The Big Sur River running through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Photo courtesy of California State Parks.
SACRAMENTO — California State Parks and partners will be celebrating the fifth annual California State Parks Week with special events at state parks throughout the Santa Cruz/Monterey region beginning Wednesday, June 10. Presented by California State Parks, California State Parks Foundation, Parks California and Save the Redwoods League, this exciting celebration will feature special programs and activities highlighting the incredible diversity of the nation’s largest state park system.
WHAT: Fifth Annual California State Parks Week
WHEN: Wednesday, June 10 to Sunday, June 14
SPOTLIGHT EVENT IN SANTA CRUZ/MONTEREY: The fifth annual celebration includes five spotlight events over five days that highlight the unmatched diversity of California’s state parks. In Santa Cruz/Monterey, the spotlight event will be Friday, June 12 at Big Basin Redwoods State Park—Resilient Redwoods Rendezvous, with one-hour guided walks at 1 and 2 p.m. focused on the extraordinary resilience of coast redwoods, 95% of which survived the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. Visitors can also connect with partner organizations at an on-site fair to learn how they are restoring and reimaging the park post-fire and find ways to get involved in the park’s future. This event begins at 12 p.m. RSVP to Newsroom@parks.ca.gov.
OTHER SANTA CRUZ/MONTEREY EVENTS:
Wednesday, June 10
Volunteer Day at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Join us for a morning of removing invasive grasses from the beautiful Carmelo Meadow at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Learn about grassland restoration, invasive species management, and the history of volunteer work at the Reserve.
Exploring Whalers Cove at Point Lobos (VIRTUAL): Join us on Instagram live from the water and experience the beauty of Point Lobos in a whole new way. Paddle along as we kayak in Whalers Cove, exploring this stunning marine sanctuary. From towering kelp forests to seabirds and curious harbor seals, you never know what wildlife might appear. We’ll also take a closer look at the unique geology and how humans have influenced the Reserve.
Big Sur River Gorge Exploration at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Be prepared to get wet in this 1.5-hour river exploration hike up to the Big Sur Gorge swimming hole. Wear clothing that can get wet and old tennis shoes or water shoes that strap onto your foot. We will be crossing the river several times, in sometimes knee-to-waist deep water and climbing over rocks in this 1-mile hike.
Campfire Program at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Discover how redwoods are adapting to climate change. Learn how we can all make a difference to the survival of redwoods and other species by getting involved in your community. Wear warm clothes and bring a flashlight and S’mores fixings if you would like to roast them after the show.
Art and Literature of Monterey State Historic Park: Join State Parks staff for a walk around Monterey at 12:30 p.m. to view some of our collection’s best works of early 20th century Impressionist art. Along the way, learn about the literary works of local and international authors who found inspiration in Monterey.
Plant Tunes at Half Moon Bay State Beach: Listen to music made by plants and create a unique piece of artwork inspired by the plant music! Meet at Francis Beach Campground’s amphitheater at 1 p.m. for this two-hour program, starting with a walk along the nature trail, with many stops to listen to what the plants have to say using a PlantWave device. Back at the amphitheater, you can use provided art supplies to create a unique piece to take home with you.
Thursday, June 11
Coastal Scrub Restoration Workday at Año Nuevo State Park: Help with an ongoing project to convert 30+ acres of invasive grassland back to a native coastal scrub habitat! Activities include brush cutting work, sheet mulching efforts, and invasive plant removal to prepare for planting native plants in the wet season.
Nature Journaling at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Do you enjoy activities that slow you down? Join us for a mindful, art-infused activity and visit some of the park’s oldest redwoods for some nature journaling. Take a short hike and see how the redwoods and Big Sur River are resilient in the face of climate change. Art supplies will be provided for this one-hour program.
Discovering Monterey State Historic Park’s Hidden Gems: Explore the historic gardens of Monterey State Historic Park like never before. This is an easy walk through an urban environment.
Shipwrecks of Monterey: Exhibit Opening and Reception at Monterey State Historic Park: Celebrate the opening of a new exhibit in Casa Gutierrez Community Art Gallery: “Shipwrecks of Monterey”. Visitors will enjoy light refreshments, a talk by museum staff and exhibit contributors, and an evening honoring the dynamic history of shipwrecks in Monterey Bay.
Natural Resources Volunteer Day at Andrew Molera State Park: Join us for a morning of removing invasive mustard, hemlock and thistles from the beautiful Creamery Meadow at Andrew Molera State Park. This event involves a 1-mile flat hike to the project site (2-mile round trip).
Friday, June 12
Cypress Grove Nature Walk at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve: Join a guided walk around Cypress Grove Trail. Look out for marine mammals, shore birds, and other wildlife while appreciating the lush plant life and stunning scenery. Learn how sea otters have come and gone from the Central Coast, and how deep marine canyons support the animals you see on the surface.
Buzzard’s Roost Trail Challenge at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park: Connect with nature while you exercise mind and body. This 2.5-hour hike will include a moderate/strenuous climb through the redwoods to sweeping valley and ocean views. Get your steps in for the day and climb 750 feet in elevation on this 3.5-mile round-trip trail.
Casa Gutierrez Community Art Gallery Shipwreck Exhibit at Monterey State Historic Park: Don’t miss this unique seasonal exhibit celebrating shipwreck-inspired art and artifacts.
Art and Literature of Monterey State Historic Park: Join State Parks staff for a walk around Monterey at 12:30 p.m. to view some of our collection’s best works of early 20th century Impressionist art. Along the way learn about the literary works of local and international authors who found inspiration in Monterey.
Volunteer Day at Asilomar State Beach: Plant native plants, remove invasive plants, fence endangered plant species, and more at this volunteer event. By supporting our native dunes habitat, we are working to prevent worsening coastal erosion, providing habitat for native fauna, and preserving Asilomar’s natural beauty for our future use and enjoyment as a “refuge by the sea.”
Saturday, June 13
Natural Resources Volunteer Day at Carmel River State Beach: Join us for a morning removing invasive wild mustard, radish, and ice plant from the bluffs of beautiful Carmel River State Beach. This project is part of our larger restoration efforts to support the endangered Smiths Blue Butterfly.
Ocean Fest at Seacliff State Beach: Come “shell-ebrate” all things aquatic at Seacliff State Beach with ocean-themed art vendors and ocean conservation organizations’ booths, kids’ activities, live music from The Cement Ship band, local food trucks, and an octopus’s beer garden.
Celebrate Indigenous Communities at Andrew Molera State Park: Discover the lesser-known cultural history of Andrew Molera State Park. Drop in to hear Indigenous perspectives and experiences and celebrate the Indigenous Peoples who have stewarded this land for thousands of years. Come and learn from the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County and Ka Koon Ta Ruk Band of Ohlone-Costanoan Indians of the Big Sur Rancheria. There will be tribal presentations and hands-on cultural activities.
Community Craft Day with a Historical Twist at Monterey State Historic Park: Led by State Parks staff, visitors will learn about the history of California through hands-on crafts. Each craft will yield an item that guests can take home to memorialize their visit to Monterey State Historic Park.
Casa Gutierrez Community Gallery Shipwreck Exhibit at Monterey State Historic Park: Don’t miss this unique seasonal exhibit celebrating shipwreck-inspired art and artifacts.
Discovering Monterey State Historic Park’s Hidden Gems: Explore the historic gardens of Monterey State Historic Park like never before. This is an easy walk through an urban environment.
Perk Up in the Park at Asilomar State Beach: Drop by Asilomar State Beach for a warm drink and friendly conversation. We will provide hot beverages and answers to questions about the park and California State Parks in general.
Sing-a-long at Asilomar State Beach: Learn the historic camp songs of Asilomar originally written by the YWCA women and girls who spent their summers here. Enjoy refreshments and s’mores on the Social Hall patio while State Parks staff lead you on a musical journey through the 1910s-30s.
Sunday, June 14
Advice from Nature at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area: Join us for a morning hike in Hollister Hills. Listen carefully to nature, and you will learn that it has an abundance of advice to enrich your life.
Beach Cleanup at Andrew Molera State Park: Join us to help clean up the trail and beach and restore natural beach/dune habitat. Materials will be available onsite, although if you have your own gloves, bucket, and trash-grabber, please bring them. Don’t forget sun protection and wear closed-toed shoes and layers as it may be windy.
Art and Literature of Monterey State Historic Park: Join State Parks staff for a walk around Monterey at 12:30 p.m. to view some of our collection’s best works of early 20th century Impressionist art. Along the way learn about the literary works of local and international authors who found inspiration in Monterey.
Castro Adobe Open House: Celebrate 175+ years of the Castro Adobe while enjoying traditional dance and music, craft activities, and tours of the only historical two story adobe building in Santa Cruz County.
Coastal Dune and Bluff Restoration Workday at Half Moon Bay State Beach: Help us remove invasive ice plant, purple ragwort, mustard, thistles and poison hemlock from coastal dune and scrub areas to help native species survive and thrive. We may also sheet mulch some restored areas to prepare for future native plantings.
Visit castateparksweek.org for a full list of the more than 170 events happening throughout the week.
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For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Newsroom@parks.ca.gov.
To access hi-res images, please visit the California State Parks Week newsroom.
Subscribe to California State Parks News online at parks.ca.gov/newsroom or click here.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.
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California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change, we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Parks California, created by the State of California to expand the reach and impact of its parks system, strengthens our public lands and inspires all people to experience these extraordinary places. As a public-private partner, we work alongside California State Parks, public lands agencies, tribal, community and nonprofit organizations to design solutions that make these spaces more inclusive, climate-resilient and sustainable. Together, we’re advancing a new partnership model that supports healthy communities and ecosystems to meet the needs of a changing California. Learn more: www.ParksCalifornia.org.
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| Save the Redwoods League revitalizes coast redwood and giant sequoia forests across California’s redwood range. In partnership with state and federal agencies, Tribes, and communities, we have conserved more than 220,000 acres in 76 parks and preserves and restored 37,000 acres. Our work bolsters carbon storage, strengthens wildfire resilience, benefits local economies, and safeguards iconic landscapes enjoyed by millions. For more information, visit SaveTheRedwoods.org. Facebook I LinkedIn I Instagram I YouTube I Blog I Threads |