What's New

Beach wheelchairs are available for use at eight state beaches in Santa Cruz County. Reserve one for free!

ACCESS

Registration for Kids2Parks, an innovative park-equity program offering State Parks field trips to Title 1 schools, is open now through April 30. Apply now!

VISIT

State Parks campgrounds have reopened for reservations and walk-up camping. Plan your visit!

CAMP

Support wildfire recovery in Big Basin, Butano, Fall Creek and Año Nuevo state parks.

SUPPORT

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.

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#thatsmypark

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Apr 10

Open
Sea stars are extraordinary organisms that can be found in tide pools. If we are lucky enough, we might spot one! They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are bright pink with 5 legs and others can be purple and have up to 50 legs, woah!! Not only do they look cool, but they also play an important role in maintaining the biodiversity of tide pools. They help balance the mussel population in the intertidal zone by eating them, which allows space for other organisms to thrive! ⭐ . When we are out in the tide pools, let’s be respectful of the sea stars that have made their home there. Pulling them off the rocks can be detrimental to their survival and the health of the intertidal zone. Take some awesome photos of them but leave them be! . . . . . #NationalWildlifeWeek #RecreateResponsibly #RespectWildlife #ProtectWhatYouLove #Wildlife #WilderRanch #SeaStar #Starfish #WilderRanchStatePark #ThatsMyPark #CAStateParks #Intertidal #TidePools #OceanConservation #MarineProtectedArea #YayMPAs castateparks mpacollaborativenetwork📍Uypi land

Sea stars are extraordinary organisms that can be found in tide pools. If we are lucky enough, we might spot one! They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are bright pink with 5 legs and others can be purple and have up to 50 legs, woah!! Not only do they look cool, but they also play an important role in maintaining the biodiversity of tide pools. They help balance the mussel population in the intertidal zone by eating them, which allows space for other organisms to thrive! ⭐
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When we are out in the tide pools, let’s be respectful of the sea stars that have made their home there. Pulling them off the rocks can be detrimental to their survival and the health of the intertidal zone. Take some awesome photos of them but leave them be!
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#NationalWildlifeWeek #RecreateResponsibly #RespectWildlife #ProtectWhatYouLove #Wildlife #WilderRanch #SeaStar #Starfish #WilderRanchStatePark #ThatsMyPark #CAStateParks #Intertidal #TidePools #OceanConservation #MarineProtectedArea #YayMPAs castateparks mpacollaborativenetwork📍Uypi land ...

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Apr 10

Open
A late afternoon walk at Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz yesterday Have I ever mentioned how much I love CA State Parks? 😍 #workinparks #parkslife #jobperks #santacruz #wilderranch #thatsmypark #castateparks

A late afternoon walk at Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz yesterday Have I ever mentioned how much I love CA State Parks? 😍 #workinparks #parkslife #jobperks #santacruz #wilderranch #thatsmypark #castateparks ...

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Apr 9

Open
Quick ice cream 🍨 stop on the way to the beach 🏖! Photo 📷 lewilson.537 Ice Cream 🍦 mariannesicecream Location 📍 seacliffstatebeach #letscruzsafely #visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #seacliffstatebeach #seacliff #thatsmypark #aptos #icecream #mariannesicecream #classicsantacruz #springbreak #spring #vacationmode

Quick ice cream 🍨 stop on the way to the beach 🏖!
Photo 📷 lewilson.537
Ice Cream 🍦 mariannesicecream
Location 📍 seacliffstatebeach
#letscruzsafely #visitsantacruz #santacruz #santacruzcounty #seacliffstatebeach #seacliff #thatsmypark #aptos #icecream #mariannesicecream #classicsantacruz #springbreak #spring #vacationmode ...

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Apr 9

Open
Their hypnotic red-ringed yellow eyes and bright orange-red beak encourage curiosity by anyone exploring California’s coast. These shorebirds enjoy snacking on shellfish found among the rocky intertidal zone at #WilderRanch and are able to break open those tough shells by smashing, jabbing, and prying it open until the soft tasty meat is exposed. . Black oystercatchers lay their eggs on the rocks just above the high-tide line on rocky shores, which means they are sensitive to beach explorers. If you find yourself near the rocky beach while exploring or tide pooling, keep an eye out for these amazing creatures and do your part to protect their homes and by respecting their space. Listen for their distinctive “wheep” call and back away if they are looking at you. . 📸: David Ledig, BLM . . . . . #NationalWildlifeWeek #RecreateResponsibly #RespectWildlife #ProtectWhatYouLove #Wildlife #WilderRanchStatePark #ThatsMyPark #CAStateParks #SeaBirds #OysterCatcher #OceanConservation #MarineProtectedAreas castateparks mpacollaborativenetwork📍Uypi land

Their hypnotic red-ringed yellow eyes and bright orange-red beak encourage curiosity by anyone exploring California’s coast. These shorebirds enjoy snacking on shellfish found among the rocky intertidal zone at #WilderRanch and are able to break open those tough shells by smashing, jabbing, and prying it open until the soft tasty meat is exposed.
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Black oystercatchers lay their eggs on the rocks just above the high-tide line on rocky shores, which means they are sensitive to beach explorers. If you find yourself near the rocky beach while exploring or tide pooling, keep an eye out for these amazing creatures and do your part to protect their homes and by respecting their space. Listen for their distinctive “wheep” call and back away if they are looking at you.
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📸: David Ledig, BLM
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#NationalWildlifeWeek #RecreateResponsibly #RespectWildlife #ProtectWhatYouLove #Wildlife #WilderRanchStatePark #ThatsMyPark #CAStateParks #SeaBirds #OysterCatcher #OceanConservation #MarineProtectedAreas castateparks mpacollaborativenetwork📍Uypi land ...

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