Locations
The MAH plays a vital role in shaping Santa Cruz’s sense of place by presenting art, history, and programs rooted in the experiences, landscapes, and stories of Santa Cruz County. The MAH reflects the region’s character while helping residents and visitors understand what makes Santa Cruz distinct using place itself as a meaningful part of the visitor experience across multiple sites throughout the county:
Downtown Santa Cruz
The MAH’s primary site is the county’s largest museum and a central cultural gathering place in downtown Santa Cruz. Located near public transit, parking, restaurants, and retail, it is highly accessible and serves as a visible civic space where art, history, and community life intersect.
705 Front Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Evergreen Cemetery
Evergreen Cemetery provides a contemplative setting for programs and interpretation that engage themes of memory, community, and continuity. As both a historic landscape and active public space, it deepens the MAH’s connection to the county’s cultural and emotional geography.
261 Evergreen Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Davenport Jail
The historic Davenport Jail extends the MAH’s reach into North County, preserving and interpreting local history within the physical context in which it occurred. The site offers artist residencies and place-based encounters with Santa Cruz County’s past.
70 Center Street
Davenport, CA 95017
Photo by Garrick Ramirez
Abbott Square & The Octagon
The MAH's outdoor public plaza, Abbott Square boasts restaurants, bars, and unexpected connections with local art & history. Recently reopened for outdoor dining. Check out the many lives the historic Octagon building found out on the plaza.
118 Cooper Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Culture Across The County
The MAH reaches out to people throughout Santa Cruz County. This includes programs that bring students into the sites, and pop-up exhibits in venues across the region. This distributed approach allows the MAH to meet communities where they are, broaden access, and reinforce the idea that Santa Cruz’s cultural life is shared across the region.