From birding to beach cleanups, more than 200 events celebrate parks, June 12–16
Will you hike through the redwood forest by starlight? Try out Qi Gong or forest bathing? Participate in a beach cleanup or a bioblitz? Whatever you fancy, there’s a fun way to participate in the third annual California State Parks Week, June 12-16, presented by Save the Redwoods League, California State Parks, Parks California, and California State Parks Foundation.
This year’s theme, “This Is Where You Live,” celebrates the fact that state parks belong to all Californians—and that we’re fortunate to have the largest, most diverse park system in the country, with 280 incredible parks stretching from sunny beaches to snowy mountains, through dramatic deserts and spectacular redwood forests.
State Parks Week is a special time for the League, given our shared history and continued partnership with California State Parks in protecting the coast redwood and giant sequoia forests for people from all walks of life to enjoy. The League was on the scene when the park system was established back in 1927, and we’ve helped create and expand many of the state’s finest parks and preserves, including Prairie Creek Redwoods, Humboldt Redwoods, Big Basin, and Calaveras Big Trees.
More than 200 state park events to choose from
This year’s events lineup is divided into theme days that highlight different aspects of our relationship with state parks, from the boost these beautiful outdoor spaces bring to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being, to our shared responsibility to care for protected lands and build California’s climate resilience.
For die-hard forest fans, we’ve gathered all the events happening in redwood and sequoia parks, below. A complete list of the week’s events and how to participate is available at CAStateParksWeek.org.
(P.S. Share your pictures on social media using the hashtag #castateparksweek)
Wednesday, June 12: “Explore New Experiences”
Sierra Nevada
- Nature Journaling at Calaveras Big Trees SP
- North Grove History Walk at Calaveras Big Trees SP
Central Coast
- Big Sur River Gorge Exploration at Pfeiffer Big Sur SP
- Redwood RX: Forest Qi Gong at Henry Cowell Redwoods SP
San Francisco Bay Area
- Birding for Beginners: A Bird Walk at Mount Tamalpais SP
- Experiencing the Redwoods Through Five Senses at Samuel P. Taylor SP
Sonoma & Mendocino Counties
- Beginners Nature Journaling at Armstrong Redwoods SNR
- Hike the Redwoods Under the Stars at Hendy Woods SP
North Coast
- Watershed Exploration Community Event at Richardson Grove SP
Thursday, June 13: “Nourish Your Health and Well-being”
Sierra Nevada
- Lava Bluffs Trail Guided Hike at Calaveras Big Trees SP
- Bird Walk at Calaveras Big Trees SP
Central Coast
- Buzzard’s Roost Trail Challenge at Pfeiffer Big Sur SP
- Butano Nature Journaling at Butano SP
San Francisco Bay Area
- A Mindful Walk: Outdoor Experience at Jack London SHP
- Forest Bathing at Mount Tamalpais SP
Mendocino County
- Stargazing at Hendy Woods SP
- Beach Story Time Program at Russian Gulch SP
- Junior Rangers – Nourish Your Health and Well-Being at Russian Gulch SP
- Russian Gulch Fern Canyon Hike at Russian Gulch SP
Friday, June 14: “Support Climate Resilience”
Sierra Nevada
- Fire and the Forest Community Guided Hike at Calaveras Big Trees SP
- Junior Rangers and Junior Cubs Program at Calaveras Big Trees SP
Central Coast
- Redwoods on the Edge of Change Campfire Program at Pfeiffer Big Sur SP
San Francisco Bay Area
- Bioblitz & Biodiversity Morning Hike at Mount Tamalpais SP
- Bioblitz & Biodiversity Afternoon Hike at Mount Tamalpais SP
Mendocino County
- Junior Rangers – Support Climate Resilience at Van Damme SP
- Van Damme Campfire Program: All About Our Ocean at Van Damme SP
- Van Damme Story Time at Van Damme SP
VIRTUAL
Saturday, June 15: “Celebrate Community and Culture”
Sierra Nevada
- Celebrate Indigenous Communities at Calaveras Big Trees SP
- Children’s Career Fair at Calaveras Big Trees SP
Central Coast
- Art in the Park at Big Basin Redwoods SP
North Coast
- Sue-meg State Park Village Tour at Sue-meg SP
Sunday, June 16: “Care for Our Shared Lands”
Sierra Nevada
- Junior Rangers and Junior Cubs Program at Calaveras Big Trees SP
Central Coast
- Beach Habitat Restoration Day at Half Moon Bay SP
- Molera Beach Cleanup at Andrew Molera SP
San Francisco Bay Area
- Perk Up in the Park: State Park Weeks Version at Mount Tamalpais SP
Mendocino County
- Redwood Restoration Hike & Father’s Day Beach BBQ at Mendocino Headlands SP
