Park: Castle Rock State ParkWhere: Meetat the Saratoga Gap ParkingLotTime: Hikebegins at 10:00am Parking: Freeparking at Saratoga Gap until sunsetWhat to expect: Comestart the new year right with a grand history of these lush and scenic forest ridgelands. Former Castle Rock Ranger Miles Standish will take you through a seriesof short walks touching on the entire history of these mountains, fromprehistory to the first peoples of the Ohlone, the American pioneer times and intothe modern era. The hike will be broken into multiple pieces as participantshave the option of following in their own cars to additional trailheads with (former)Ranger Standish to explore a variety of historically and naturally significantareas. Total hiking distance will be around 2-3 miles, total (optional) drivingdistance will be approximately 7 miles.Ages: Allages welcomed.Preparation: Participantsshould wear sturdy shoes and a hat, bring water & snacks, and wearweather-appropriate clothing (significant rain or wind will cancel).Special instructions: Steadyrain,  strong winds or other potentiallyunsafe weather conditions will cancel – to confirm, call (408) 868-9540 or email portolacastlerock@ports-ca.usContact: AlexTrudelle (alex.trudelle@parks.ca.gov)831.291.8273Follow us on:Facebookand Instagram

New Years Day Hike – Castle Rock Falls and Goat Rock!January 1, 2024 (10:30 AM – 3:30 PM)Castle Rock State Park, Headquarters (Kirkwood Entrance)Start the New Year by hiking one of the most exciting and scenic trails in the Bay Area.  This moderate 5.15 mile loop has 1,190 feet elevation gain and amazing panoramic views.  We leave from park headquarters and visit the top of Castle Rock Falls.  We continue along a rocky trail with views of the San Lorenzo River Valley and the Pacific Ocean.  At Castle Rock Trail Camp, we loop-back to Goat Rock with its breathtaking vista.  After a relaxed lunch, we return to headquarters.This hike is rated “moderate” because hikers need to step onto rocks, balance, and scramble over rocks.  Hikers should be comfortable with their sense of balance.Meet at Park Headquarters.  Bring at least one liter of water, lunch, snacks, and appropriate clothing.  Rain or heavy wind cancels.  Vehicle day-use fee is $10.Free Event – No registration required.

Park: Montara State BeachWhere: Montara Mountain North Peak and Peak MountainTime: 8:30am - 1:00pmParking:  Free parking is located in Gray Whale Cove parking lot on Hwy 1 North. Exact location hereWhat to expect: Join a State Park Interpreter to enjoy the flora, fauna, and views of the coast on this strenuous 7 mile hike with 2,000 foot elevation gain and stunning 360 degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Mt. Tam, Mt. Diablo, Farallon Islands, Point Reyes, Golden Gate Bridge, and the greater San Francisco Bay. A lunch break will be taken atop Peak Mountain, before the downhill climb back to Gray Whale Cove. Length of hike: 7 mile loopAges: All ages welcome; please carefully read notes and be prepared for strenuous hikePreparation: Participants should wear sturdy shoes and a hat, and bring plenty of water & snacks. Hike includes some steep downhill and trekking poles are encouraged.Special instructions: Steady rain will cancel.Contact: Erin Christ - halfmoonbay@ports-ca.us or call (669)758-1819Follow us on:  Instagram or Facebook

Come spend the morning with resident and migratory birds of the park! On this 1 mile stroll, which will last approximately 1.5 hours, participants have the opportunity to observe, and listen to, a handful of bird species in the park. This program is recommended for 6 and up. Children must 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: The Forest of Nisene Marks State ParkMeet at: Georges Picnic Area/Winter GateTime: 9:00amParking: $8.00 park entrance fee per car.  Limited parking so please carpool.What to expect: Join us for a leisurely walk to the site where the town of Loma Prieta was located and the hidden spot deep in the redwood forest where marine fossils can be found. We will encounter the remains of the old lumber mill, follow the trail of the ghost trestles, and learn about the wonders of our giant redwoods and their survival.Length of hike: 4.5 miles, 3.5 hoursAges: Children 10 years or older.Preparation: Participants should wear sturdy shoes, and hat. Please bring water, snacks, and a layer since the forest can be chilly in the morning. Special instructions: Steady rain will cancel hike. No pets are allowed.Contact: Paul Karz - seacliff@ports-ca.us or call (831) 685-6444Reservation Link:  https://SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/nisenefirstday

Park Name: Wilder Ranch State ParkWhere: Backcountrytrails of Wilder RanchTime: 5.5 hoursParking: Main visitor parking lot. Vehicle day-use feeis $10.What to expect: 8-mile hike across varioustrails of the Wilder Ranch Backcountry area, through coastal prairie,grasslands, mixed forest.  The hikeascending about 1000 feet over a variety of trail surfaces; gravel, dirt, andsand, single track, fire roads, and some switchbacks.Length of hike: 8-mileloop, 1000 feet of elevation gainAges: 12 and upPreparation: Participants should wear sturdy closetoed shoes have sun and rain layers, bring 1-1.5 liters of water & a lunchSpecial instructions: Pre-registration for the hike is required here. Day of rain will cancel, as will rain of more than 1/2 inch the day prior.Contact: wilderranch@ports-ca.us

Join a Big Basin Docent and plant enthusiast for a first day hike at Big Basin starting at 9:30am from the temporary Visitor Center. This hike will be a little over four miles in length with a steady climb up to the Ocean View Summit. Please allow at least 3 hours for this outing. Bring plenty of water, snacks, layers and binoculars (optional).

Park: Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State ParkWhere: 305 Higgins Canyon Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019Time: 10 amParking: Free parking in parking lot off of Higgins Canyon RoadWhat to expect: 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 gain in elevation. Along the way you will learn about the lives of early pioneers and farming families who first settled here in the 19th century.  Enjoy one of our area’s hidden treasures.Length of hike: 2.5 milesAges: All ages welcomed. Preparation:  Participants should wear sturdy shoes and a hat, bring water & snacks. Feel free to bring binoculars or a camera if you have them. Special instructions: Steady rain will cancel – to confirm, call Contact: Elexis Padrón - halfmoonbay@ports-ca.us or call (669) 758-1819Follow us on:  Instagram or Facebook

Park: Montara State BeachWhere:  Gray Whale Cove TrailTime:   10 am Parking: Free parking in Gray Whale Cove State Beach parking lot off of Hwy 1 located here.What to expect: Join State Park Docents for a two-hour hike along the scenic Gray Whale Cove Trail at Montara State Beach.  Enjoy a moderate 2 mile hike overlooking the California coast.  From the trail you will be able to view evidence in the landscape of the Ocean Shore Railroad and bunkers left over from the World War II era. Enjoy the ocean views, the coastal plants, and the birds on this exciting hike. Meet on the north side of the Gray Whale Cove State Beach parking lot on Highway 1.Length of hike: 2 milesAges: All ages welcomed. Preparation: Participants should wear sturdy shoes and a hat, bring water & snacks, and bring binoculars if they have them. Special instructions: Steady rain will cancel.Contact:  Elexis Padrón - halfmoonbay@ports-ca.us or call (669)758-1819Follow us on:  Instagram or Facebook

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