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Natural History of the SF Bay Area With Diane West-Bourke DIRECTIONS TO HIKES — SPRING 2010 (Meet at 10 AM at trailhead unless noted otherwise. Distances approximate—check local maps.)
BONNY DOON ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE Initially meet in Davenport on Hwy 1 about 6 miles N of Santa Cruz, on the clifftop across the street from the Whale City Bakery (& restrooms). Bring binoculars for whale watching, & money for muffins. Then caravan about 4 miles inland to preserve trailhead.
CASTLE ROCK STATE PARK From the Hwy 9 & Skyline Blvd./Hwy 35 intersection, turn S on Skyline & continue 2.6 miles to main park entrance on RT. Hiking sticks & boots recommended. (NOTE: this is a good trail, but challenging for those with knee problems or difficulty stepping “up & over” rocks.)
FT. ORD (Creekside Terrace entrance) From Hwy 68 between Monterey & Salinas, take the Reservation Rd./River Rd. exit. Turn LF onto Portola Drive. After 0.2 mi. Portola turns sharply LF, but you continue straight on Creekside Terrace for 0.1 mile to the parking area & trailheads.
GRAY WHALE/WILDER RANCH Initially meet at Wilder Ranch main parking lot, just off Hwy 1, about 1 mile N of Santa Cruz. Consolidate carpools there, then shuttle up to Gray Whale trailhead on Empire Grade Road, about 3 miles above (N) of the UCSC main gate on Bay St. Hike down to Wilder.
LAGUNA CREEK BEACH From Hwy 1 N in Santa Cruz, head N through town along Mission St. / Hwy 1. Continue N on Hwy 1 about 4 miles from the last stoplight at Western Drive / Mission. Watch for Laguna Road & a small dirt parking lot on RT. No restrooms.
SAN BRUNO MOUNTAIN Take Hwy 101 to South San Francisco. Take Bayshore Blvd N from the Brisbane exit. Turn LF at the stoplight onto Guadalupe Canyon Parkway. In about 1.5 miles, turn RT into main park entrance. Meet near restrooms.
SANTA TERESA COUNTY PARK From Hwy 101/85 in South San Jose, exit S on Bernal Road Continue about 2.6 miles & turn LF into main park entrance. Park near main picnic area & trailheads.
SB MORSE BOTANICAL AREA, Pacific Grove Initially meet in Pacific Grove near Asilomar & the Fishwife Restaurant, then caravan to obscure nearby trailhead. From Hwy 1 S in Monterey, exit W on Hwy 68 to Pacific Grove. At 3.3 miles, turn LF on Sunset Dr. / Hwy 68. After about 1 mile, park along ocean side of the road near Asilomar State Beach & boardwalk. CELEBRATE in Pacific Grove after hike.
SIERRA AZUL (Jacques Ridge) From Hwy 85, exit S on Camden Ave. & drive about 1.6 miles (from 85 S, turn LF on Camden; from 85 N, turn LF on Branham, then LF on Camden). Turn RT on Hicks Rd. & continue about 6.3 miles—turn RT on Mt. Umunhum Rd. & park in the lot on the RT.
TARWATER FLAT Take Page Mill Rd. W to Skyline Blvd/Hwy 35. Continue across to Alpine Rd. At the Portola Park turnoff, stay RT heading towards Pescadero Road. Within 1 mile, turn LF onto a narrow lane signed “Men’s Correctional Facility/Pescadero Creek County Park”, (near a vineyard & gates #7555 & #7620). Trailhead parking area on LF after about 1 mile.
This site was last updated 04/13/10 |
