What's New

Make your state parks adventures easier with a Golden Poppy Pass. Valid at all local state parks and beaches, this pass is available in the ParkStore Online.

SHOP

New bilingual interpretive panels have been installed at Seabright State Beach and the historic Castle Beach gate has been restored. Check them out next time you visit.

EXPLORE

Flash flooding at Wilder Ranch State Park damaged portions of the park’s historic dairy ranch. Your help is needed to support the short-term response and long-term recovery efforts.

DONATE

The Horse Camp at Rancho Del Oso Unit on the coast side of Big Basin is open for interim walk-in and bike-in, non-equestrian camping. Reservations required.

CAMP

Plan Your Visit

Our Mission, Our Passion

Our local parks and beaches: thriving and available to all!

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (Friends) is a vital partner with California State Parks, creatively working to ensure our cherished local parks and beaches are thriving and available to all. Friends’ innovative and collaborative community partnership provides support and investment for education, equity and inclusion, conservation, facilities improvements, historic preservation and cultural events.

I want to help!

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#thatsmypark

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Apr 16

Open
🤠The pom-pom on top of this hat has a history that dates back centuries. Originally, it was functional rather than decorative. Sailors often wore hats with pom-poms made of yarn that served a practical purpose of cushioning their heads from bumping the low-ceilinged cabins of ships. Seen here, the pom-pom also cushioned the sailor’s heads when carrying cargo like hides when loading ships at the embarcadero during the Rancho Period of California’s History. 👩‍👧‍👧Come to our Open House this Sunday, April 21st and discover how the Ranchos made their money from the hide and tallow trade. Be the first visitors to view our new interpretive displays while exploring the interior of this two-story adobe hacienda. Listen to live music while relaxing in our beautiful garden. Enjoy the famous Fandango room and learn about the Castro family and Vaquero culture. The park will be open for this event from 10:30am to 3:00pm, and is located at 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville. ✍️Registration for a free tour can be made at: www.SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse. 📞For more information, call (831) 226-9669. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. 📸Description: Sailors carrying hides on their heads to a ship. 📍 Aptos Tribal Land #CastroAdobe #CastroAdobeStateHistoricPark #ThatsMyPark #CAStateParks #RanchoPeriod

🤠The pom-pom on top of this hat has a history that dates back centuries. Originally, it was functional rather than decorative. Sailors often wore hats with pom-poms made of yarn that served a practical purpose of cushioning their heads from bumping the low-ceilinged cabins of ships. Seen here, the pom-pom also cushioned the sailor’s heads when carrying cargo like hides when loading ships at the embarcadero during the Rancho Period of California’s History.

👩‍👧‍👧Come to our Open House this Sunday, April 21st and discover how the Ranchos made their money from the hide and tallow trade. Be the first visitors to view our new interpretive displays while exploring the interior of this two-story adobe hacienda. Listen to live music while relaxing in our beautiful garden. Enjoy the famous Fandango room and learn about the Castro family and Vaquero culture. The park will be open for this event from 10:30am to 3:00pm, and is located at 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville.

✍️Registration for a free tour can be made at: www.SantaCruzStateParks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse.

📞For more information, call (831) 226-9669. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

📸Description: Sailors carrying hides on their heads to a ship.

📍 Aptos Tribal Land

#CastroAdobe #CastroAdobeStateHistoricPark #ThatsMyPark #CAStateParks #RanchoPeriod ...

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Apr 16

Open
In this fascinating field guide, author and UCSC student Maia Perry illuminates 24 species of lichen found on a single oak tree. If you're looking for a way to slow down and appreciate the complex hidden worlds in your neighborhood, backyard, or favorite State Park, this book is an excellent place to start. Available at all ParkStores and the ParkStore Online - link in our bio. #Thatsmypark #Thatsmybeach #OakTree #Lichen #Nature #Guide #Book #Merch #Parkstore #Wildlife

In this fascinating field guide, author and UCSC student Maia Perry illuminates 24 species of lichen found on a single oak tree. If you're looking for a way to slow down and appreciate the complex hidden worlds in your neighborhood, backyard, or favorite State Park, this book is an excellent place to start.

Available at all ParkStores and the ParkStore Online - link in our bio.

#Thatsmypark #Thatsmybeach #OakTree #Lichen #Nature #Guide #Book #Merch #Parkstore #Wildlife ...

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Apr 16

Open
🥾 Plan a trip to Big Basin Redwoods State Park this month and see how the park has recovered and regrown since the CZU Fire in 2020. Make a reservation to guarantee a parking spot for your visit. Reservations can be made by visiting the link in our bio. Parking fees stay local and support the park. @santacruzmountainsstateparks #Thatsmypark #Forest #Regrowth #Redwoods #StatePark #Hike #Spring #Recovery #Plants #Wildlife

🥾 Plan a trip to Big Basin Redwoods State Park this month and see how the park has recovered and regrown since the CZU Fire in 2020.

Make a reservation to guarantee a parking spot for your visit. Reservations can be made by visiting the link in our bio.

Parking fees stay local and support the park.

@santacruzmountainsstateparks
#Thatsmypark #Forest #Regrowth #Redwoods #StatePark #Hike #Spring #Recovery #Plants #Wildlife ...

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Apr 15

Open
Click the BOOK NOW link in our bio for seats on our Early AM Photo Tour & Marine Mammal Baby Tour this Saturday, April 20th. #otter #otters #otterlove #marinemammals #babyanimals #wildlife_photography #wildlife #wildlifetour #wildlife_shots #wildlifephotographers #amazinganimals #NatGeo #elkhornslough #elkhornsloughsafari #mosslanding #montereycalifornia #californiawildlife #santacruznow #thatsmypark #santacruzcounty #VisitCalifornia #sustainabletourism #seemonterey #earthlovers

Click the BOOK NOW link in our bio for seats on our Early AM Photo Tour & Marine Mammal Baby Tour this Saturday, April 20th.

#otter #otters #otterlove #marinemammals #babyanimals #wildlife_photography #wildlife #wildlifetour #wildlife_shots #wildlifephotographers #amazinganimals #NatGeo #elkhornslough #elkhornsloughsafari #mosslanding #montereycalifornia #californiawildlife #santacruznow #thatsmypark #santacruzcounty #VisitCalifornia #sustainabletourism #seemonterey #earthlovers ...

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Apr 15

Open
Here’s your Monday Morning Otter Shot. There’s at least 9 Sea Otters pups that can currently be seen out on the Elkhorn Slough! #seaottersofinstagram #seaotters #otters #marinemammals #babyanimals #wildlife_photography #wildlife #wildlifetour #wildlife_shots #wildlifephotographers #experienceoverthings #traveladventures #amazinganimals #NatGeo #sunsetmag #elkhornslough #sanjoselove #visitsanjose #mosslanding #montereycalifornia #californiawildlife #santacruznow #thatsmypark #santacruzcounty #montereybayaquarium #VisitCalifornia #santacruzlife #seemonterey #earthlovers #happyanimals

Here’s your Monday Morning Otter Shot. There’s at least 9 Sea Otters pups that can currently be seen out on the Elkhorn Slough!

#seaottersofinstagram #seaotters #otters #marinemammals #babyanimals #wildlife_photography #wildlife #wildlifetour #wildlife_shots #wildlifephotographers #experienceoverthings #traveladventures #amazinganimals #NatGeo #sunsetmag #elkhornslough #sanjoselove #visitsanjose #mosslanding #montereycalifornia #californiawildlife #santacruznow #thatsmypark #santacruzcounty #montereybayaquarium #VisitCalifornia #santacruzlife #seemonterey #earthlovers #happyanimals ...

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