Slough

Pastoral charm, scenic nature

For more information on activities in Santa Cruz County, please visit the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council website.

A variety of options await visitors to Watsonville and the Pajaro Valley. Choose from an early morning bird watching excursion, an afternoon at a u-pick farm or museum, a sunset stroll on an expansive beach or attending a signature festival. Strawberry fields and apple orchards provide a gorgeous backdrop for this scenic destination.

The Wetlands of Watsonville Nature Center displays a diversity of wildlife habitats, including the Pajaro River, the Watsonville Sloughs and Pinto Lake. Over 200 species of waterfowl, raptors and songbirds live in and migrate through the wetlands, making it and ideal place to watch for feathered creatures, or enjoy one of the many trails winding through the area. Nearby, the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve is one of California’s last undisturbed coastal wetlands. The annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival each September is a captivating way to take in the sights.

Another kind of bird watching takes place during the Watsonville Fly-In. The largest air show in Northern California, the Fly-In features vintage planes and restored World War II war birds in an airborne extravaganza during Labor Day Weekend.

The streets of downtown Watsonville are lined with Victorian buildings, 1880s storefronts, and the town’s centerpiece, the Watsonville Plaza, which serves as a gathering place for celebrations and festivals. A few blocks away, the Henry J. Mello Center boasts the finest acoustics in the county. The Pajaro Valley Arts Galley features rotating exhibits, while the Pajaro Valley Historical Museum retraces the region’s past.

In southern Santa Cruz County, Manresa and Sunset State Beaches are often uninhabited, and are perfect for sunset walks along the water’s edge. Watsonville’s unique landscape is rich with options for fun and exploration.