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
Explore the Natural Beach: Guided Walk at
Morro Strand State Beach
April 12 and 26th 10:00AM – 12:00PM
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.
Oceano’s Beavers
Oceano’s Beavers
Saturday, April 13th, 10am-noon
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 are a plus. Moderate walk; 0.5 miles; 2 hours. All ages are welcome.
Please RSVP by calling 805-474-2664.
Boardwalk to Butterflies to Beach
Saturday, April 20th 9:30-11:30 am
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 are welcome.
Please RSVP by calling 805-474-2664.
Coon Creek Native Plant Walk
Saturday, April 20th, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Join 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.
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.
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.
Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area©2018, California State Parks. Photo by Brian Baer
The Grand Dunes Trail in Oceano
Sunday, April 21st, 9:00 – 11:00 am
The Grand Dunes Trail! Join State Park Docent Peggy and Sally for a walk through our Grand Dunes Trail. Here you will learn about the dune habitat and explore dune formations, the local fauna, and flora.
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. Moderate walk; 2 miles; 2 hours. All ages are welcome.
Please RSVP by calling 805-474-2664.
Native Plant Walk at Coon Creek
Dates and Times Coming Soon
Join 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.
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. 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.2.5 miles, 2 hours.
*There is limited cell phone service coverage in this area of the park.