February's Lowest Tides Here are February's lowest tides in Santa Cruz. Negative low tides offer the perfect opportunity to go tide pooling: Saturday, Feb. 26 at 1:35 pm -.94 Sunday, Feb. 27 at 2:23 pm -1.2 Monday, Feb. 28 at 3:07 pm -1.3 Remember to respect all #MarineProtectedAreas by not touching, disturbing or collecting any […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
California State Parks Backpacking Adventures Tuesday, March 1, 9 - 5 Registration is now open for the California State Parks Backpacking Adventures (CASPBA) program, which will offer three guided backpacking tours in the Santa Cruz Mountains this summer. Led by experienced backcountry naturalists, the CASPBA trips are enjoyable for novice and advanced backpackers alike. Trips […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
Concrete Ship History Walk Thursday, March 17, 11am - 12pm Learn about Seacliff State Beach’s fascinating history on this 1-mile, 1-hour stroll to the Aptos Creek Bridge and back. Get the lowdown on the Concrete Ship, the development of Aptos, “The Madman of Seacliff,” and much, much more. Bring water and layered clothing. Pre-registration required […]
Communi-Tea Party Saturday, March 5, 9 - 10am Drop by to warm up and learn more about a few of the herbs found in Santa Cruz County. Three teas will be prepared for your enjoyment and delight! Casually discuss the properties of these herbs, how to identify them, and where to find them with a […]
Nature Club Arana Gulch, Santa Cruz Harbor, & Spring Wildflowers Saturday, March 5, 10am - 12:30pm Spring wildflowers abound at Arana Gulch! Join the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History in exploring the 63 acre open space observing wildlife, exploring forests and fields, and walking around the adjacent Santa Cruz Harbor to look for marine […]
Historic Ranch Ground Tours Saturdays 1 - 2pm, Jan 1 - April 17 Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns, and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Spaces are limited […]
Get Out and Explore Kits March -lbrary hours The Get Out & Explore kits encourage library users to go outside and experience nature in any of the fantastic State Parks in Santa Cruz County (and beyond). Get Out & Explore kits make available the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of Santa Cruz County, strengthening […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
Family Fun: Birding at Struve Slough! March 12, 10am - 12pm For this month’s Family Fun event hosted by the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, we will be exploring the birds of Struve Slough in Watsonville! Educators from the Bird School Project will provide binoculars and lead families on a guided tour of the […]
Hike with Docents Gray Whale Cove Trail Saturdays 10am - 12pm, 2/12, 3/12 & 4/9 Join State Park Docents for a two-hour hike along the scenic Gray Whale Cove Trail at State Parks’ McNee Ranch at Montara. Enjoy a moderate 2-mile hike overlooking the California coast. From the trail, you will be able to view […]
Birding for Beginners Sunday, March 13, 9 - 10am Join State Park Interpreter Dylan McManus for a tranquil morning filled with resident and migratory birds. Learn about the birds in our park and ways to participate in birding community science, receive a Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park birding brochure, and begin your hobby as an […]
Butano Guided Hikes Sunday, March 13, 10m - 12:00pm Join a State Parks Interpreter for a two mile hike through the riparian, redwood, and oak woodland habitats of Butano State Park. You will learn about the different flora that live in these distinct habitats along the Six Bridges and Jackson Flats trails. Meet at the […]
Get Out and Explore Kits March -lbrary hours The Get Out & Explore kits encourage library users to go outside and experience nature in any of the fantastic State Parks in Santa Cruz County (and beyond). Get Out & Explore kits make available the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of Santa Cruz County, strengthening […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
California State Parks Backpacking Adventures June 9 - 12; July 9 - 11; August 12 - 13 Registration for Summer 2022 Now Open! Who better to lead you through our parks than California State Park professionals? Three backpacking trips are offered from June through August 2022 ranging from one to three nights, offering options for […]
Find the Gold Left by Leprechauns Thursday, March 17, starting at 10am while supplies last. Have a little sense of wonder & let the search begin! Take one for good luck, Leave one to share, You decide. Be kind. County Park Locations: • Felton Covered Bridge Park • Willowbrook Park • Pinto Lake County Park
Concrete Ship History Walk Thursday, March 17, 11am - 12pm Learn about Seacliff State Beach’s fascinating history on this 1-mile, 1-hour stroll to the Aptos Creek Bridge and back. Get the lowdown on the Concrete Ship, the development of Aptos, “The Madman of Seacliff,” and much, much more. Bring water and layered clothing. Pre-registration required […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
Visit the Sloughs Watsonville Wetlands Watch is dedicated to the protection, restoration, and fostering of appreciation of the wetlands of the Pajaro Valley, especially involving members of the Watsonville community and the students of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Watsonville Wetlands Watch envisions a wetland ecosystem that thrives within Watsonville and the greater Pajaro […]
Saturdays in the Soil Third Saturdays, 10am-12pm It’s time to get your hands dirty! Learn about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History while coming together as a community to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. Email volunteer@santacruzmuseum.org to RSVP What to Expect -This native […]
California State Parks Backpacking Adventures June 9 - 12; July 9 - 11; August 12 - 13 Registration for Summer 2022 Now Open! Who better to lead you through our parks than California State Park professionals? Three backpacking trips are offered from June through August 2022 ranging from one to three nights, offering options for […]
Historic Ranch Ground Tours Saturdays 1 - 2pm, Jan 1 - April 17 Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns, and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Spaces are limited […]
Get Out and Explore Kits March -lbrary hours The Get Out & Explore kits encourage library users to go outside and experience nature in any of the fantastic State Parks in Santa Cruz County (and beyond). Get Out & Explore kits make available the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of Santa Cruz County, strengthening […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
Coastal Birding Walk Friday, March 25, 9 - 11am On this 2.5 mile hike, be prepared to walk on uneven surfaces, with many stops to view the many birds, plants, and scenery along the way. You will help each other spot and identify birds! Bring your binoculars if you have them, clothes for variable weather, […]
Join us for a Wildflower Walk Saturday, March 26, 11am There's nothing quite like a wildflower walk on ESF-protected lands to welcome spring! ESF members are invited to join us for a special guided outing at one of our properties on March 26 starting at 11:00 AM sharp. Location will be provided after RSVP confirmation. […]
Old-Growth Redwood Tours Saturdays 12 - 1pm, Jan 1 - Mar 26 Are there different kinds of redwoods? How do coastal redwoods grow to become the tallest organisms on earth? Why are there so few old growth trees left? Learn the answer to these questions and more every Saturday when you take a walk through […]
Walk with a Docent Burleigh Murray Ranch Walk Sundays 10am - 12pm, 2/27, 3/27 & 4/24 Join State Park Docents on a leisurely two-hour walk. Take a journey back in time along Mills Creek at Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park. This walk will be a 2.5 miles round trip hike with only a small […]
Historic Ranch Ground Tours Saturdays 1 - 2pm, Jan 1 - April 17 Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns, and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Spaces are limited […]
Get Out and Explore Kits March -lbrary hours The Get Out & Explore kits encourage library users to go outside and experience nature in any of the fantastic State Parks in Santa Cruz County (and beyond). Get Out & Explore kits make available the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of Santa Cruz County, strengthening […]
Elephant Seal Guided Walks Daily, December 15 - March 31 Explore Año Nuevo with a Docent The park offers guided walks lead by volunteer docent naturalist to see the northern elephant seals in their natural habitat inside the Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve. Año Nuevo docents go through extensive training and are highly knowledgeable in the […]
Visit the Sloughs Watsonville Wetlands Watch is dedicated to the protection, restoration, and fostering of appreciation of the wetlands of the Pajaro Valley, especially involving members of the Watsonville community and the students of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Watsonville Wetlands Watch envisions a wetland ecosystem that thrives within Watsonville and the greater Pajaro […]
Life on the Ranch: A Living History Event April 2, 11am - 4pm Join us on a trip back in time to experience what life would have been like on a working dairy ranch in the early 1900s. At this living history event, costumed docents will guide you through the past and take you into […]
Historic Ranch Ground Tours Saturdays 1 - 2pm, Jan 1 - April 17 Discover what life was like a century ago on this innovative dairy ranch. This hour-long tour includes the 1896 water-powered machine shop, barns, and other historic buildings. The vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more information, call (831) 426-0505. Spaces are limited […]
