Return to the Redwoods
We can’t wait to see you in 2025!
FRI
AUG 15
2025
–
SUN
AUG 17
2025
Secure your spot!
View the Return to the Redwoods 2024 photo gallery
Last year’s schedule
Looking for a sneak peek of what awaits at Return to the Redwoods 2025? Check out the 2024 schedule below:
Day 1 – Friday, August 16
- Settle in and celebrate your return to campus!
- Head over to the McHenry Library to explore the archives and do some crafting with our friends in Special Collections
- Dinner and kick-off celebration in the Porter Quad
- Stars ‘n’ S’mores on the East Field
Day 2 – Saturday, August 17
- Breakfast in the Rachel Carson College Dining Hall
- Morning program blocks: Forest Talk, hiking, farm tour, or tie-dye workshop
- Resource Center Celebration
- Afternoon program blocks: Forest Talk, hiking, Sound Activation, balloon twisting workshop, tour of Sesnon Gallery
- Latino Alumni Network Meetup
- Santa Cruz Spotlight Festival in the Porter Quad
- Redwood Reels movie in The Rachel Carson College Plaza Amphitheater
Day 3 – Sunday, August 18
- Wake up slowly and soak in the morning on campus before saying farewell and heading home.
- Breakfast in the Rachel Carson College Dining Hall
- Take a walking tour of the west side of campus with former campus architect Frank Zwart!
- Head off campus on one of our Field Trips
FAQs
Who is Return to the Redwoods for?
All UC Santa Cruz alumni and their families, friends, and more are encouraged to join in the fun. Whether you just graduated or are celebrating a milestone reunion (or maybe somewhere in between), we hope you’ll spend the weekend with us up on our City on a Hill!
Do I have to stay on campus to participate?
While so much of the fun happening this weekend will be on campus, you do not have to stay there if dorms aren’t your thing.
Is this event family-friendly?
Absolutely! There will be activities for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
Please note: Guests of all ages are welcome to stay in the apartment-style housing options. Dorm room-style housing is restricted to guests aged 18 and older due to safety considerations.
Can I bring any non-alumni friends? What about pets?
Of course! While this event is designed for and inspired by Slugs, you are encouraged to bring friends and family along to join the fun!
Domestic animals that are not service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are prohibited on all UC Santa Cruz property. You can learn more about rules and regulations regarding animals on campus here.
Can I stay in my old dorm room?
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to stay in your dorm room and it is extremely unlikely that this kind of request can be granted. Rooms and apartments are assigned in the order that guests purchase.
Who should I contact to secure any accessibility accommodations?
If you have any accessibility requirements/requests/questions, you can contact alumni@ucsc.edu.
Any other questions? Feel free to reach out to us at alumni@ucsc.edu
Relive the weekend
Last year’s Return to the Redwoods was a resounding success, vividly captured in the smiles and laughter evident in our gallery of photos and videos now available online. Alumni and friends soaked in the nostalgic campus ambiance, exchanged stories of yesteryear, and enjoyed an array of engaging activities surrounded by UCSC’s iconic natural beauty. As you reminisce on these treasured memories, get ready to create new ones—next year’s event promises to bring even more opportunities to connect and celebrate the enduring spirit of UC Santa Cruz. Stay tuned for updates and start planning your return to the campus that forever holds a place in our hearts.
