Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History displays regional plant and animal specimens along with geological collections spanning from the Monterey Bay shore to the Santa Cruz Mountains. The building houses shells, minerals, and fossils gathered from the California coastline.

Laura Hecox founded the museum in 1905 by donating her personal collection of shells, minerals, and fossils gathered while working at the Santa Cruz Lighthouse. The building was constructed as a Carnegie Library in 1915.

The museum displays artifacts and archaeological finds from Native American communities who lived along the California coast. These objects help visitors understand the heritage and daily life of indigenous peoples in this region.

The museum is located in a historic building with accessible gallery spaces in the Seabright neighborhood. Visitors may find weekday visits less crowded than weekends for exploring the collections.

The building was originally a Carnegie Library, a public library funded through philanthropic donations. This transformation shows how historic structures gain new purposes while continuing to serve the community.

Location: Santa Cruz

Location: Seabright

Location: Santa Cruz County

Inception: 1905

Address: 1305 East Cliff Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95062, USA

Website: http://santacruzmuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 36.96444,-122.00966

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42