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
Lake Lompico crew Environment Local News Outdoors 

Lake Lompico: A Labor of Love

Restoration and Demonstration Project in Progress  By Julie Horner Through the San Lorenzo Valley Native Habitat Restoration Program under the auspices of the Valley Women’s Club, the Lompico Pond Restoration and Demonstration Project involves a group of dedicated outdoor enthusiasts who have been meeting on the last Saturday of every month to restore a small mountain lake. Affectionately known as… Read More
Loch Lomond Felton Opens for Season Outdoors Parks Recreation 

Loch Lomond is Open for the Season

By Mary Andersen Daytrippers rejoice! Loch Lomond, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is open. Administered by the City of Santa Cruz Water Department, the reservoir plays the concurrent roles of supplying drinking water and providing recreational activities. Long enjoyed by boaters, hikers, fisherpeople, picnickers, wildlife watchers, and photographers alike, the park also offers environmental education events for local schools,… Read More
Big Basin Redwoods State Park Fire Recovery Outdoors Parks Recreation 

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Update

California State Parks staff continues to move forward with the Big Basin Redwoods State Park Facilities Management Plan (BBFMP). Site planning and design considerations are in the works with the Reimagining Big Basin project team engaging stakeholders and the public in the recovery from the August 2020 CZU fires. A round of public meetings and an open house are to… Read More
bonny doon ecological reserve moon rocks Bonny Doon Hikes Outdoors Recreation 

A Visit to Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve

By Julie Horner Taking advantage of the early spring warmth among the protected Santa Cruz Sandhills at Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve, I strode out onto the moderately sloped 2.3-mile Silver Leaf Loop, which follows the Reserve perimeter through chaparral, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer. The loop takes about an hour to walk, or you can take a shortcut on the… Read More