What Do You Want to Do?
Our diverse parks and beaches have something for everyone. Find your next adventure!
Visit Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Many trails are open! Come enjoy Big Basin. Make a reservation to visit.
Shop Wilder Ranch Merch
Support the flood recovery efforts at Wilder Ranch State Park when you shop online
Castro Adobe Open House Tours
Visit Castro Adobe State Historic Park during a monthly open house event.
What's New
Visit one of our 32 local state parks and beaches in Santa Cruz County and coastal San Mateo County.
EXPLORE
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
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks supports the Santa Cruz County Water & Wildfire Protection Act. Vote YES to keep our beautiful parks, beaches and forests protected and safe from natural disasters.
SUPPORT
CA State Parks and Friends invite the public to a community workshop to share information about the future of Seacliff and New Brighton state beaches
MORE INFORMATIONPlan 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.
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👻A sign from the past or just a trick of the light?🧙♂️
✨ This incredible moment was captured at the Castro Adobe. While admiring the view through the window, we noticed something surreal, either a reflection or perhaps a glimpse into the past. There, clear as day, was the image of a vaquero, almost as if history itself was peeking back at us. 🏞👀
Upon further investigation we discovered that it was actually a reflection of Cisco Jim who was serenading guests on his horse at our last Open House.
🌿💐 Visit our next open house on Saturday, September 21 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm to see the Santa Cruz Textile Art Guild demonstrate the weaving and dyeing skills that were used in early California. You will hear live music by the Poet Laurate of Watsonville, Bob Gomez and his wife Denise while viewing our newly installed interpretive displays.
✏Reservations for a free self-guided tour are recommended at: www.santacruzstateparks.as.me/CastroAdobeOpenHouse
Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. For more information call (831) 226-9669
📌 Aptos Tribe of the Ohlone People
📷Photos: Image of a vaquero reflecting in a Castro Adobe window
#CastroAdobe #CastroAdobeStateHistoricPark #ThatsMyPark #CAStateParks #Vaqueros #CaliforniaHistory #WesternCulture #Legacy #Heritage #CaliforniaHistory #RanchoEra #CulturalHeritage #HistoricalTreasures Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks
#RanchoPeriod #CaliforniaHistory #NaturalDyes #HeritageCrafts #DriedFlowers
Celebrate California Biodiversity Week with a 2.5-mile family friendly walk and bioblitz at Wilder Ranch State Park. During this walk, you will take photos of the diverse flora and fauna along the trail and upload them to iNaturalist, so scientists can study the biodiversity of the California Coast. Join the guided walk beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The group meets in the main parking lot of Wilder Ranch. To register, visit the link in our bio. Bring water, a hat, closed toe shoes, layered clothing, and binoculars if available. If you plan on participating in the bioblitz, remember to bring your smartphone with the iNaturalist app installed as well.
The event is free to attend. Parking is $10 and helps Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks support the park.
@santacruzmountainsstateparks
#Thatsmypark #Bioblitz #Hike #GuidedWalk #Coast #Landscape #Wildlife #Nature #CaliforniaCoast
Santa Cruz County! Join us for the Seacliff Resilience Community Workshop to talk about the future of Seacliff and New Brighton state beaches, which were badly damaged by historic storms in early 2023.
Get an update from the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Alternatives Study, and learn about coastal processes, sea level rise, vulnerability, strategies for adaptation, and funding sources. There will be opportunities to share feedback on possible adaptations.
The workshop will be on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court in Aptos. Learn more at https://www.seacliffresilience.org/
friendsofscstateparks
#thatsmypark
#seacliffresilience
Friends was proud to attend the annual 9-11 Stair Climb at @seacliffstatebeach this Wednesday.
Organized by the Professional Firefighters of Santa Cruz County Local 3535, current and retired first responders paid tribute by climbing the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center - that’s 13 times up the Seacliff stairs, for anyone who wants to try.
We’re grateful to be one of the organizations benefiting from donations from this solemn event including, the Fallen Officers Foundation, San Jose Burn Foundation, and the Santa Cruz State Junior Lifeguard Program. 🤍
#thatsmypark #neverforget911 #seacliffstatebeach
Ready to roll into the weekend on two wheels but don't know where to start? We've got you covered with this list of state parks and state beaches that are perfect for all levels of cyclists - check the link in our bio.
@santacruzmountainsstateparks
#thatsmypark #Biking #Cycling #MountainBiking #Trails #Nature #StateParks
Sunset State Beach is calling. Bring a book or go for a walk to enjoy miles and miles of solitude at this tranquil spot.
Parking is $10 and helps Friends support parks.
@santacruzstatebeaches
#Thatsmybeach #Thatsmypark #Tranquility #Reading #Relaxation #beach #Ocean #Waves #Water #Nature