Adventures With Nature

Adventures with Nature

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. We do our best to keep this page up-to-date, but Adventures with Nature are subject to change, please check the official California State Parks website before attending.

Beach Clean Up

Wednesday, July 9th 1:00 PM -2:00 PM

Help keep your state beach clean and healthy after what is sure to be one of the busiest weekends of the year! Together, we will pick up trash to keep the coast beautiful and wildlife safe.  Meet us at the bottom of the stairs on W.R. Memorial Beach at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, July 9. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Rain will cancel this program.

Guided Beach Walk at Morro Strand State Beach

Friday, July 11th 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. 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.

Oceano’s Beavers

Saturday, July 12th 10:00 AM -12:00 PM

*RSVP REQUIRED*

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

Coon Creek Native Plant Walk

Friday, July 25th 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.

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.

Guided Beach Walk at Morro Strand State Beach

Friday, July 25th 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. 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.

Introduction to Nature Journaling

Friday, July 25th 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

In a fast-paced world, nature journaling invites us to slow down, observe with intention, and connect more deeply to the landscapes around us. This program introduces visitors to the practice of nature journaling as a tool for exploration, reflection, and stewardship.

Participants will learn how to record what they see, hear, and feel through simple sketches, descriptive writing, and curiosity-driven observation.

This beginner-friendly program welcomes all ages and abilities!  We will provide nature journals and pencils, but feel free to bring your own journal and art supplies, if you’d prefer.

Meet CA State Park Interpreter Bre in front of the Spooner Ranch House in Montana de Oro State Park at 1:30 pm to join in on the fun. We will walk across the street to the Holloway Garden, and may walk a small portion of the Bluff Trail.  Please wear closed-toe shoes, layers for the coast, and sun protection. Rainy weather will cancel this program.