Wildflower Weekend
Wildflower Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4, Wildflower Walks 10am and 1pm
Join us for guided walks and wildflower displays.
Rancho del Oso’s elegant annual Wildflower Weekend event displays an impressive collection of vibrant wildflowers growing in the northern Santa Cruz coast region.
Enjoy glowing buttercups, exuberant shooting stars, blushing western wake robins and an array of other natural beauties.
This botanically captivating exhibit includes over 80 plants in bloom, including native and non-native species that are found in the western portion of Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The assortment of shapes, sizes, colors and forms are a delight to the senses.
Botanist-led Wildflower Walks will be offered at 10:00am and 1:00pm on both Saturday and Sunday
View over 80 plants in bloom including species found in the Waddell Valley, the coastal portion of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, during Rancho del Oso Nature Center’s Wildflower Weekend.
Two walks are offered during each time slot:
- Stroll along the Marsh Trail and out toward Waddell Beach.
- Hike the Hoover Loop fire road overlooking the coast and explore the CZU Fire burn area.
Rancho del Oso Nature Center is located off Highway 1 near Davenport.
*Free event. For more information, call (831) 427-2288. Event made possible by Waddell Creek Association and California State Parks.
A Little History
Established in 1902, Big Basin Redwoods is California’s oldest state park. In the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains, its biggest attractions—literally—are its ancient coast redwoods. Some of these giants are more than 50 feet around and as tall as the Statue of Liberty. At 1,000 to 1,800 years old, some may predate the Roman Empire. The park also offers spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, many babbling brooks, and a fascinating natural and cultural history.
A new chapter in Big Basin’s story began on August 18, 2020, when the CZU Lightning Complex Fire swept through 97% of the park’s property. The fire destroyed all historic structures and radically changed the landscape. The park now looks very different from how generations of visitors experienced it, but it is steadily recovering. Most of the old-growth redwood trees survived, new plant life is vigorously growing, and many animals have returned to the area. The Reimagining Big Basin project is managing the multi-year process of rebuilding park facilities and infrastructure.
