
lunch at the museum cafe or bring your own lunch and eat in Golden Gate
Park. Registration
#7757
November 21 , 2010 -
Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge and lunch at "Nick's"
The day begins at Rockaway Beach for lunch at "Nick's," which
boasts extraordinary views of the Pacific Ocean and an extensive menu
that always includes free seafood. After lunch, it's off to the
Sprindrift Theater, where Ebenezer Scrooge is back to his old ways,
suing Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present &
Future for a litany of crimes, including breaking and entering,
kidnapping, and infliction of emotional stress. Registration
#7773
December 9 , 2010 -
San Francisco Shopping Excursion
Register now for an amazing shopping experience in downtown San
Francisco. The bus will drop us off in the heart of Union Square,
where you will be able to choose from a variety of stores and
restaurants. If you like, you may choose to stay in one location
and enjoy shopping at the Westfield San Francisco Centre. The
Centre is home to the second largest Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's in the
country as well as over 170 specialty stores and exclusive boutiques for
an awe-inspiring blend of commerce, couture, cuisine and culture. Registration
#7774