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Our diverse parks and beaches have something for everyone. Find your next adventure!
What's New
State Parks events like guided hikes and Junior Rangers are back - preregistration is required. Sign up today!
VISIT
Beach wheelchairs are available for use at eight state beaches in Santa Cruz County. Reserve one for free!
ACCESS
State Parks is working on projects to support monarch habitat at Natural Bridges and Lighthouse Field.
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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.
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"Summertime is always the best of what might be." - Charles Bowden
Happy Summer Solstice!
#Summertime #Summer #happy #thatsmybeach #thatsmypark #fun #santacruz
Even though monarch butterflies 🦋 only migrate to our sanctuary in the fall/winter, restoration efforts are taking place year round!
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Interpreter Martha is seen here pulling invasive thistle and poison hemlock, making way for native pollinator flowers to take root. Martha & volunteers planted the cypress trees in the background many years ago when they were just saplings, knowing that their wind-blocking shelter would be needed for the future generations of monarch butterflies. And look how tall they've grown!
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Anyone who has spent a sweaty afternoon pulling weeds knows that stewardship can often feel like a drop in a bucket. But the efforts are worth it in the long run.
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We are so grateful to all the school groups, restoration crews, interns and volunteers who help take care of this important monarch overwintering site. The strides we make for the monarchs are made together. 🙏🏼
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#NaturalBridges #NaturalBridgesStateBeach #ThatsMyPark #SantaCruz #MontereyBay #ProtectWhatYouLove #SaveThePollinators #MonarchButterfly #Restoration #NativePlants #InvasiveSpecies #TogetherWeCan #Community 📍 Uypi land
Guided hikes and Junior Rangers are back at @portolaredwoods_sp starting this weekend! 🌲
Details: Remember to sign up at the Visitor Center first. Spaces are limited. All participants must wear face coverings until expressly stated otherwise. Do not attend programs if experiencing any symptoms.
#stateparks #portolaredwoodsp #guidedhikes #parkevents #redwoods #sanmateohikes #thatsmypark
Fort Point has stood guard at the narrows of the Golden Gate for over 150 years.
The Fort has been called "the pride of the Pacific," "the Gibraltar of the West Coast," and "one of the most perfect models of masonry in America." When construction began during the height of the California Gold Rush, Fort Point was planned as the most formidable deterrence America could offer to a naval attack on California.
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This gorgeous piece of history is managed by nationalparkservice and goldengatenps .
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Parking and entry are free. Visit Thursday through Monday 10am-5pm (roof access closes at 4:30pm).
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#thatsmypark #goldengaterwcreation #nationalparks #goldengatebridge #goldengate #sfbucketlist #onlysf #sanfrancisco #sanfrancity #ourgateisopen #downbythebay #goldengatenationalrecreationarea #freesanfrancisco #sffree #nps #nationalpark
"Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence." - Hal Borland #thatsmypark #nature #redwoods #fallcreek #trees
#ThrowbackThursday It's been 15 years since we launched the iconic That's My Park images featuring local state parks and beaches. The illustrations by artist Michael Schwab are a creative way to bring to life the mission of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks: to ensure our cherished local parks and beaches are thriving and available to all. Which one is your favorite? Comment below! 😄
#wilderranch #nisenemarks #SCMissionAdobe #CastroAdobe #Seacliff #NaturalBridges #iconic #santacruz #thatsmypark