Resources

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks provides the following resources for teachers, scholars and other interested members of the public.

Castro Adobe Adobe State Historic Park

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park

Wilder Ranch State Park

  • Wilder Ranch and Beaches book
    This book, generously provided to Friends through the Charlie & Patty Kieffer Collection, shares the story of how Wilder Ranch State Park was created in the early 1970s.The Wilder Family ran the ranch until 1969 when property taxes exceeded farm income. In the 1970s, the land was proposed for a development of up to 10,000 homes. Local residents formed Operation Wilder to oppose the plan and county citizens voted to protect the open space. After continued advocacy, the State allocated $6 million for the property and in 1974 State Parks acquired the land.

    Today Wilder Ranch State Park covers approximately 7,000 acres, with 34 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Major wetland restoration projects have attracted some of the original flora and fauna back to the area. In the cultural complex, visitors can explore Victorian homes, barns, shops, gardens, the historic Bolcoff adobe, and discover the history of early ranchers and farmers through tours, living history demonstrations and special events.