Easter is almost here, and this year there are plenty of festive events throughout Santa Cruz County.
From Easter brunches to Easter Egg Hunts (one with 20,000 eggs!), to photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, there is something for everyone.
Here is a full list of the top Easter events in and around Santa Cruz this year.
Santa Cruz Easter Brunch Restaurants
Chaminade Resort & Spa – Chaminade’s Easter Sunday brunch Menu will include a variety of signature brunch and buffet specials, along with the Children’s menu just for your little ones. Choose from special entrees or visit the omelet, seafood or carving stations.
The fun doesn’t end at brunch. Families will enjoy special Easter activities, including Easter egg hunts throughout the first half of the day. More on the Easter egg hunts below.
9 am – 3 pm
Call 831-475-5600 for reservations or book online
Chaminade Easter Brunch Menu
*also includes Easter egg hunt (see below in “Easter Egg Hunts” section)
Johnny’s Harborside – Enjoy Easter brunch with a view of the harbor at Johnny’s Harborside Restaurant & Bar. Brunch specials include Smoked Salmon Benedict and Lobster Omelet.
Call 831-479-3430 for reservations
Johnny’s Harborside Easter Brunch Menu
Michael’s on Main – Michael’s on Main will have a special Easter Brunch menu. Menu items include Classic Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Burritos, Steak and Eggs, Pistachio Crusted Salmon and Fresh Blackened Ahi.
Reserve a Table
Michael’s on Main Easter Brunch Menu
Sanderlings Restaurant – Sanderlings, at the Seascape Beach Resort, will have a special menu for brunch on Easter Sunday. They have an extensive brunch menu with a wide range of options.
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Call (831) 662-7120 for reservations
Sanderlings Easter Brunch Menu
Hollins House Restaurant at Pasatiempo Golf Club – Enjoy an Easter brunch with sweeping views of the bay at Hollins House. Diners can choose from omelet, french toast, yogurt stations, and much more.
Seatings at 10:00 am & 1:00 PM
Call 831-459-9177 for reservations
Hollins House Restaurant Easter Brunch Menu
Santa Cruz Easter Egg Hunts
Easter on the Farm – Six egg hunts are scheduled throughout this fun-for-all-ages event which also includes crafts, games, hay rides, and a special guest Bunny!
When: Saturday, March 26 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Agricultural History Project Center and Museum
Cost: Free
Capitola Village Easter Egg Hunt – The annual Capitola Village Easter egg hunt takes place on Saturday on the beach. Kids 12 and under are invited to join in the hunt out in front of the Venetian Hotel. There will be two separate areas. One for kids 5 and under, and another for children ages 6-12. Kids will search for candy-filled eggs in the sand. Parents are asked to make sure their children adhere to the 3 egg per child limit.
The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance so don’t forget your camera. This event begins promptly at 11:00 am and given that parking down in the Village can be a bit unpredictable you should plan on showing up early.
This free event is hosted by the Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce.
When: Saturday, March 26 at 11:00 am – don’t be late!
Where: Capitola Beach – on the sand, in front of the Venetian Hotel
Cost: Free
Chaminade Resort & Spa – In addition to their Easter Brunch mentioned above, the Chaminade will also host Easter egg hunts throughout the day. Pack your camera because the Easter Bunny will also be in attendance.
When: Sunday, March 27
Where: Chaminade Resort & Spa
Cost: Free
Easter egg hunt times: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm
Roaring Camp’s Eggstraordinary Easter Egg Hunt – Take the Eggspress steam train through the redwoods up to the top of Bear Mountain. Once at the top of Bear Mountain the kids will enjoy searching for chocolate eggs at the Eggstraordinary Easter egg hunt. Kids should bring their own Easter egg baskets.
The Roaring Camp website doesn’t give a lot of details about the event, but all you have to do is purchase one of the Easter Steam Train time slots on the 26th or 27th (11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm).
When: March 26 & 27 at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm
Where: Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton, Ca
Cost: $27 for adults, $20 for children
Kennolyn Camps Easter Egg Hunt – Hundreds of families will descend on Kennolyn Camps’ property this Saturday to take part in one of the area’s largest hunts. After your kids have found all the eggs they can carry, stick around for a complementary tour of the campgrounds.
When: Saturday, March 26 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Where: Kennolyn Camps
Cost: Free
Boulder Creek Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt
Bring your little egg hunters for a fun event filled with live music, food, games, crafts, a bounce house, and bunny photo opps!
When: Saturday, March 26 from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Redwood Elementary School
Cost: Free; Bunny photos $5
Easter Carnivals
Garfield Community Church – This Easter carnival will feature food, games, bounce houses, petting zoos, face painting, live music and, of course, an Easter egg hunt. Proceeds will go toward Save Our Shores, and all families are welcome.
When: Saturday, March 26 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Where: Garfield Park Community Church
Cost: free
Eggapalooza Easter Festival – Eggapalooza is giant Easter Egg Hunt. 20,000 eggs to be precise. But it’s also a whole lot more than just an Easter egg hunt. There will also be a bounce house, face painting, and rock wall climbing. Mav’Riks, the Santa Cruz Warriors mascot will be in attendance. There will also be exotic animals and a petting zoo, presented by Zoo to You.
The egg hunt is being staggered for different age groups, so make sure you arrive at the right time for your little ones. Food & drinks will be available by Food Trucks A Go Go.
When: Saturday, March 26 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Gateway Bible Church
Cost: free
Bunny Photos
New Leaf Community Market – The Easter Bunny will be setting up shop at various New Leaf locations over the weekend. Stop by your local New Leaf to snap photos with the Easter Bunny.
When: Friday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27 from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Where: New Leaf (Friday: Westside, Saturday: Capitola, Sunday: Downtown)
Cost: free
Capitola Mall – Photos with the Easter Bunny are available now through Easter Sunday. Head to the promo court near Macy’s.
When: Now through Sunday, March 27
Where: Capitola Mall
Cost: $27 – $30
