Memorial Day Weekend Activities at Butano, Big Basin

Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center
Located 17 miles north of Santa Cruz off highway 1 (831) 427-2288  
From Santa Cruz, turn right just before the Waddell Creek Bridge at the sign for Rancho Del Oso Nature and History Center. From Half Moon Bay take Highway One south 30 miles and turn left after the Waddell Creek Bridge (2.6 miles south of Año Nuevo State Reserve).   

From Waddell to the Waterfalls- Berry Creek Falls Hike Sunday, May 26 at 10:00 am
Join in the fun for an all-day hike to Berry Creek Falls.  Hiking from the Ranger Station to the three gorgeous waterfalls is an all-day affair so bring lunch, water and energy.  The hike is 7 miles each way over moderately easy trail except for the uphill around the 3 sets of gorgeous waterfalls. Please wear good hiking shoes for the 14-mile trek.  Arrive early at the Hwy 1 gate across from Waddell Beach, and then walk in approximately 1 mile to the ranger station to meet your guide at 10:00a.m. at the Ranger Station. Call to RSVP - (831) 427-2288 or (831)425-1218 - or just show up!  

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Located Off Hwy 9 in Felton (831) 335-7077  

Bird Walk at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Saturday, May 25 from 8:00a.m. to 10:00a.m.
Sunday, May 26 from 8:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. Approximately 1 mile/2 hours/no elevation gain
Explore Henry Cowell Redwoods river and meadow ecosystems with park naturalists. Binoculars and bird guides are available to borrow for the walk.  Dress in layers, bring water and snack. An optional information session will meet after the walk to cover binocular selection, birding books and apps, birding hot spots, etc.  Meet at 8:00 am in front of Nature Store at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.  Heavy rain cancels.  For more information call (831) 335-7077.

Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Located on School St. off of Mission and Emmet Street in Santa Cruz (831) 425-5849  

Mission Cooking Demonstration Saturday May 25th, 1:00-2:00pm
Come to Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park for a taste of history. There will be a presentation of Ohlone and Spanish cuisine including hot rock cooking, tortilla frying on a Comal and baking in our Horno. You can even sample the creations and make your own tortilla. The event is FREE. Rain cancels. The Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park is located on School St. off of Mission and Emmet Street in Santa Cruz. Please call (831) 425-5849 for more information.  

Memorial Day Weekend Activities at Butano State Park
1500 Cloverdale Rd.,  Pescadero, CA 94060, (650) 879-2040 For weekly updates visit our blog: www.friendsofbutano.blogspot.com or facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ButanoStatePark  

Junior Rangers/ Nature Club Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Children and parents of all ages are welcome to join us for a variety of activities including games, arts, crafts and hiking exploration based on the plants, animals and history of Butano State Park. Kids ages 7-12 yrs. old will earn rewards for the Junior Rangers program.  Meeting location may vary, please refer to posted signs at entrance station and campground exhibits.  

Flora and Fauna of Butano State Park Saturday, May 25th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Come join our docent volunteers Mel & Bob for a walk along the Six Bridges Trail to discover plants and animals that live in the park. Meet at the Visitor Center.
 
Discover the Redwoods with Your Dog! Saturday, May 25th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Get your friendly dog on a max 6’ leash and join Butano State Park Interpreter Rosanna for a dog walk along the Olmo Fire Trail to discover the wonders of redwood forests. Meet along the park’s main road at the start of Olmo Fire Road.
 
The Candelabra Tree and the Old Growth Forest Sunday, May 26th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Come join our docent volunteers Mel & Bob for a walk along the newest trail of the park to discover one of the oldest trees in the park. Meet at the Visitor Center, near entrance station, and be prepared for a short carpooled drive to the Candelabra Trailhead followed by the guided walk. Hiking boots and water suggested. All ages welcome!  

Campfire Programs Saturday and Sunday, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Come join us for campfire food, stories, games, trivia, followed by a slideshow on some of the features of the park. See detailed program in the blog or at the park exhibits. Meet at the Campfire Center.  

Wilder Ranch State Park
Located two miles north of Santa Cruz, on Highway 1 (831) 426-0505  

Wilder Ranch Living History Demonstrations and Ranch Tours— Weekends from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. Tour of the ranch houses at 1:00p.m.
Visit an early day dairy ranch in Santa Cruz County and step back in time to the late 1800’s at Wilder Ranch State Park. Weekends at 1:00p.m., join the 1-hour tour of the 1897 Victorian home, 1896 water-powered machine shop, and other historic buildings. You can also play Victorian games or bring a picnic to enjoy on the front lawn, visit the farm animals and see what activities are taking place on the ranch this weekend. You may learn about hand quilting, watch blacksmithing, or learn about the Meder Family voyage to California. Call (831)426-0505 for more weekend scheduled activities.  

History, Nature, and Scenic Views: A Tour of the Grey Whale Ranch Area Saturday, May 25 at 9:00 a.m.
This challenging guided three-hour hike will explore the natural and cultural history of the upper hills of Wilder Ranch State Park. Meet the hike leader in the Wilder Ranch parking lot. Bring good walking shoes, lunch, snacks, and water.   Events made possible by California State Park Docents, California State Parks and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Located 9 miles outside of Boulder Creek on Hwy 236 (831) 338-8883

Redwood Loop Walk Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 and 2:00 AND Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 at 11:00 and 2:00
How do these grand redwoods grow to be so old? So tall? How are they important to humans? Join us for this fun and informative guided half-mile stroll through a magnificent old-growth redwood forest. Meet the famous Mother Tree, the Father of the Forest and the incredible Chimney Tree on this 90-minute walk. Stroller and wheelchair accessible. Meet at Park Headquarters.  

Campfire Programs Saturday, May 25 at 7:00 pm Sunday, May 26 at 7:00 pm
Join us in our historic campfire center for an evening of song and story. Serenade the glittering stars and learn about redwood ecology, creatures of the forest or stories of the park while relaxing in the shadows of the towering trees. Fire lighting and marshmallow roasting (we provide the marshmallows and sticks!) starts at 7:00 pm and the program begins at 7:30 pm. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Good dogs welcome! Meet at the Campfire Center.  

Junior Rangers Saturday, May 25 at 3:00 pm Sunday, May 26 at 3:00 pm Monday, May 27 at 11:00 am

Discover the fascinating secrets of the forest! Explore, practice outdoor skills and play games as you learn about plants, animals, geology, and more. This one-hour program is for kids ages 7-12. Sorry parents, this program is for kids only! Please register your child at the Nature Lodge15 minutes before the program begins. Please be sure your child is dressed for active play in the outdoors.  
Big Basin Nature Club Saturday, May 25 at 4:30 pm Sunday, May 26 at 4:30 pm Monday, May 27 at 10:00 am

This fun program is for children ages 3-6 and their families. Pretend, play, sing and explore! This half-hour program will introduce youngsters to the wonders of the redwood forest. Meet at the Nature Lodge.  
A Walk in the Past Saturday, May 25 at 9:00 am

No Safeway? No Home Depot? No CVS Pharmacy? How did the Ohlone Indians survive? Take a walk with Docent Eva Fewel and learn about some of the plants the Ohlones used for food, tools and medicine. This is a 4-mile, 2.5-hour walk. Meet at Park Headquarters.  

Sempervirens Falls Saunter Saturday, May 25 at 10:00 am Join docent Hal Anjo in this moderate five-mile, four-hour loop walk by one of our prettiest falls, plus an interesting rock formation and old-growth redwoods. Meet at Park Headquarters.  

Felling the Giants Saturday, May 25 at 1:00 pm
Logging was the major industry in the Santa Cruz Mountains for over 50 years. How did lumbermen cut down these tall, tall trees? What was life like in a logging camp? What tools did they use? Join docent Paul Fewel as he tells stories of the logging days and demonstrates how loggers were able to fell these giants—without chainsaws! Meet at Park Headquarters.  

Family Discovery Walk Sunday, May 26 at 12:30 pm AND Memorial Day, Monday, May 27 at 12:30 pm
Join docent Norm Beeson for a fun-filled family walk and investigate the mysteries and wonders of Big Basin’s redwood forest! We’ll discover what surprises the day offers on this easy, one-mile roundtrip walk that lasts about 1.5 hours. Bring water, a snack or lunch and an adventurous spirit! Meet at Park Headquarters.  

Pioneers of Big Basin Sunday, May 26 at 1:30 pm
Join docent Doreen Devorah on an easy three-mile, three-hour round trip to the site of the Maddock Cabin. Enjoy a beautiful walk through the redwoods and hear stories of the early settlers and their life deep in the forest. Meet at Park Headquarters.