Sempervirens Room exhibits at Park Headquarters

display the history of Big Basin, the oldest California State Park. Exhibits in the Nature Lodge show the natural environment of the park. Mountain Parks

Foundation members receive 15% discount in Nature Store.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Sempervirens Room and Nature Lodge

21600 Big Basin Way • Boulder Creek, Ca., 95006

9 miles from Boulder Creek, CA on Hwy 236

831-338-8861

Daily with seasonal hours, $10 vehicle fee

Donations appreciated.

Interactive exhibits of the four diverse habitats of the park, which include many unique and endangered plants and wildlife. The Visitor Center is at the beginning of the .8 mile walk in the grove of 270 ft. tall redwood trees where you may see these bright yellow banana slugs. Mountain Parks Foundation

members receive 15% discount in Nature Store.
 

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

1/2 mile from Felton on Hwy 9

525 N. Big Trees Park Road • Felton, CA 95018

831-335-8418

Open daily 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, $10 vehicle fee

Go to Henry Cowell Visitor Center Link

Exhibits share the science and wonder of monarch butterfly migration, offer a close up look at tidepool

animals in the aquarium, and explore the park’s other habitats. Seasonally, visit over-wintering monarch butterflies roosting in the park’s trees. Park store sales support education in the parks.

Natural Bridges State Beach Visitor Center

2531 West Cliff Drive • Santa Cruz, CA 95060

831-423-4609

Call or click for hours/events.

Go to Natural Bridges State Park Link

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Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center, 16 miles N of Santa Cruz, features local species (bears to butterflies). Historic materials include Native American artifacts, old logging operation relics, and historic Hoover family photographs. Nearby are trails through eight different ecological zones.

Rancho del Oso Nature and History Center

3600 Highway 1 • Davenport, CA 95017

831-427-2288

Sat and Sun, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Also by appointment between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm

No charge for school field trips – donations appreciated.

Private groups: Check with State Parks for fees

Go to Rancho Del Oso Link

Explore local natural history at the Museum: visit

exhibits of forests, wetlands, and grasslands, visit

a California king snake, grind acorns in our Ohlone room, touch a sea star, watch the bees in an observation hive, browse through the bookstore, and climb on the back of our life-sized sculpture of a grey whale.

Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History

1305 East Cliff Dr • Santa Cruz CA 95062-3722

831-420-6115

Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Days/ School year: Tuesday through Saturday

Summer: Wednesday through Sunday

$2.50 Adults, $1.50 Seniors (60+)

Youth 18 and under are admitted free of charge

Free admission on first Thursday of each month. Donations appreciated

Go to Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Link

Explore exhibits interpreting the park’s natural & cultural history, including Seacliff's famous “Cement Ship,” marine fossil beds & the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. An aquarium and touch tank feature animals found in the tidepools. Park store sales support education in the parks. Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks members receive 15% discount.

Seacliff State Beach Visitor Center

201 State Park Drive • Aptos, CA 95003

831-685-6444

Call or click for hours/events.

Go to Seacliff State Beach Visitors Center Link

Visit a working marine lab dedicated to advancing

human understanding of the world’s ocean. Exhibit

hall, aquarium, touch tank, tours to the marine mammal overlook, Ocean Discovery Shop, and unsurpassed vistas. Hold a sea star—marvel at a whale of a skeleton—think like an ocean scientist!

Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab

End of Delaware Avenue • Santa Cruz, CA 95060

831-459-3800

Tues – Sat, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm;

Sun, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Closed major holidays; call for extended summer days/hours

Adult – $6,

Student or Senior (64+) – $4,

Child (4-16) – $4,

See website for special free days and discounts

Go to Seymour Center Long Marine Lab Link

Discover one of the largest remaining freshwater wetlands along the Central Coast of California. The center offers bilingual activities for the whole family with exhibits on wetlands animals, plants, habitats and cultural history. Join us for nature walks to learn about the amazing bird species that depend on the wetlands and the plants that make this habitat special. Over 6 miles of trails open to the public 7 days a week

City of Watsonville Nature Center

30 Harkins Slough Rd. • Watsonville, CA 96076

831-768-1622

Sat–Sun 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Nature Walks on Sun at 1:30 pm (bilingual) and Weekdays by appt.

Call for a list of special events and programs.

Free admission - Donations appreciated

Go to Wetlands of Watsonville Link