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Our diverse parks and beaches have something for everyone. Find your next adventure!
Backcountry Trail Camps provide an incredible wilderness experience in the backyard of the Bay Area. Plan a backpacking trip and explore for yourself.
BACKPACKPay tribute to a loved one, celebrate a milestone or demonstrate community support with a Tribute Table.
GIFTImproving the resilience of our coastline starts with studying coastal processes, planning for change, and adapting to new conditions.
LEARNFriends 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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Happy California State Parks Week 2025! From June 11 through June 15, join us locally and statewide for special events celebrating the best of California State Parks, like Vaquero Days at Castro Adobe State Historic Park!
On Saturday, June 14 from 10:30 am to 3 pm, join us for a free, family-friendly event to discover the importance of the leather industry in Mexican-era Alta California and how cows allowed the Castros to build their dream home. Try your hand at roping a “calf,” meet a horse, enjoy live music, and explore the recently installed interpretive displays in the Castro Adobe. Ninos, come to the kids’ table and learn how to make an adobe brick!
Don’t delay, giddy up to Castro Adobe on Saturday! 🤠🐎
To learn more and check out what’s happening across the state, visit www.castateparksweek.org.
Image: California State Parks Week event promotion flyer with Castro Adobe photo and event info
📍 Ohlone Tribal Land
#CAStateParks #CAStateParksWeek #ThatsMyPark #CastroAdobe
Learn how cows were a cornerstone to the way of life at the Castro Adobe State Historic Park at Vaquero Days this Saturday, June 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The open house event gives visitors a chance to learn how Californios made their wealth in the cow hide and tallow trade, producing soap, candles and everything leather. Visitors can also tour the building to explore the exhibits and see artifacts in ways that they've never seen before.
Visiting is free, though donations are gratefully accepted. Carpooling is encouraged, and dogs are not allowed. Preregister for tours. The Castro Adobe is located at 184 Old Adobe Road in Watsonville.
@santacruzhistoricstateparks
#thatsmypark #History #HistoricPark #CastroAdobe #Rancho #CaliforniaHistory #Tours
Come along on a youth-focused, family friendly hike along the San Lorenzo River in beautiful Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
Enter the forest with curiosity and an explorer’s mind as we stroll through the park with intentions of discovering new things.
We will use our senses and observations to engage and connect with the more-than-human world of the great outdoors. Learn about river critters’ habitats within this magnificent redwood forest and experience the joy of Nature along the San Lorenzo’s riverbanks.
We will walk up to 2.5 miles starting on the River Trail over uneven terrain, so please wear sturdy walking or hiking shoes. Bring water, a walking stick if desired, and a towel to enjoy a little water play. Water shoes and a change of clothes might be a good idea if you’re feeling splashy!
This class is intended for anyone identifying as Black Indigenous, or a Person of Color. NOTE: Each participant, regardless of age, needs to be registered. Those under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Meet at the Native Plant Garden adjacent to the Nature Store in the day use area of Henry Cowell. Those who register will receive more detailed directions and information via email.
BIPOC Family Romp Through the Redwoods
Sunday, June 29, 2025
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Led by Aniko Kannas-Millan
& Olivia Chapman Goss
🙌🏽💯😬 This is a FREE Registration!
https://www.mountainparks.org/rx-classes/2025-06-29
#MountainParksFoundation #RedwoodRX
#HenryCowellRedwoods#RedwoodsStatePark #ThatsMyPark #CaliforniaStateParks
#CAStateParks #SantaCruzMountains #OhloneTerritory #Awaswas #LandStewardship #Community #Belonging #BIPOC #BIPOCHiking #Nature #Outdoors #Wellness #Nature #Forest #Mindfulness #Family #YouthFocused #Restful #ForestBathing #SanLorenzoRiver
Join us for outdoor yoga surrounded by stunning views of Monterey Bay at sunset!
Participants with all levels of experience are welcome to join this nourishing class, presented in the gentle style of Iyengar yoga, which will focus on poses intended to increase strength and flexibility and to calm the mind.
We begin in the campground followed by a half-mile walk to the Observation Deck where we will experience a 50-minute yoga session.
Bring a yoga mat that you don’t mind getting dirty or a towel to put under your mat. Participants must be able to walk a total of one mile and climb a steep flight of 22 stairs.
The return walk to the campground may happen in the dark. Class meets at the Henry Cowell Campfire Center.
Class size is limited, and advanced registration is required. Those who register will receive more detailed information and directions via email.
Sunset Yoga
Thursday, June 26, 2025
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday, August 28, 2025
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Thursday, September 25, 2025
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Henry Cowell Redwoods Campground
$35.00 per class. Led by Sonya.
https://www.mountainparks.org/rx-classes/2025-06-26
#MountainParksFoundation #RedwoodRX
#HenryCowellRedwoods#HenryCowellCampground #RedwoodsStatePark #ThatsMyPark #CaliforniaStateParks #MontereyBay #bayarea #CAStateParks #SantaCruzMountains #OhloneTerritory #Awaswas #LandStewardship #Community #Belonging #Nature #Outdoors #Yoga #Wellness #SunsetYoga #Nature #Forest #Mindfulness #Breath #Body #Mind
Join us to connect with community, breath, body, mind, and spirit while being held by the Redwood forest.
We will start by checking in with the emotional body before moving into breath work to ground and settle into the body and space, followed by gentle, joyous movement. We will rest and allow the mind to meditate.
Class will conclude with journaling to notice how the body, mind, and spirit are feeling after practice. You will have the option to walk back to the meeting spot in community or stay and enjoy more time in the park.
The forest can be messy, please bring a yoga mat that you don’t mind getting dirty or a towel to put under your mat. Additional yoga props such as blocks, cushions and straps are welcome but not required. Journals and pens will be provided.
This class is intended for anyone identifying as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color. All levels of yoga experience are welcome – no experience required!
Group size is limited, and advanced registration is required. Meet at Picnic Area 1 in the day use area of Henry Cowell. We will be walking from there to another location, so please be on time. Those who register will receive more detailed directions and information via email.
Connecting to Self and Nature: A BIPOC Yoga Experience in the Redwoods
Sunday, June 22, 2025
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
$35.00 per class. Led by Krystle Shield
https://www.mountainparks.org/rx-classes/2025-06-22
#MountainParksFoundation #RedwoodRX
#HenryCowellRedwoods#RedwoodsStatePark #ThatsMyPark #CaliforniaStateParks
#CAStateParks #SantaCruzMountains #OhloneTerritory #Awaswas #LandStewardship #Community #Belonging #Nature #Outdoors #Yoga #Redwoods #Wellness #Nature #Forest #Mindfulness #Restful #Breath #Body #Mind #Connection
California sea lions are pupping on Año Nuevo island!
California sea lions give birth to one pup from May through June, with the peak of births occurring near June 15th. A female sea lion will nurse her pup for 1-2 days at a time, and then leave for 2-5 days at a time to feed.
By three months, the pup can begin to digest fish, though it still continues to nurse. Mothers will then begin to guide their pup into the water, venturing deeper and deeper to feed. Sea lion pups will stay with their mother for about a year, at which point they are weaned.
📍 Quiroste Tribal Land
Image Description: A California Sea Lion Pup nurses from its mother on a crowded beach.
Credit: Bruce Lyon
#AñoNuevoStatePark #SeaLion #CASeaLion #Nursing #Pups #CaliforniaStateParks #CaliforniaWildlife #CoastalCalifornia #ThatsMyPark