mushroom month Local News Outdoors 

Mushroom Foraging in Santa Cruz County: A Beginner’s Safety-first Guide

By Mary Andersen Mushroom foraging is one of those outdoors adventures that pairs well with drizzle, redwoods, and a hot thermos of tea. Now through February is the most productive time for mushroom hunting in our area. Santa Cruz County’s damp winters reward patient eyes – but tasty fungi come with real risks. If you’re new, start slow, learn locally,… Read More
Outdoors Parks Recreation 

Miller Property County Park

Secluded Boulder Creek Property Opens to the Public By Mary Andersen and Julie Horner Here in the Santa Cruz Mountains, we’re blessed with a multitude of beautiful open spaces to explore – state and local parks, conservation areas, thousands of trails and plenty of riverside beaches. Now, a Boulder Creek property long earmarked for broader public access has officially joined… Read More
blue lupine at quail hollow ranch park Hikes Outdoors Photography Recreation 

Lupine and Wild Iris at Quail Hollow Ranch

Lupin near the Discovery Loop at Quail Hollow Ranch Park in Felton, and the wild Iris are having a field day! Photos by Julie Horner If You Go Quail Hollow Ranch County ParkPark informationScenic nature preserve on 300 acres with a visitors center. Enjoy organized walk and educational programs.Public restroom · Picnic tables Address: 800 Quail Hollow Rd, Felton, CA… Read More
Outdoors Recreation 

Quail Hollow Ranch Pace Family Wilderness Trail

Sign up to volunteer for the Quail Hollow Ranch County Park Trails Construction project, a trail-building endeavor that will expand the Quail Hollow’s existing 4.5-mile trail network into the Pace Family Wilderness, a 79.5-acre parcel that was gifted to County of Santa Cruz Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services in 1997.  This phase of construction focuses on the… Read More
quail hollow ranch county park Outdoors Photography Recreation 

Winter Hike at Quail Hollow Ranch

A recent “winter warmer” hike at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park featured plenty of blue sky and birdsong. From the Visitor Center:Lower Chapparal Trail > Sunset Trail to the Overlook > Woodrat Trail Quail Hollow Ranch County Park800 Quail Hollow Rd, Felton, CA 95018Directions/mapCounty Parks website Photos by Julie Horner ***Have photos or a favorite hike to share? The team at… Read More
low impact camping ordinance Fire Local News Outdoors 

Low Impact Camping Ordinance

UPDATE: Supervisor Zach Friend’s controversial “Low-Impact Camping Ordinance” was rejected at today’s county Board of Supervisors meeting. Supervisors Manu Koenig, Justin Cummings, Felipe Hernandez, and Bruce McPherson instead urged waiting for the result of Senate Bill 620 – the state’s camping ordinance, guidance from the insurance commissioner on impact to insured homeowners, and input from stakeholders. The final vote was… Read More