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
Backcountry Trail Camps provide an incredible wilderness experience in the backyard of the Bay Area. Plan a backpacking trip and explore for yourself.
BACKPACK
Pay tribute to a loved one, celebrate a milestone or demonstrate community support with a Tribute Table.
GIFT
Improving the resilience of our coastline starts with studying coastal processes, planning for change, and adapting to new conditions.
LEARN
Turn your used vehicle into support for local state parks and beaches — arrange a donation today.
DONATEPlan 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!Get News and Stay Connected
🌟 The work Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks does is powered by community support — and you can be part of it!
By becoming a Friend and donating, you help protect the places where you hike, camp, picnic and connect with nature. Here are three great reasons to join:
📸 Help keep your neighborhood state parks and beaches picture perfect
🫂 Support local programs and events
🤝 Turn your love for parks into stewardship
Learn more about becoming a Friend at the link in our bio. 🌳💚
@santacruzhistoricstateparks
#Thatsmypark #StateHistory #Historic #Castro #CastroAdobe #Rancho #History #Donate #Nature #StateParks #BecomeAFriend
🌱🌾🌿Springtime at Wilder Ranch 🌸🌼🌻
Small but dramatic flowers are blooming all over Wilder Ranch. Big bloom seekers driving by will miss these delicate blossoms, their singular beauty and intricate patterns. Bright splashes of color reward closer inspection from the rolling hills of Cowboy Loop to the expansive Wilder Ridge Trail.
📍Uypi Land #springtime #cawildflowers #springtimevibes #cawildflowers #ThingsToDoInSantaCruz #santacruz #wilderranch #thatsmypark #castateparks
Image description: yarrow, lupine, buttercup, forget-me-not, poppy, daisy, blue eyed grass, gumplant, and berry flowers.
The colors of Wilder Ranch State Park remind us to slow down and look closer. Greens, golds and blues — all part of the everyday magic along the coast. ✨
#ThatsMyPark #WilderRanch #SantaCruzStateParks
🍄 Show your love for fungi with these beautiful, scientifically accurate earrings!
Each pair is carefully 3D printed and hand-painted right here in California. 🎨✨ Designed to spark appreciation and curiosity about the amazing world of fungi.
Stop by the Natural Bridges ParkStore to check out the full collection! 🛍️
#thatsmypark #Thatsmybeach #Mushrooms #ParkStore #Shopping #Earrings #Gift #Nature #Wildlife #jewelry
Celebrate and commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Castro Adobe on Rancho San Andrés in the beautiful countryside near Watsonville. In spirit of Mother’s Day, come learn about women on the Rancho and the roles of both the Castro and Indigenous women during an open house event on Saturday, May 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New to the Castro Adobe is a side saddle exhbit! The saddle is made of alligator or crocodile hide with an embroidered suede seat. This saddle was handed down through the Castro family and is reported to have belonged to Martina Castro, who owned Rancho Soquel in the mid-1800’s. She was the sister of Juan Jose Castro, who owned the Castro Adobe along with his wife, Rita Pinto Castro.
👐 All are welcome. 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 #CastroAdobe #Museum #stateHistory #Saddle #History #Adobe #Rancho #Wastonville #Castro
Looking for some adventure inspiration? Pack your beach bags and go tidepooling during negative tide times. Be sure to check the tides for the area you’re headed to! These windows are an opportunity to discover a whole new world full of sea anemones, hermit crabs 🐚, sea stars ⭐ and nudibranchs (sea slugs).
Remember to respect all marine protected areas by not touching, disturbing or collecting any marine life. And remember to never turn your back to the ocean. Tidepools can be slippery, so step carefully to keep you and the sea critters safe.
@santacruzstatebeaches
#Thatsmybeach #Thatsmypark #Tidepools #Wildlife #Nature #Explore #Anemone #Sea #Ocean #Nudibranchs #Seaslug