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June 2, 1997
Summertime is a good time to explore UC Santa Cruz
With its long sunny days, the summer season is a good time of year to explore UC Santa Cruz and its off-campus facilities. Whether one wants to learn about exotic plants, astronomy, marine mammals, or simply take a stroll through the redwoods, UCSC offers the opportunity. Admission is free, unless otherwise noted.
The Arboretum
Visitors to the UCSC Arboretum can stroll through its 40 acres of gardens, learn about plants at a summer symposium, or enjoy a program just for children. A research and teaching facility, the Arboretum is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except on Christmas. ŇNorrieŐsÓ--a gift shop selling plants, cut flowers, wreaths, and books--is open Tuesday through Saturday from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The Jean and Bill Lane Horticultural Library, a nonlending library of horticultural and botanical books, is open Wednesday through Sunday from
1 to 4 p.m. The Arboretum is located on Empire Grade between the campusŐs main and west entrances. For information, call (408) 427-2998. For the gift shop, call (408) 423-4977.
Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
The Center for Agroecology manages two facilities: the 25-acre Farm near the main entrance of campus and the 4-acre Alan Chadwick Garden across McLaughlin Drive from Stevenson College. On the Farm's docent-led tours, visitors can learn about many aspects of organic gardening, including how to make and use compost, choose appropriate plant varieties, and select plants that are ornamental and attract beneficial insects. Tours of the Farm start at the gate at noon on Thursday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, except for the first Thursday and Sunday of the month, when docents lead tours of the Chadwick Garden at noon and 2 p.m., respectively. Tours are canceled in the event of rain. The Farm and the Chadwick Garden are open every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer.
Starting June 3 and continuing into the fall, the Center for Agroecology sells organically grown produce and fresh flowers each Tuesday and Friday from noon to 6 p.m. in front of the Barn Theater at the intersection of Bay and High Streets. The center also sponsors a number of classes and events, including a salad-garden workshop, poetry readings, and a harvest festival. For more information, call (408) 459-3240. To arrange special tours and class visits, call (408) 459-3248. The public may also purchase a weekly share of the Farm's vegetables and fruit through the Community Supported Agriculture program. For information, call (408) 459-3336.
Joseph M. Long Marine Laboratory
Visitors can view a blue-whale skeleton, walk through an aquarium, and touch living sea stars, urchins, and other underwater animals in special tanks at this working marine research laboratory. Trained docents answer questions and lead tours Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. year-round, except on holidays. Tours may include a visit to the laboratory's marine mammal research pools. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for senior citizens and students, and is free for children ages
16 and under. Groups of 10 or more must make reservations at least a month in advance. The laboratory is located at 100 Shaffer Road at the west end of Delaware Avenue in Santa Cruz. For more information or to schedule tours, call (408) 459-4308.
Lick Observatory
A working observatory, Lick is located atop Mount Hamilton, east of San Jose and about 60 miles from campus. Tours of the 36-inch refracting Lick Telescope start in the visitorsŐ center in the main building every half hour between 1 and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends. The visitorsŐ center is open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The visitorsŐ gallery, which houses the 120-inch Shane Telescope, is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily year-round, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Visitors should carry warm clothing and allow one hour to drive from San Jose. The observatory offers summertime viewing events. For more information, call (408) 274-5061.
Tours of the UC Santa Cruz campus
The Office of Admissions offers tours on most weekdays and selected Saturdays throughout the year. The two-hour tour program starts at the Cook House near the campusŐs main entrance at Bay and High Streets. Reservations are required; call (408) 459-4008.