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.

Boardwalk to Butterflies to Beach – Saturday, July 2, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Join State Park Docent Becky for an easy stroll along the boardwalk trail to Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove and then return by way of the beach. Along the way, we’ll discuss the area’s history, Western Monarch Butterflies, Pismo clams, sand dollars and shorebirds as we identify some of the area’s plants and animals.

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. Spaces are limited. Pre-registration required. RSVP by calling 805-474-2664 and leave a message with your name, phone number, the number of attendees and the date of the program you plan to attend.

White’s Point Vista – Saturday, July 2, 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.

Meet outside near the entrance to the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, located at 20 State Park Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442. Dress for windy weather; wear sturdy shoes. Bring water, camera, and binoculars. Family, moderate, with incline and uneven, rocky surfaces. ½ miles, ½ hour.

Explore the Natural Shoreline at Morro Strand State Beach – Friday, July 8, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

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 Azure Street Parking Lot, off San Jacinto Street and Highway 1 in Morro Bay. 11 Azure Street, Morro Bay, CA 93442. 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.

Los Osos Oaks Reserve – Saturday, July 9, 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.

Estero Bluffs Rocks – Saturday, July 16, 9:00 AM – 10:00 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. See the map and GPS coordinates. Latitude: 35.45380333333333, Longitude: 120.9515

Oso Flaco Biodiversity Walk – Saturday, July 16, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Join Docent Cheryl and explore one of the Central Coast’s hidden gems, Oso Flaco Lake. On this easy 2-mile walk, you will follow the boardwalk trail across the lake and into the adjacent dunes. Along the way, you will learn about the fascinating plant and wildlife communities that call this place home.

Park in the Oso Flaco lot at the end of Oso Flaco Road, 3 miles from Guadalupe. Layered clothing, water, and sunscreen are recommended. All ages welcome. NO DOGS. Spaces are limited. Pre-registration required. RSVP by calling 805-474-2664 and leave a message with your name, phone number, the number of attendees and the date of the program you plan to attend.

White’s Point Vista – Saturday, July 16, 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.

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 mile, ½ hour.

The Story of the 9 Sisters Volcanic Peaks – Sunday, July 17, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Join State Park Volunteer Faylla to see and learn about the geologic features of the San Luis Obispo area. Morro Rock is the most famous of a chain of volcanic peaks and is part of a series of mountains known as the Nine Sisters, or also called the 7 Morros.  

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 close-toed sturdy shoes, sun protection and dress in layers. Chance of poison oak.  Bring water, camera, and binoculars. Family, easy and moderate. 0.5 mile, 1 hour.

Montaña de Oro Bluff and Tidepool Walk to Corallina Cove – Monday, July 18, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Join California State Park Volunteer Sally at Montaña de Oro State Park to learn how plants and animals adapt in the coastal environment with extreme weather and tides. Walk the bluffs and look for whales, birds, otters and seals. You will be enlightened about some local history on the walk. Then explore the tidepools and its inhabitants at Corallina Cove during low tide.

Meet at the north Bluff Trailhead in Montaña de Oro State Park, located adjacent to the Valencia Peak trailhead, just 200 yards south of Spooner Ranch house. Wear closed toed sturdy shoes, that can get wet, and dress in layers for the coast. Bring water, camera, and binoculars. Family, easy and moderate, with steps down to the beach and uneven, slippery, rocky surfaces. 2 miles, 1.5 hours.

Explore the Natural Shoreline at Morro Strand State Beach – Thursday, July 21, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

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 North 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.

Shoreline Treasures – Sunday, July 24, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

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.  Spaces are limited. Pre-registration required. RSVP by calling 805-474-2664 and leave a message with your name, phone number, the number of attendees and the date of the program you plan to attend.

Salt Marsh to Mud Flats – Friday, July 29, 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.