The Seymour Marine Discovery Center, located in Santa Cruz on the bluffs above the Monterey Bay, is a true gem. Don’t expect the grandeur of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but be prepared for a smaller, quieter, more intimate experience here. The location is phenomenal. On a clear day, the views can’t be beat. Inside theContinue reading “Seymour Marine Discovery Center, Santa Cruz”
Category Archives: Travel
Explore the Tide Pools, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
When the tide is low, head out to the rocky, north end of Natural Bridges State Beach to explore the tide pools. Look for sea stars, hermit crabs, sea anemones, sea urchins, and more. So fun! For more information about Natural Bridges State Beach, visit the California State Parks website… http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541 If you’re here betweenContinue reading “Explore the Tide Pools, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz”
Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz
Within Natural Bridges State Beach, in Santa Cruz, you’ll find the Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, a grove of eucalyptus trees where thousands of Monarch Butterflies spend the winter each year. The butterflies may be viewed by taking a short 0.75 mile Monarch Trail loop through the Preserve, or by simply taking the short, wheel-chair accessibleContinue reading “Monarch Butterfly Nature Preserve, Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz”
Crissy Field, San Francisco
On Monday morning, my husband and I went for a run out at Crissy Field in San Francisco (while our so rode his bike). This is my absolute favorite spot to run in the Bay Area. Luckily, it’s also an awesome trail for kids to ride bikes! I took a couple photos from the EastContinue reading “Crissy Field, San Francisco”
Botanic Garden, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley
Another place we love to visit in Tilden Regional Park is the Botanic Garden. I enjoy experiencing the seasonal changes of this garden throughout the year. These images are from our visit on Sunday, November 18th, 2012, on a quiet morning after two days of rain. Interested in going? The Regional Parks Botanic Garden isContinue reading “Botanic Garden, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley”
Jewel Lake Trail, Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley
The Jewel Lake Trail in Tilden Regional Park is a great hike to do with little kids. The loop is about a mile, is mostly flat, and has a fun variety of things to see and do. I like to take my son on this walk whenever we’re in the Tilden Nature Area, usually toContinue reading “Jewel Lake Trail, Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley”
Weekly Photo Challenge: Green
Photos taken November 18th, 2012 Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley *** Weekly Photo Challenge: Green
Feed the Animals! Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley
The Tilden Little Farm, located within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, is a favorite destination for just about every little kid I know. For over a week now, my five-year-old has been begging me to take him there to feed the animals, so we headed over today. Here’s a little history of the Farm, fromContinue reading “Feed the Animals! Tilden Little Farm, Berkeley”
BMX Fun, Memorial Park, San Ramon
A favorite after school activity… playing with friends at the local BMX park! Memorial Park, San Ramon, CA
Silent Saturday: Little Yosemite, Sunol Regional Wilderness
Images from my hike this morning on the trail to Little Yosemite in Sunol Regional Wilderness… You may also enjoy: Silent Saturday: Sunol Regional Wilderness
Silent Saturday: LaRiviere Marsh Trail, Don Edwards S.F. Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Photos from a hike I took this morning with my son at Don Edwards S.F. Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Newark, California . We walked the the short 0.7 mile walk around the LaRiviere Marsh Trail, beginning at the Visitor Center.
Cemetery Fun!
The other day, while playing at Dublin’s Heritage Park, my son suggested we head to the attached cemetery (Dublin Pioneer Cemetery) to look for monsters. Why not? We spent the next hour searching for, running away from, and battling monsters. Here’s a post I wrote last spring about letterboxing (treasure hunting) at this cemetery… Letterboxing: Continue reading “Cemetery Fun!”
Boo at the Zoo, 2012
Yesterday we attended the annual Boo at the Zoo event at the Oakland Zoo. Kids wear their Halloween costumes and participate in a bunch of fun activities. It was a hot day today (back into the 80’s), so I talked my son out of wearing his thick, black ninja costume. The highlight for myContinue reading “Boo at the Zoo, 2012”
Silent Saturday: UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
One of my favorite places to walk with my son… the Botanical Garden at UC Berkeley. He leads. I follow. Interested in what we saw on this visit to the gardens? Check out these posts… Flowers (October) Garden (Fence) The Newts are Back Weekly Photo Challenge: Big
Flowers (October)
Photos taken Sunday, October 21st, 2012 UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
Garden (Fence)
Photos taken Sunday, October 21st, 2012 Crops of the World, UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
The Newts are Back
California Newt, Japanese Pond, UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley… Please see… Newts in the Botanical Garden
Silent Saturday: Trail Through Time, Rock City, Mount Diablo
Photos from a hike in Mount Diablo State Park earlier this week with my Nature Time playgroup. We hiked a section of the Trail Through Time, from the Rock City parking lot to (and up) Sentinel Rock, allowing the kids to climb and play on and in the limestone rock structures and caves as muchContinue reading “Silent Saturday: Trail Through Time, Rock City, Mount Diablo”
Devils Postpile National Monument
If you’re ever in the Eastern Sierras near Mammoth Lakes, you’ve gotta check out Devils Postpile. This place is incredible, and unlike anywhere else I’ve visited in California. The only other place I can personally compare it to is the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland. Both places have these fascinating basalt hexagonal columns. You haveContinue reading “Devils Postpile National Monument”
A Fall Tradition: Corn Picking
For more information about the festival, see my post… This Weekend! Harvest Festival, Ardenwood Historic Farm
Suburban Nature Explorations 