Get ready to hike around an ancient seafloor! On this 1.5 mile hike, which will last approximately 2 hours, through the Santa Cruz Sandhills, participants can meander through sandy soils on the mountain top, about 800 feet above present day sea level. Explore this beautiful landscape and learn about the rare and unique things that call it home. The hike is recommended for 8 and up. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.Parking: Meet in the main parking lot of the campground just past the kiosk (located at 2591 Graham Hill Road, Scotts Valley CA 95060). Day-use fee is $10.Preparation: Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Bring warm layers. Wear good hiking boots/shoes. Bring water and snacks.Special instructions: Pre-registration for the hike is required here.Contact: henrycowell@ports-ca.usFollow us on: Facebook and Instagram.

Park: Pescadero State BeachWhere: Pescadero Marsh - Sequoia Audubon TrailTime: 10:00 amParking: Free parking in the middle Pescadero State Beach lot located here.What to expect: Join a State Park Interpreter on a gentle, level walk that includes several extended stops for nature journaling, which is the practice of being curious and mindful in nature by documenting your experiences and observations. We will learn some beginner-friendly nature journaling skills and exercises to help you deepen your relationship with the world around us. No prior art or writing experience is necessary. Use the paper and colored pencils provided by us, or bring your own sketchbook and drawing/writing supplies.Length of hike: 1.5 milesAges: All ages welcomed. Preparation: Participants should wear sturdy shoes and a hat, bring plenty of drinking water & snacks or lunch. We will have some paper, clipboards, and drawing materials available, but feel free to bring your own sketchbook and art supplies if you want!Special instructions: Bring drinking water–none is available in this park. Steady rain will cancel.Contact: Elexis Padrón -  halfmoonbay@ports-ca.us or call (669) 758-1819Follow us on:  Instagram or Facebook

Join us to experience the old-growth redwood grove and learn all about Coast Redwoods and the forest. This 1 mile walk will last about 1.5 hours and is recommended for ages 6 and up. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.Parking: meet in front of the Visitor Center (located off Highway 9.) Vehicle day-use fee is $10.Preparation: Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Bring warm layers. Wear good hiking boots/shoes. Bring water and snacks.Special instructions: Pre-registration for the hike is required here.Contact: henrycowell@ports-ca.usFollow us on: Facebook and Instagram. 

Park: Seacliff State Beach  Where: Deck of the Seacliff Visitor Center.  When: 11:00 am  Parking: There is a $10 vehicle day-use fee.  What to Expect:  Come along on a 90-minute walk on New Years Day and discover the stories of the S.S. Palo Alto, "The Madman of Seacliff", the great storms of Seacliff and much, more. Sign up here, https://SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/historywalk. Meet on the deck of the Seacliff Visitor Center. Rain cancels.   Length: 90 minutes.  Ages: All ages welcome. Preparation: Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, warm clothes and an umbrella for drizzly rain. Steady rain cancels this event.  Special Instructions: Steady rain cancels this event. Contact: seacliff@ports-ca.us or call 831-685-6444 Social Media: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Park Name:   Natural Bridges State BeachWhere: Meet at Visitor CenterTime:  11:30 am What to expect:  Habitat hike where we explore several of the 12 habitats found within Natural Bridges State Beach.  We will start in our Monarch Grove where we will look for Monarch butterflies and Great Horned owls.  We will continue past the vernal pond where we may see birds and hear frogs.  After that we will enter the meadow which is a good place to look for Natural Bridges' herd of deer.  We will continue through willow habitat and then into sandy dunes and finish on the beach.Length of hike:  1 mileDuration:  1.5 hoursAges: All ages, children must be accompanied by an adultPreparation: Dress in layers, Bring binoculars if you have them.  Sign up required:  Special instructions: There is a short section of the hike where there are some large steps up over rocks.  This hike is not suitable for strollers.  Parking: $10.00 if park in main lot by visitor centerContact: Phone:  (831) 423 - 4609 x8, email:  naturalbridges@ports-ca.usSocial media: Follow us at Facebook:  @NaturalBridgesStateBeach  Instagram:  Naturalbridgesstatebeach Join with Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/gpr-thsh-tvd Or dial: (US) +1 252-528-7965 PIN: 866059700# Learn more about Meet at: https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282720

Park Name:   Natural Bridges State BeachWhere: Meet at Visitor CenterTime:  1:00 pmWhat to expect:  Habitat hike where we explore several of the 12 habitats found within Natural Bridges State Beach.  We will start in our Monarch Grove where we will look for Monarch butterflies and Great Horned owls.  We will continue past the vernal pond where we may see birds and hear frogs.  After that we will enter the meadow which is a good place to look for Natural Bridges' herd of deer.  We will continue through willow habitat and then into sandy dunes and finish on the beach.Length of hike:  1 mileDuration:  1.5 hoursAges: All ages, children must be accompanied by an adultPreparation: Dress in layers, Bring binoculars if you have them.  Sign up required:  Special instructions: There is a short section of the hike where there are some large steps up over rocks.  This hike is not suitable for strollers.  Parking: $10.00 if park in main lot by visitor centerContact: Phone:  (831) 423 - 4609 x8, email:  naturalbridges@ports-ca.usSocial media: Follow us at Facebook:  @NaturalBridgesStateBeach  Instagram:  Naturalbridgesstatebeach

Join us to experience the old-growth redwood grove and learn all about Coast Redwoods and the forest. This 1 mile walk will last about 1.5 hours and is recommended for ages 6 and up. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.Parking: Meet in front of the Visitor Center (located off Highway 9.) Vehicle day-use fee is $10.Preparation: Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Bring warm layers. Wear good hiking boots/shoes. Bring water and snacks.Special instructions: Pre-registration for the hike is required here.Contact: henrycowell@ports-ca.usFollow us on: Facebook and Instagram. 

We are offering a bird watching program on November 4th at 8:00am. Join us to learn all about life histories, behaviors, field markings, etc. On this 1-mile walk, we will make specific observations about characteristics that will certainly help us quack the case for many bird identifications! Let's plan to meet in the main parking lot of the park. Hope to see you there! Make sure to bring binoculars and a jacket so you're not murmuring under your breath "brrrrrrrrrrrrd."Reservation required; click here to RSVP.

Come learn about the story of Big Basin: past, present, and future while wandering under the guardian old-growth redwoods that have seen it all! This program is a 1 hour walk on a 0.6 mile, flat and easy trail designed for all ages. We will be covering the cultural history of this unique area including Indigenous groups, loggers, and preservationists. Of course, we will also discuss natural history such as the amazing coast redwood and the CZU Lightning Complex Fire as well as the future of our park.Participation is free, however, a $10 vehicle day-use fee will be charged upon arrival, or you can reserve a parking spot by clicking here. Please plan to meet at the temporary visitor center area located next to the restrooms at 10:45 am. Bring your own water or purchase water from Parking Kiosk as there is no running water, electricity or cell service at Big Basin!For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact bigbasin@ports-ca.us.Click here to Register

Coast Redwoods offer a 100% satisfaction guaran-treed! Every Saturday at 12:00pm, we are taking folks on a guided walk through the Redwood Grove to talk about coast redwoods and to experience the forest together. On this 1-mile stroll, we will be chatting about life histories, ecology, etc. and sharing a wonderful adventure among these giants. Click here to RSVP. Let's plan to meet in the front of the Visitor Center, we hope you can join us!

2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the last remaining building of the Santa Cruz Mission, a structure built by the hands of Ohlone and Yokuts people under Spanish control. Join us to learn about building methods of the indigenous people here before European arrivals, and how this and other adobe buildings were constructed under Spanish control. Visitors will get a chance to participate in a hands-on activity in demonstration of each building style, and learn about how life changed for Native people at the mission.  All living history demonstrations are FREE, no reservation required. Call (831) 425-5849 or email santacruzmission@ports-ca.us with questions.