FIND UNIQUE, LOCAL GIFTS AT GREAT PRICES DURING THE ANNUAL
HOLIDAY SALE AT THE MISSION PARKSTORE, DEC. 5-7
DECEMBER 1, 2014—SANTA CRUZ, CA—Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks today announced the
Santa Cruz Mission Adobe State Historic Park will increase its hours of operation to five days a week, an enhancement possible thanks to the overwhelming success of the second annual Mole & Mariachi Festival, held in September, and one that will provide greater access to “Your State Park 
Downtown.” The Mission will now be open on Mondays and Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 12-4 p.m. Admission is free; donations are accepted and all funds go to support the park. The new hours are now in effect.
“Friends is excited to be able to fund this added access for school children and the public,” Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks Executive Director Bonny Hawley said. To schedule a school field trip, call 831-425-5849. There are only a few dates still available for 2015. Also new this winter, for the first time the Mission Adobe will host Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks’ annual Holiday Sale. The weekend-long event offers deep discounts on great park-themed merchandise, including apparel, jewelry, books, toys and iconic Michael Schwab art. The sale will begin Friday, Dec. 5 from 5-8 p.m. with a Preview Sale and First Friday event, featuring an Ugly Sweater Contest as well as free samples of Mexican hot chocolate and a luminary display. The sale will continue Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be 20% off discounts storewide during the sale, with Friends’ members receiving 30% off purchases. Become a member at the Holiday Sale and receive the larger discount. The Holiday Sale will showcase new local products in the Mission ParkStore, including olive oil from the True Olive Connection and prepared packages of My Mom’s Mole, a gourmet food product that has competed in both the 2013 and 2014 mole contests at the Mole & Mariachi Festival. This year’s Mole & Mariachi Festival drew record crowds to the Mission Adobe. Approximately 3,000 people attended the one-day event, up from more than 1,000 at the inaugural 2013 festival. Proceeds from the event benefit the Mission Adobe. In 2013, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks funded improvements to the Mission patio from event proceeds. “We are so thankful for the public’s support of the Mission Adobe,” Hawley said. “It’s a hidden gem in downtown Santa Cruz.”
About Santa Cruz Mission Adobe State Historic Park
The Santa Cruz Mission Adobe State Historic Park is home to the oldest building in Santa Cruz County Built between 1822 and 1824 by local Ohlonean and Yokuts Indians, the park’s signature adobe is theonly remaining structure from Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. One of just four adobe buildings left in Santa Cruz County—and sometimes confused with the nearby replica mission chapel—it is the only building of its kind preserved as a museum in the State of California. The adobe served as housing for Neophyte families who lived and worked at the Mission, which operated until 1834 when it was secularized. After decades of private ownership, the adobe was sold to the State of California, extensively restored and finally opened in 1991 to the public as the Santa Cruz Mission SHP. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks saved Santa Cruz Mission Adobe SHP from closure in 2012. Friends’ funding for the Mission has supported maintenance and operations at the park, as well as operation of the Mission ParkStore and a commitment to partner with the community and work with California State Parks to make needed improvements. Key improvements that have already been implemented include the opening of new interpretive exhibits, renovated outdoor cooking facilities and new hours of operation to serve local school children. The park is supported by the Mission Adobe Committee, members of which include representatives of Friends, State Parks and dedicated community volunteers. Santa Cruz Mission Adobe State Historic Park is located at 144 School St., near downtown Santa Cruz.
About Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is an entrepreneurial nonprofit sustaining the legacy of our state parks and beaches. Through an innovative partnership with California State Parks, and by leveraging local community support, Friends has provided millions of dollars of funding for educational programs, visitor services and capital projects. Founded in 1976, Friends is passionately dedicated to the preservation of our spectacular natural environment and rich cultural history. Friends also operates six ParkStores, offering nature- and history-themed merchandise for sale to benefit local parks and beaches. Learn more about Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks at ThatsMyPark.org or via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.