CSPA Highlights From Last Year
Your donations helped fund these important projects in 2023!
Seal Adventures and Sunrise Photography Tours
Events at Año Nuevo State Park provide unique views of Elephant Seals.
The Power of Giving
Your donations go directly to help our local state parks.
A New Roof for the Fog Building
Historic structure now protected from the elements.
Tafoni and Tidepools
This easy hike at Bean Hollow State Beach is a family favorite.
Erosion and Climate Change will shape our Coastside State Parks
First time visitors to any of our Coastside beaches might believe that how they see them today is how they have always been — beautiful examples of California’s dramatic seascape. The reality is that while they may have always been stunning, the shape of the coastline is constantly changing, and in many cases, quite quickly.
Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park
Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park is the least known and most under appreciated state park in San Mateo County. Mills Creek tumbles more than a thousand feet down the steep western slopes of Cahill Ridge and then meanders through a broad valley and past a historic barn as it approaches the park entrance on Higgins Canyon Road.
Coastal Explorers – CSPA’s New Program for Schools
One of Coastside State Parks Association’s most fulfilling programs was launched this year – the introduction of school children to the natural wonders of our coast. CSPA’s program, “Coastal Explorers,” was made possible by a grant from Parks California and extensive support by California State Parks.
Another Wildflower Book V2
Bill Ketterlin is a docent at Año Nuevo and from his own words in the introduction, “the work of creating the book was very personal” to him. “It started out to be simply a flower identification book to help identify plants along the trails at Año Nuevo State Park and Preserve. It isn’t meant to be the definitive go-to reference, but a starting place.”
Elephant Seals
Fun Facts and Special Viewing Opportunities
Let’s start with some history. Northern elephant seals live in the waters along the west coast of North America. They were hunted to near extinction in the late 1800s. Whalers sought to harvest their thick layer of blubber as an oil source, and found them easy targets.