Join California State Park Volunteer Sharon for a guided beach walk to discover what gets washed up along the sandy shoreline and compare the fresh items with those deposited earlier during high tide. Find and identify items left behind by the tide. Learn about how to identify these fun and fascinating items, such as shells, barnacles, seaweeds and more! Explore their relationship to each other and the sandy beach environment.

Meet at the tables next to the campground kiosk at Morro Strand State Beach, off Yerba Buena Street and Highway 1 in Morro Bay.

Wear closed toed sturdy shoes and sun protection; dress in layers for the coast and bring plenty of water. All ages welcome for this easy-paced walk, which includes moderately strenuous terrain with walking through soft sand.

1 mile; 2 hours

Rain or stormy weather will cancel.

Join State Park Docent Dan to learn about the beaver’s physical adaptations, their role in our country’s westward expansion, why they were hunted, and their local history. Enjoy an easy paced walk around the Oceano lagoon as we search for evidence and signs of beaver activity.

Meet at Oceano Dunes Visitor Center at the Oceano Campground, 555 Pier Ave, Oceano. Dress in layers with comfortable walking shoes. Bring insect repellent and water: binoculars a plus. Moderate walk; 0.5 miles; 2 hours. Best for ages 8 & up, however all ages welcome. Space is limited, please RSVP by calling 805-474-2664.

Fall is the start of the monarch butterfly overwintering season! Drop by our table located in the eucalyptus grove just in front of the pier at W.R. Hearst Memorial Beach anytime between 1:30pm and 3:30pm to learn all about monarchs! We will have binoculars handy for a chance to view any monarchs or other wildlife present. We’ll also have props, coloring pages, and information to answer your monarch, butterfly, and native plant questions.

Join Bre at the Cambria Library for a special Storytime! Together, we will read “Shelby, the Brave Little Pup” by Julia Stanert, about an elephant seal in Hearst San Simeon State Park. We’ll learn more about the main character, Shelby, through hands on elephant seal props, like a skull, tooth, molt, and more. At the end, participants will earn a “Little Ranger” sticker.  This program is perfect for “little rangers”, ages 5 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This program is possible thanks to a collaboration between the Cambria Library and California State Parks.

Join California State Park Volunteer Sharon for a guided beach walk to discover what gets washed up along the sandy shoreline and compare the fresh items with those deposited earlier during high tide. Find and identify items left behind by the tide. Learn about how to identify these fun and fascinating items, such as shells, barnacles, seaweeds and more! Explore their relationship to each other and the sandy beach environment.

Meet at the tables next to the campground kiosk at Morro Strand State Beach, off Yerba Buena Street and Highway 1 in Morro Bay.

Wear closed toed sturdy shoes and sun protection; dress in layers for the coast and bring plenty of water. All ages welcome for this easy-paced walk, which includes moderately strenuous terrain with walking through soft sand.

1 mile; 2 hours

Rain or stormy weather will cancel.

Friday, November 21st 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Join us for a night under the stars!  Meet California State Park Interpreter Bre for a one hour astronomy program, where you will learn to find many of the constellations in the fall night sky while listening to the fascinating stories behind them.   This program will be held on the grassy field in the upper parking lot of William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach. Please bring camp chairs or blankets to sit on and a flashlight. Dress in warm layers so that you can comfortably sit outdoors on a chilly evening.    Rain will cancel this event.

Saturday, November 22nd 9:30 – 11:30 AM

oin California State Park Volunteer Sally to learn how plant communities thrive along the central coast and maritime environments. Enjoy a 1.5 mile walk along the lush Coon Creek riparian corridor, located at the far south end of Montaña de Oro State Park. Learn how to identify diverse plant species and a bit about the history of this beautiful canyon.

Meeting site: Meet at the farthest south parking lot in Montaña de Oro State Park, located 1 mile south of Spooner’s Cove. Arrive early as parking is limited and may fill up.

Materials: Wear closed toed sturdy shoes with good traction and dress in layers for the coast. Hiking poles are recommended for anyone needing extra stability on the initial steep decline down into the canyon from the parking lot; the rest of the trail this program will cover is relatively flat and considered easy to moderately strenuous. Bring water, camera, and binoculars.

1.5 miles, 2 hours.

*There is limited cell phone service coverage in this area of the park.