Butano State Park is Full of Wonders
From peaceful redwoods to inspiring views, and from bats to banana slugs, Butano Park is a hidden park wonderland. Unlike San Mateo County’s many oceanfront state parks, Butano’s tranquility may be due to its location just a few miles inland from Highway 1.
A double win for holiday shopping, birthdays and special events!
The winter holidays are on the horizon and there is always the need to purchase a birthday present or a gift for a new arrival. Not to mention a housewarming or anniversary event. We hope you’ll take a moment to stop by one of our park stores and pick up a unique gift that will be much appreciated while also helping to raise funds for our beloved parks along the San Mateo coast.
Coastside State Parks Association manages three park stores located at Half Moon Bay State Beach, Pigeon Point Light Station and Año Nuevo State Park. Merchandise in the stores is unique and reflective of the spectacular natural resources and rich history of our parks.
At the stores you will find a wide variety of merchandise. The best sellers are logo clothing items including custom tee shirts, hoodies, hats and socks, along with pins and coffee mugs. The stores display many adorable stuffed animals such as otters, octopuses and elephant seals – perfect for the newborn in your world or a birthday gift for a youngster. The stores also carry a great selection of books covering topics ranging from Lighthouse and other local history to local plant, bird, butterfly and animal guides, to the story of the ecosystem of Monterey Bay, many of which are written by local authors. There are also handsome reusable water bottles in case you want to help reduce plastic in our oceans. And don’t overlook the really cool jewelry, postcards and magnets.
Susan Blake: Wildfire Survivor
and Passionate Interpreter
We are proud to feature a California State Parks interpreter, Susan Blake. She was at ground zero when the CZU Lighting Complex wildfire started back in 2020. While she lost her valuables in the wildfire, including her home, she has rebuilt her life since and continues serving the public as well as fueling her love for nature.
Hiking to the Top of Montara Mountain
Montara Mountain, in the northern Santa Cruz Mountains, rises abruptly from the Pacific Ocean near Pacifica. At an elevation of 1,898 feet it offers spectacular views, an abundance of ecological diversity, and some great hiking opportunities.
Jr. Ranger Program at Half Moon Bay State Beach
The California Department of Parks & Recreation offers exciting programs for kids. One such program that all parents of kids 7-12 years old should know about is the Junior Ranger Program at Half Moon Bay. It runs for 12-14 weeks during summer.
CSPA Improves Año Nuevo Access with New Trail Bridges
It was a foggy July morning in 2020 when I met up with Santa Cruz District of State Parks roads and trails supervisor Chris Pereira in the Año Nuevo State Park parking lot. The fog was sufficiently heavy that the island was barely visible. Our purpose in being at the park during the pandemic was to receive delivery of two aluminum truss pedestrian bridges destined for the North Point trail.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse: On the Brink of Restoration
Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a beloved and iconic landmark that has towered dramatically over the San Mateo County coast for 150 years. The tower portion has been fenced off since 2001 for public safety due to serious disrepair, while Its massive, glimmering Fresnel lens beacon is now awing visitors in the adjacent Fog Signal Building.
Looking for a less crowded coastal hiking trail?
Trail maps invite one to explore. On a sunny Tuesday in late January your correspondent, when weary of sheltering from the omicron virus’ winter surge, chose to accept such an invitation after scanning Año Nuevo State Park’s official brochure and its trail map.
Monitoring the Acoustic Environment of Elephant Seals to Study Ocean Sounds
When you think of chimpanzee research, what comes to your mind first? We bet it is the name of Jane Goodall who dedicated her life to the study and preservation of Chimpanzees in the jungles of Africa. How about research on seals? Most likely you are drawing a blank! CSPA is excited to highlight the work of Roxanne Beltran who may well be considered a “seal whisperer.” Roxanne is Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz, where she researches seals in their natural habitats. Although she completed her PhD just three years ago, she has been working with elephant seals, Weddell seals and other marine mammals for over a decade.
Our parks need great docents like you!
The San Mateo coast state parks – especially Pigeon Point, Año Nuevo, Butano and Half Moon Bay – thrive on docent volunteers who love what they do. Año Nuevo, fully staffed, comprises 180 volunteers and Pigeon Point has about 40 who interpret and staff park stores. These and other coastal parks also need trail maintenance, construction, nursery and habitat restoration, camp hosting, and other support. Volunteers are so critical to park operations that many parts of the parks cannot operate without them.
Have you ever wondered who volunteers as docents, or what it takes to be one? You may be surprised to learn how straightforward it is to become a docent, and how realistic it is to fit the role into your schedule. It’s also a great way to “give back” and to share the pleasure that visiting our wonderful San Mateo coastal state parks has brought to you.
The best way to know what it’s like is to hear from experienced docents. Two of them, John Fox at Año Nuevo State Park (where the elephant seals are), and Dan Clearwater at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historical Park, agreed to share their insights about the docent experience.