category: Guide

Fire Ecology Resources

In August 2020, Northern California was ignited by a series of 650 wildfires spurred by dry lightning from rare, massive summer thunderstorms....

Animal Tracking

Spotting wildlife can be tricky! You can still learn about the animals around us by looking for clues. Print out the Santa Cruz...

Drawing Dinosaurs

Think of your favorite dinosaur. Tyrannosaurus? Triceratops? Parasaurolophus? If you visualize it in your mind, you might be surprised to realize that...

Explore the Geology of West Cliff

Use this guide for your next walk along West Cliff Drive to learn the geologic history of one of the most iconic...

Exploring Neary Lagoon

Neary Lagoon Wildlife Refuge is a beloved park nestled at the heart of Santa Cruz. Once a true lagoon (with an open...

Sourgrass Natural Dye Video Tutorial

Monterey Bay Algae Guide

Dip your toes into the world of algae with this illustrated guide to local species and foraging ethics. What's an algae? Like...

Rock Types of Santa Cruz County

The three basic types of rocks — igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary — occur in Santa Cruz County. All are composed of minerals. Some consist of primarily one...

Guide to Schwan Lake Trails

Have you heard of or been to Simpkins Swim Center? Did you know that the Simpkins Swim Center is the former site...

A Cyclist’s Guide to the Wildflowers of Santa Cruz

Pedaling to petals, it’s almost too good to be true! Add a little color to your bike ride with this mobile wildflower...

Guide to the Swift Street Outcrop

By Graham Edwards and Gavin Piccione (aka the Geology Gents) Santa Cruz is an ideal place to explore marine and coastal geology,...

Santa Cruz Top 5 Geologic Must-Sees!

Santa Cruz is an area of geologic interest with a complex history of processes that shaped the coastline, bluffs, terraces, and mountains...