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Santa CruzREUNION KIT

THE LOCAL HEAD START · AN INTERACTIVE EXAMPLE

A Santa Cruz weekend,
already thought through.

A park that holds the whole family. A welcome dinner sized for the people actually coming. Picnic prices you can trace to the source. Take this starting point and make it yours.

Try your numbers

Start with 100 guests · Change the numbers below · No account required

Waves along the Santa Cruz coastline
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIAA PLACE TO COME TOGETHER

Friday by the harbor.
Saturday with everyone.
Sunday, a little reluctant to leave.

100 at the main gathering40 at welcome dinner3 days with room to breathe Source-checked September 6, 2026

01 / THE NUMBERS THAT GROUND THE PLAN

Start with what we know.

Price the core of Saturday’s picnic, then keep the missing costs visible. This is a sourced starting subtotal, not a quote for the weekend.

people

Forty Thieves lists capacity for 100. For a larger gathering, choose a different site before scaling the food order.

City limits, not Santa Cruz County. Confirm eligibility with the reservation office.

Resident site fee$251 / dayNonresident site fee$327 / day

SATURDAY PICNIC · PUBLISHED BASE PRICES

Forty Thieves picnic areaOne day · nonresident tier [1]
$327
Zoccoli’s bag lunches100 × $15.95 · one per person [3]
$1,595
Known base subtotal$1,922

$19.22 per picnic guest
Before all items listed below

STILL TO PRICE

Food tax and fees · drinks and supplies · any permits, insurance, or deposits · transport · welcome dinner · lodging · other meals · weather backup.

City fees effective January 5, 2026. Menu checked September 6, 2026. A bag lunch includes a sandwich, chips, and a cookie. Confirm current prices, order capacity, substitutions, and pickup before committing.

Separate the shared picnic from everyone’s travel. A hotel room block is a different quote. Keeping lodging, optional dinner, and the main gathering separate helps families understand what they are agreeing to pay.

02 / RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT HEADCOUNT

One reunion. Different gatherings.

A restaurant for 40 can be a great welcome dinner. That doesn’t make it a venue for the 100-person main event.

THE MAIN GATHERING

DeLaveaga Park
Forty Thieves

A picnic-site reservation is the anchor for this example. Request the site and food separately, and confirm the City’s catering requirements.

Published capacity
100 people
Your picnic count
100 people
Standard daily site fee
$251 / $327

Within the published headcount

Access and details to confirm
  • The City lists accessible bathrooms and accessible parking at Forty Thieves.
  • Confirm the continuous route from your parking spaces to the specific reserved tables.
  • Confirm table layout, the exact reservation hours, parking, catering, and any permit requirements for your activities.
  • At 100, there is no spare headcount in the published capacity. Confirm how the City counts everyone on site.
See the City’s site details
THE OPTIONAL WELCOME DINNER

The Crow’s Nest
Harbor Room

A separate private-dining lead for the smaller arrival group. Its quoted dinner cost does not appear in the picnic subtotal.

Published seated capacity
50 people
Menu, room fees & minimums
Quote required

40 fits the listed seated capacity

What the dinner quote needs to include
  • Seated layout, date availability, and exclusive use of the room.
  • Food-and-beverage minimum, room fee, tax, service charges, and any additional gratuity.
  • Step-free route, accessible restroom, dietary needs, and cancellation terms.
Ask the banquet team

03 / GIVE THE WEEKEND A SHAPE

Enough structure.
Plenty of family time.

A suggested run-of-show with a person responsible for each handoff. Adapt every time and location to your confirmed reservations.

  1. 10:00 AM

    Set up before guests arrive

    Setup volunteers

    Use the hours in your City reservation. Check the access route and restrooms; set out signs, name tags, water, and clearly labeled food areas.

    Site lead + two helpers
  2. 11:00 AM

    Make introductions easy

    100 picnic guests

    Welcome people at Forty Thieves. Start with name tags and a simple family connection prompt, with seats available for anyone who needs them.

    Host
  3. 12:00 PM

    Picnic lunch, without a kitchen project

    100 bag lunches in this estimate

    Arrange a named pickup lead with Zoccoli’s. Confirm the order size, dietary substitutions, timing, food handling, and what drinks or supplies you need to bring.

    Food lead
  4. 1:00 PM

    The part everyone came for

    Everyone who wants to join

    Take the family photo, invite a few stories, and leave time for relaxed conversation. Choose activities people can join seated as well as standing.

    Photo + activities lead
  5. 3:00 PM

    Leave the site ready for the next family

    Cleanup volunteers

    This is a suggested timeline. Follow your permitted end time, pack out belongings, handle waste, and complete any City checkout requirements.

    Site lead + cleanup team

04 / THE ORDER MATTERS

Secure the anchor.
Then fill in the weekend.

  1. 1

    Ask the City about your picnic date.

    Confirm the site, rules, access, and complete fees. A preferred date is not a reservation.

  2. 2

    Check the food plan for that date.

    Ask Zoccoli’s whether it can fulfill 100 lunches, when to order, and how pickup and dietary requests work.

  3. 3

    Quote lodging and any welcome dinner.

    Compare total room costs and release terms. Use 40 for the dinner inquiry, not 100.

  4. 4

    Confirm terms. Then send the invitation.

    Publish the details you have actually secured. Assign a food lead, a site lead, and a guest communications lead.

YOUR FIRST USEFUL ACTION

The park inquiry,
already drafted.

To: parksandrec@santacruzca.gov

Review and add your dates. You send it from your own email. Changing picnic count or residency refreshes the draft.

THE RESEARCH, OPEN TO INSPECTION

Follow the facts.

Official sources checked September 6, 2026. Published prices and features are starting evidence; providers confirm your actual date, group, and terms.

  1. 01City of Santa Cruz · 2026 picnic fees, page 2
  2. 02City of Santa Cruz · picnic capacity and access
  3. 03Zoccoli’s Deli · catering menu
  4. 04The Crow’s Nest · Harbor Room capacity

KEEP THE WORK. MAKE IT YOURS.

Your family.
A useful head start.

Carry your 100-person gathering and 40-person welcome dinner into the planner. Add your dates, room needs, and priorities, then adapt the inquiries and schedule.

Use this reunion blueprint

Free working planner · No account required

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