Adventures with Nature Programs are guided walks and talks facilitated by California State Park Staff and Volunteers. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. These fun, free programs are exploratory in nature, revolving around cultural and natural resources in the coastal California State Parks in San Luis Obispo County. No dogs, please. Rain and/or inclement weather will cancel all outdoor events. For a full list of upcoming events, please check our event calendar.

Adventures with Nature
Boardwalk to Butterflies to Beach – Saturday, March 18, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Please RSVP by calling 805-474-2664. This dynamic guided walk covers many highlights of Pismo State Beach including monarch butterflies and Pismo clams. Join State Park Docent Becky for an easy 1-mile walk starting along the boardwalk trail to Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove and returning by way of the beach. Learn more about the places you visit! Whether you are a long time resident or just passing through, come and discover the plants, animals, history, and ecology of this popular part of the Central Coast.
Meet in the plaza area at the tables by the public restrooms across from Fin’s Bar & Grill, 25 W Grand Avenue, Grover Beach. Dress in layers. Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat. Other helpful items include binoculars, a camera, water, birding and/or plant books. Easy walk; 1 mile; 2 hours. All ages welcome. NO DOGS.
Tidepooling at Estero Bluffs State Park – Saturday, March 18, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join California State Park Volunteer Faylla to explore the beach and rocky boulders of the Estero Bluffs. These tidepools are different from those at Montaña de Oro and elsewhere in SLO County. The tide pool organisms will differ also. Plants of the grassland and geology will be discussed on the way to the tide pools.
Meet at the San Geronimo Pull Out/windmill parking lot. Turnoff is 2.5 miles north of Exit 285 to Cayucos on Highway 1. Wear close-toed sturdy shoes and sun protection; dress in layers for the coast. Clothes may get a little wet while wading in the pools. Family, easy and moderate. Rocks are slippery, loose, and rough. 1 mile; 2 hours. No dogs.
CANCELLED DUE TO UNSAFE CONDITIONS: Estero Bluffs Rocks – Friday, March 24, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join California State Park Volunteer Norma to explore the beach and rocky shoreline of Estero Bluffs through the lens of a geologist. Learn about various land formations and see rocks that are thousands of years old that have shaped the coastline.
The distance to the parking area is 1.5 miles from the beginning of the two-lane start of Hwy 1 going north from Cayucos. Look for the State Park sandwich board display sign. Link to Google Map Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/xq62m6v2dDnGJEsZ6
Stable footwear recommended. The walk is along the uneven dirt bluff top trail and then along a sandy shoreline; however, there is a section of the walk where the trail goes down a steep, narrow, sandy incline of about 15 feet from the bluff to the beach.
CANCELLED: Shoreline Treasures – Sunday, March 26, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Please RSVP by calling 805-474-2664. When the high tide recedes shoreline treasures are revealed. Join State Park Docent Peggy for a group exploration of the unique flora and fauna of the intertidal zone. The treasures you might find include shorebirds, marine mammals, mollusks and crustaceans, jellies, and more! Discover their relationship to each other and the shoreline environment on this fun 1.5-mile walk.
Meet in the plaza area at the tables by the public restrooms across from Fin’s Bar & Grill, 25 W Grand Avenue, Grover Beach. Wear sun protection and dress in layers for the coast. Uneven, soft sand terrain. No bare feet. The walk is 1.5 miles and will last 1-1.5 hours. Suitable for children 6 years and older. NO DOGS.
Explore the Natural Beach at Morro Strand State Beach – Friday, March 31, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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. Family, easy and moderate through soft sand. 1 mile; 1 hour.
Salt Marsh to Mud Flats – Friday, March 31, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The salt marsh and mud flats are a natural part of the estuary habitat. Join California State Park Volunteer Faylla to explore along a path from the State Park Marina through native plants to the salt marsh and on to the mud flats. Learn the history of the salt marsh and see the plants and animals living in and on these specialized environments.
Meet at the Southeast end of the Marina Parking Lot in Morro Bay State Park. Dress in layers for the coast and wear sturdy shoes. Bring binoculars and sun protection. Family, easy, uneven and slippery wet terrain, ½ mile, 2 hours.
White’s Point Vista – Saturday, April 1, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Join California State Park Volunteer Norma at Morro Bay State Park to explore how forces that created the estuary continue to change it today. Enjoy a short walk to view the estuary and learn about the forces that created this watery world that serves as home to marine and terrestrial animals. Learn how you can help conserve the estuary for future generations. Dress for windy weather; wear sturdy shoes.
Meet outside near the entrance to the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, located at 20 State Park Road, Morro Bay CA 93442. Wear closed toed sturdy shoes and dress in layers for the coast. Bring water, camera, and binoculars. Family, moderate, with incline and uneven, rocky surfaces. ½ miles, ½ hour.
White’s Point Vista – Saturday, April 8, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Join California State Park Volunteer Molly at Morro Bay State Park to explore how forces that created the estuary continue to change it today. Enjoy a short walk to view the estuary and learn about the forces that created this watery world that serves as home to marine and terrestrial animals. Learn how you can help conserve the estuary for future generations. Dress for windy weather; wear sturdy shoes.
Meet outside near the entrance to the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, located at 20 State Park Road, Morro Bay CA 93442. Wear closed toed sturdy shoes and dress in layers for the coast. Bring water, camera, and binoculars. Family, moderate, with incline and uneven, rocky surfaces. ½ miles, ½ hour.
Guided Walk at Los Osos Oaks Reserve – Saturday, April 8, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join California State Park Volunteer Faylla at the Los Osos Oaks Reserve for a leisurely stroll to explore the shaded trail through an ancient forest. See native plants and learn about the many changes that have occurred over time. Observe evidence of Native American habitation and learn about the history of this area.
Meet at the entrance to the reserve, 1801 Los Osos Valley Rd, Los Osos, CA 93402. Parking lot is 0.7 miles east of South Bay Blvd on Los Osos Valley Road. Wear closed toed sturdy shoes, sun protection and dress in layers for the coast. Bring water, camera, and binoculars. Family, easy and moderate. 1 mile, 1.5 hours.
Explore the Natural Beach: Guided Walk at Morro Strand State Beach – Thursday, April 13, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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. Family, easy and moderate through soft sand. 1 mile; 1 hour.
Explore the Natural Beach: Guided Walk at Morro Strand State Beach – Friday, April 21, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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. Family, easy and moderate through soft sand. 1 mile; 1 hour.
Estero Bluffs Rocks – Friday, April 21, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join California State Park Volunteer Norma to explore the beach and rocky shoreline of Estero Bluffs through the lens of a geologist. Learn about various land formations and see rocks that are thousands of years old that have shaped the coastline.
The walk is along the uneven dirt bluff top trail and then along a sandy shoreline; however, there is a section of the walk where the trail goes down a steep, narrow, sandy incline of about 15 feet from the bluff to the beach. Stable footwear recommended. The distance to the parking area is 1.5 miles from the beginning of the two-lane start of Hwy 1 going north from Cayucos. Look for the State Park sandwich board display sign. See GPS coordinates below.
Link to Google Map Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/xq62m6v2dDnGJEsZ6
The Eucalyptus Story: Guided Walk at Montaña de Oro State Park – Friday, April 28, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Eucalyptus: Beauty or Beast? Join California State Parks Volunteer Faylla to learn about some of the 1200+ species of Eucalyptus and how to identify them using some of the local species. Then find out about the Eucalyptus in Montaña de Oro State Park and why Alexander Hazard planted them. Lastly, hear about the pros and cons of Eucalyptus here and throughout the world.
Meet at the Hazard Canyon parking lot, 1.6 miles from the front entrance to Montaña de Oro State Park. Some uphill walking required. 1 mile, 2 hours.