🎨 This Weekend: Santa Cruz Open Studios — All-County Edition!
Good news: The All-County phase of Santa Cruz’s annual Open Studios Art Tour happens this weekend — Saturday and Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
That means studios across all parts of the county — from the coast to the hills, from Watsonville to Davenport — will be open for you to explore.
🗺️ What to Expect
This is the final and most expansive weekend of the Open Studios Tour: all participating artists (over 300) are invited to open their doors.
Studios will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
You’ll see works in 22 different mediums, from painting, ceramics, glass, jewelry, fiber arts, sculpture, glass, digital media, and more.
Many studios feature live demonstrations, work-in-progress pieces, and chances to talk with the artists.
You’ll find green directional signs around the county guiding you toward artist studios.
🧭 How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Grab a guidebook or use the digital guide/app
The Arts Council provides printed studio guides and a digital version online.The app “Santa Cruz County Open Studios” helps you look up artists by name, medium, and location.
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Plan your route, especially if you’re trying to hit a few studios in different parts of the county. Some clusters are denser and easier to navigate.
North County has strong clusters around Tannery Arts Center, Mission Street Extension, and downtown Santa Cruz.
South County has clusters in Watsonville, Aptos Warehouse Studios, Corralitos, and along coastal roads.
Dress for comfort & weather
Wear comfy shoes, bring layers (it might be cooler in hills or near the coast), and carry water and snacks.Be ready to interact
Artists often love explaining their process, showing works-in-progress, or discussing materials. Asking questions or just saying “hello” usually goes a long way.Support the artists
If you see a piece you like, consider buying directly from the artist. It’s a way to support local creativity and take home something unique.
🎯 Why This Weekend Is Special
Because all studios are open, this weekend offers the broadest opportunity to experience the full spectrum of creativity across Santa Cruz County.
You can traverse geography and style — from ocean vistas to redwood retreats, from crossing mediums in one day, to deep-diving in one artist’s studio.
It’s the culmination of the Open Studios season — artists often bring their strongest and newest works.
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