Shady groves, tropical flowers, the minty tang of eucalyptus on the air...there are many reasons to visit the UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden (arboretum.ucsc.edu) but the chance of glimpsing hummingbirds tops our list. Amble around this peaceful arboretum and picturesquely decaying 19th-century structures from Cowell Ranch, upon which the UCSC campus was built.
Among 300 plant species at this diverse garden, managed by University of California, Santa Cruz, are nectar-rich blooms that attract two different kinds of hummingbird. For the best chance of witnessing these petite pollinators, go to the South Africa and Australia gardens early in the day or right at the end of the afternoon. They look otherworldly as they dive to drink from coral bells while their wings beat more than 60 times per second. Anna's hummingbirds are visible year-round; look for a telltale glint of cerise feathers (males) and iridescent green (females). From late February to May, ruby-throated Allen's hummingbirds join the nectar-sipping party. Look out for California quails scurrying between bushes, and red-tailed hawks and northern harriers wheeling above.
Buses 11 and 19 travel between Front St and the arboretum, or it's 15 minutes by rideshare.
