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 There's always something happening at Santa Cruz State Parks. We update our website often, so please check back for upcoming news.
News
10/31/08 - OCTOBER ACTIVITIES 2008-
WELCOME BACK MONARCHS DAY
Sunday, October 12,
10:00AM to 4:00PM
at
NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH
October's festivities are often dressed in orange and black, but Santa Cruzan's know its not just for halloween. Orange and black are also the colors of winged monarch butterflies returning here to overwinter along our coast. Its a Santa Cruz tradition as friends and famies gather at Natural Bridges State Beach on Welcome Back Monarchs Day for a joyful, monarch-filled event on Sunday, October 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Park visitors can participate in numerous activities including arts & crafts, active games for kids, music by the 5M’s (the mostly mediocre musical monarch mariposas), feasting on hand-cranked ‘monarch’ ice cream (okay, its really pumpkin), along with information and action booths including how-to’s for creating a successful butterfly garden. Kids and adults are encouraged to dress in orange and black and get very creative in dressing up for the monarch parade! Don't forget to meet and greet the guests of honor: the monarchs themselves! The park is located at the end of West Cliff Drive at the north end of Santa Cruz. More information is available at (831) 423-4609.
Tours of the Monarch Grove- Begin October 18
Saturdays & Sundays at 11:00 & 2:00
Join a Docent Naturalist for a tour of the state designated insect preserve at Natural Bridges State Beach. Thousands of Monarch Butterflies are returning this fall to one of the larger over wintering sites in the United States. Learn the story of this beautiful creature and its fascinating seasonal migration. Public tours are offered on weekends and no reservations are necessary, or you may call 423-4609 to arrange a tour for a group of 10 or more. Meet at the Visitor Center for the hour-long program. The walk is wheelchair accessible.
Co-sponsored by California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
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A Special Event Announcement!
Heritage Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 25
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wilder Ranch State Park
Celebrate harvest time the old-fashioned way at Wilder Ranch State Park’s Heritage Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Choose and decorate a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, take a wagon ride, watch draft horse, antique tractor, and living history demonstrations, try your hand at some old-time harvest activities, listen to live bluegrass and western music, learn to square dance, play cow pie bingo, enjoy hand-cranked pumpkin ice cream, harvest goodies, and more. Admission to the event is free; parking is $6.00 per car. Wilder Ranch is located 2 miles north of Santa Cruz, on Highway 1. For more information, call (831) 426-0505.
Co-sponsored by California State Parks and the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
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A Special Event Announcement!
The Missing Arm of William Waddell!
Saturday, October 25
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Registration begins at 6:30PM
SPECIAL EVENT: “The Missing Arm of William Waddell”
Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Experience the haunted tale of Big Basin’s last lumber mill owner and his fateful encounter with a grizzly bear! Celebrate the forest in autumn with this spooky and slightly silly half-mile theatrical guided walk through the redwoods at night. Ranger apples cooked around the campfire rounds out this festive family event. The trail is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Parking is $6.00 per vehicle. Bring a flashlight.
Co-sponsored by California State Parks and Mountain Parks Foundation
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october activities at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Located 9 miles outside of Boulder Creek on Hwy 236 (831) 338-8861
Redwood Loop Walk
Every Friday in October at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Every Saturday and Sunday in October at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
(except no walks on Saturday, October 25)
How do these grand redwoods grow to be so old? So tall? How are they important to humans? Join us for this fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. Meet the famous Mother Tree, the Father of the Forest and the incredible Chimney Tree on this one-hour walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Twilight Hike
Every Saturday in October at 7:00 p.m. (except October 25)
Join us for an easy, level walk for the whole family. Experience the turning of the day into night in the forest, and learn about the critters that are just becoming active as the sun goes down. Fire lighting and marshmallows at 7:00 p.m.; program begins at 7:30 p.m. Wheelchair/stroller accessible. Bring a flashlight. Sorry, no dogs on the trail.
Coffee Talk
Saturday, October 4 from 9:00-12:00
Saturday, October 11 from 9:00-12:00
Saturday, October 18 from 9:00-12:00
Come to the Sempervirens Room next to Park Headquarters for free coffee or hot chocolate! This is a great way to start your day in Big Basin. Tom Rohlf, a Big Basin docent, will be happy to answer questions about the park and help get you going on the right trail.
The Road Less Traveled
Sunday, October 5 at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 12 at 10:00 a.m.
On this dog-friendly walk, we travel on North Escape Road, a paved road closed to traffic. We tour stunning old-growth redwood groves along beautiful Opal Creek. We'll discuss redwood ecology and park history while exploring the deep shade of the redwood forest. This is a fun, easy, three-mile roundtrip walk with docent Micki Downs and her dog Spock. Bring water and meet at Headquarters.
Ocean View Summit Hike
Saturday, October 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Join docent David Auerbach on this fascinating exploration through a variety of habitats. This is one of our most diverse hikes—you travel by a mountain stream, through oak woodlands, into chaparral and back to the redwoods. You’ll discuss forests, flowers and fires on a six-mile, four-hour hike. This somewhat strenuous ascent is rewarded with ocean views on a clear day. Bring water, lunch and good hiking shoes. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Wildflower Walk!
Saturday, October 18 at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m.
Join docent Scott Peden to learn to identify the companion plants of the redwood forest. This is a wonderful way to enjoy the season in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Bring along a field guide if you have one. Saturday’s walk is a four-mile, four-hour walk. Sunday’s walk is a five-mile, five-hour walk. Bring water, lunch and good hiking shoes. Meet at Park Headquarters.
North Escape Stroll
Saturday, October 18 at 12:30 p.m.
This is a dog-friendly stroll along our beautiful North Escape Road where you’ll experience the forest through touch, smell and sound. Discover the amazing acorn granaries, the fragrant Douglas-firs and the grand redwoods. Learn about the different elements that create a redwood forest. This ¾-mile stroll with docent Oscar Medina will take about an hour. Meet at Park Headquarters.
Co-Sponsored by California State Parks and Mountain Parks Foundation
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OCTOBER ACTIVITIES AT HENRY COWELL REDWOODS STATE PARK
Main entrance located two miles South of Felton on Highway 9 (831) 335-7077
Weekend Guided Walks of the Old-Growth Redwood Grove
Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM
Meet at the Visitor Center
Meet a docent at the visitor center at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for a guided tour of the 1-mile redwood loop. Come refresh your spirit among 1,000 year old redwood giants as you learn about the ecology and history of the redwood forest.
The Intriguing World of Bats
Saturday, October 4 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Learn about the incredible role bats play in our local forests. See live, tame, bats up close during this dynamic presentation. Monique Lee, local bat educator, will deepen your understanding of bats as she introduces you to their fascinating world. Bring your curiosity to the park and be prepared to learn the answers to all of your bat questions!
Co-Sponsored by California State Parks and Mountain Parks Foundation
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OCTOBER ACTIVITIES AT WILDER RANCH STATE PARK
Located two miles north of Santa Cruz, on Highway 1 (831) 426-0505
The History of Wilder Ranch: A tour of the Historic Ranch Buildings
All Saturdays and Sundays in OCTOBER at 1:00 PM
Discover what life was like a century or more ago on this innovative dairy ranch. The hour-long tour includes the newly renovated 1850’s Gothic Revival Meder house, the 1897 Victorian home, 1896 water-powered machine shop, and other historic buildings.
Living History Demonstrations: Some Saturdays and Sunday s from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
History comes alive at Wilder Ranch State Park on many weekends. Come for a picnic and you will find old-fashioned lawn games, and perhaps a blacksmith working in the shop, quilting demonstrations, and cooking in the Victorian. On October 12 and 19, learn about hand quilting with master quilter Carolyn Miller. Call (831) 426-0505 for other days and activities.
History, Nature, and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Ranch Area
Saturday, October 11 at 9:00 AM
This challenging guided three-hour hike will explore the natural and cultural history of the upper hills of Wilder Ranch State Park. Meet at the Wilder Ranch interpretive center. Bring good walking shoes, lunch, snacks, and water. Hike is canceled if rain.
Wilder Ranch Coast Nature Walks: Saturdays, October 4, 18, and 25 at 11:00 AM
On these two-hour natural history excursions you will explore the plants, animals, and geology of the spectacular coastal bluffs. Meet at the Wilder Ranch interpretive center. Bring a snack, water, binoculars, and good walking shoes. Binoculars are available to borrow. Walk is canceled if rain.
Co-sponsored by California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
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OCTOBER ACTIVITIES AT NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH
Located at the end of West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz (831) 423-4609
Tours of the Monarch Grove- Begin October 18
Saturdays & Sundays at 11:00 & 2:00
Join a Docent Naturalist for a tour of a state designated insect preserve. Thousands of Monarch Butterflies are returning this fall to one of the larger over wintering sites in the United States. Learn the story of this beautiful creature and its fascinating seasonal migration. Public tours are offered on weekends and no reservations are necessary, or you may call 423-4609 to arrange a tour for a group of 10 or more. Meet at the Visitor Center for the hour-long program. The walk is wheelchair accessible.
Docent Training is September 20 to October 18 for those who would like to learn and share about this special habitat!
Natural Bridges State Beach, located at the end of West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, is looking for community members who would like to volunteer to lead Monarch Butterfly Tours. Docent training is is filled with interesting classes and hikes with emphasis on the Monarch Butterfly Preserve the knowledge and skills you’ll use to lead programs for the public and school groups. We gather on Wednesday Evenings and Saturdays. After completing training, volunteer park naturalists greet visitors in the Visitor Center as well as out in the Butterfly Preserve and provide interpretation and guided walks throughout the fall and winter. Call the docent coordinator at (831) 423-4609 for an information packet and to sign up. Join a community of volunteers who share about the monarchs and other special park features to thousands of visitors, families, and schoolchildren each year!
Park Restoration Parties— All Sundays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Your help is needed with Park Restoration! We meet every Sunday from 3-5 pm. Projects vary with the weather. As a team it is enjoyable to weed, water, or plant, while knowing that your efforts are helping protect the park's plants and wildlife.
Co-sponsored by California State Parks and the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
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10/25/08 - Heritage Harvest Festival at Wilder Ranch
HERITAGE HARVEST FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 25, 2008
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
at
Wilder Ranch State Park
Celebrate an old-fashioned autumn at Wilder Ranch State Park’s Heritage Harvest Festival. Enjoy live old-time music, square dancing, living history demonstrations, children’s craft area, harvest activities, wagon rides, hand-cranked pumpkin ice cream, antique tractor and draft horse demonstrations, cow-pie bingo, a pumpkin patch, and more. Wilder Ranch is located 2 miles north of Santa Cruz, on Highway 1. Admission is free; parking is $6.00 per car. For more information, call (831) 426-0505.
10/25/08 - The Missing Arm of William Waddell at Big Basin
Registration begins at 6:30 pm with walks beginning every 10 min.
Celebrate the forest in autumn with this spooky and slightly silly one-half-mile theatrical guided walk through the redwoods at night. Experience the haunted tale of Big Basin’s last lumber mill owner and his fateful encounter with a grizzly bear! Storytelling, and ranger apples cooked around the campfire round out this festive family event. The trail is stroller accessible. Bring a flashlight, arrive early to sign up for your walk--registration begins at 6:30 PM. Parking is $6.00 per vehicle. Rain moves the event indoors
10/12/08 - Welcome Back Monarchs Day at Natural Bridges
WELCOME BACK MONARCHS DAY
Sunday, October 12,
10:00AM to 4:00PM
at
NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH
Join us for this joyful, monarch-filled day and welcome the monarchs back to this park, their over-wintering habitat. Participate in numerous activities including arts & crafts, active games for kids, music by the 5M’s (the mostly mediocre musical monarch mariposas), hand-cranked ‘monarch’ ice cream (pumpkin), information and action booths as well as more about monarch butterflies and how-top’s for a butterfly garden. The park is located at the end of West Cliff Drive at the north end of Santa Cruz. For more information, please call (831)423-4609.
09/01/08 - For Teachers - Sign up now for Ranch Kids Days
Wilder Ranch State Park
Environmental Studies Program (ESP)
Ranch Kids Day: Travel back in time with your 3rd grade class to the early 1900s to find out what it would be like to live on a dairy farm. Today’s students learn how to live in the past while they participate in the many chores that they would need to know for their survival on the farm.
The program at Wilder Ranch follows the curriculum guidelines set by the State of California. The program is designed for third grade level children. We offer a unique hands-on interpretive living history program. During the ESP, students in period dress assume the lives and activities of the past. They learn to survive through participating in hands-on activities just like the people of the dairy farm did one hundred years ago. The activities may include: wagon rides, preparing period meals, working in the blacksmith shop, old-fashioned laundry techniques, animal care, gardening, old-fashioned games & crafts, calligraphy, journals, microscope, music, stories, and nature walk.
Schedule
The program is held on the first and third Friday of each month; September through November and March through the first week in June.
Two schedules are currently available.
Ranch Kids Day 9:30 AM-1:30 PM
Extended Ranch Kids Day 9:30 AM-5:00 PM (Requires Teacher Workshop)
Cost
Ranch Kids Day $200/class, $400/day
Extended Ranch Kids Day $250/class, $500/day
A $50 non-refundable commitment deposit is due at the time of the reservation.
If you are requesting reservations for two classes from the same school on the same day, you must fill out two separate applications with two deposits in one envelope.
Attendance Maximum
There is a maximum of 40 students and 16 adults for the program. Parent involvement is required for a successful program.
Reservation Procedure
Reservations for the Ranch Kids Day program are on a first come first serve basis which is determined by the post mark date on your return envelope. Reservations begin on August 1st every year. Please call Wilder Ranch to request a application packet at 831-426-0505.
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