Return to the Redwoods

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!

While so much of the fun happening this weekend will be on campus, you do not have to stay there if campus housing isn’t your thing. Just don’t forget your Weekend Pass!

After a few years of running the program, we’ve learned that it’s simplest for our guests to secure housing earlier in the year—typically in the spring—while purchasing Weekend Passes and activities closer to the event in June. As a growing program, we’re continuously learning and making adjustments to improve the experience for everyone. We truly appreciate your patience and flexibility as we fine-tune the process. Thank you for being part of it with us!

You can now purchase your Weekend Passes and select optional activities here.

The African, Black, and Caribbean (ABC) Reunion was developed in collaboration with a committee of ABC-identified alumni and the African American Resource and Cultural Center at UC Santa Cruz. The goal is to create intentional spaces for ABC alumni to connect, celebrate, and reflect on their experiences—past, present, and future.

All events, including ABC Reunion activities, are open to all alumni regardless of identity. The separate pass helps us plan for meals, materials, and space, and ensures we can support both the ABC Reunion and Return to the Redwoods experiences fully.

Our intention is to foster both community and connection—through shared celebration and identity-affirming spaces.

Yes, Return to the Redwoods is a family-friendly event!

This year, we’ve added more activities specifically geared toward families with children, and we offer Family Zone apartment housing for those with kids under 18. These apartments are prioritized for families, providing shared living spaces in a quieter area close to the Rachel Carson Dining Hall. Please note that, for safety reasons, children under 18 cannot stay in dorm-style housing — but all ages are welcome in the apartments. We look forward to welcoming your whole family for a weekend of fun and connection!

Yes! Your Weekend Pass includes campus parking for the entire event. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a parking permit to display in your vehicle.

We encourage guests to join us for the full weekend experience, but we understand not everyone can stay the whole time. While housing is priced per night, the Weekend Pass is required for all attendees, even if you only plan to join us for a day.

The Weekend Pass includes dinner at our kickoff party Friday night, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at Rachel Carson College Dining Hall. For other meals, you can explore nearby dining options on and off campus.

When we get closer to the event, we’ll share the locations and hours of food options on campus!

Gym and pool access are included in your Weekend Pass! If you’d like to visit the gym or use the pool (located near the East Field House), please stop by Slug Central to complete the waiver and get your access sticker. Once you have your access sticker, you are free to head over and use the facilities (including the pool).

Note: Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Yes! While the event is designed for alumni and their families, non-alumni friends are more than welcome to join the fun. Just make sure everyone in your group has a Weekend Pass.

Pets aren’t allowed on campus, so we kindly ask that you leave them at home. Service animals are, of course, welcome.

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.

Take a look at our suggested packing list. 

If you have any accessibility requirements/requests/questions, you can contact reunions@ucsc.edu

We don’t always have everyone’s correct contact information! Be sure to update your info here, so that you can always be updated on campus news and alumni events!

Log in using the same credentials you used to reserve housing. Select your Weekend Pass (Return to the Redwoods or ABC Reunion), click continue, then click “Make Additional Purchases/Reservations” to sign up for optional activities.

Yes—after checkout, update your participant roster to include everyone you purchased a Weekend Pass for (excluding yourself). This ensures they get a nametag and meal vouchers.

If others in your group are registering on their own, share this link with them: https://events.trustevent.com/templates/index.cfm?fuseaction=templates.home&eid=5146

Log in using the credentials emailed to you. Full payment is due by August 1. After that date, unpaid registrations will be canceled and refunded.

Yes! Your login credentials were emailed to you after your initial registration.
Search your inbox for a message with the subject line: “Your Return to the Redwoods Login Info.”

Still can’t find it?
Email us at reunions@ucsc.edu and we’ll resend your username and password.

Cancellation details for campus housing:

• Cancellations with at least two weeks’ notice will receive a refund minus a 6% fee
• Cancellations less than two weeks will be charged $50 and a 6% fee
• Cancellations without at least 72-hour notice will be charged one night’s accommodation and 6% fee

Cancellation details for Weekend Passes and activity registrations:

• Cancellations with at least two weeks’ notice will receive a refund minus a 6% fee
• Cancellations less than two weeks will be refunded 50% minus a 6% fee
• Cancellations without at least 72-hour notice will be charged the full amount.

While so much of the fun happening this weekend will be on campus, you do not have to stay there if campus housing isn’t your thing. Just don’t forget your Weekend Pass!

Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee placement in your old dorm room, and it’s unlikely we’ll be able to accommodate this request. Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, based on when reservations are completed.

Yes! While the Rachel Carson apartments are designated with families in mind, you’re welcome to stay there even if you don’t have children. Just note that many of your neighbors may be families with young kids, so the environment may reflect that. All units are private apartments with their own bathroom and shared living space for your group.

Your group will have a private apartment for each unit purchased. Every apartment includes its own entrance, bathroom, and shared living space, and you won’t be sharing the unit with anyone outside your party.

Apartments include a fridge, stove, oven, and kitchen space, but they DO NOT include dishes, cookware, utensils, or a microwave.

New Leaf and Safeway are nearby grocery stores where you can stock up on groceries and other essentials. 

If you have any accessibility requirements/requests/questions, you can contact reunions@ucsc.edu

Cancellation details for campus housing:

• Cancellations with at least two weeks’ notice will receive a refund minus a 6% fee
• Cancellations less than two weeks will be charged $50 and a 6% fee
• Cancellations without at least 72-hour notice will be charged one night’s accommodation and 6% fee

We included age suggestions this year to help guests choose the experiences that best match their visit. Some activities are designed with families in mind, while others are geared toward alumni looking to connect with fellow Slugs in a more adult-focused setting.

These are just suggestions—not restrictions—so feel free to join whichever activities feel right for you and your group!

Many activities have limited space and require advance registration through your event profile. Others—like the street fair or open houses—are drop-in friendly. Check the Weekend Schedule for details.

You can add to your activity selections anytime before August 1 by logging in to your event profile. If you need to remove or change your activities, you can email reunions@ucsc.edu for assistance. Some activities may fill up, so we recommend making changes early.

We’ll provide materials for most activities. For outdoor experiences like hikes, we recommend comfortable shoes, a refillable water bottle, and sunscreen. Activity descriptions will note if anything is needed.

Cancellation details for Weekend Passes and activity registrations:

• Cancellations with at least two weeks’ notice will receive a refund minus a 6% fee
• Cancellations less than two weeks will be refunded 50% minus a 6% fee
• Cancellations without at least 72-hour notice will be charged the full amount.