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Field Trip: Beat the Heat: Wilder Ranch to Pescadero Beach
About this event
Field Trip: Beat the Heat: Wilder Ranch to Pescadero Beach
Friday, June 23, 2023, 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM
The theme of this field trip is a variety of photography opportunities, socializing and beating the summer heat.
See the Schedule Grid below to get a quick overview of where and when we will be a various locations on the coast.
Don't expect to stop at all of the spots mentioned, look at this as giving you options to fit your interest.
NOTE: HWY 84 is still closed. The major highways to take in and out are Hwy 17 into Santa Cruz or Hwy 92 at Half Moon Bay
Try to Carpool
Given the drive times of about 2 1/2 to 3 hours total (going from place and place to and from Palo Alto), many will find carpooling enhances the field trip greatly with better socialization. I'll add some info later to this page to make joining a carpool group easier.
Which First Stop to take?
You have a choice of "official" first destinations. This is to better accommodate differences in how much hiking one wants do on this field trip and how early are you willing to start. You also have the option of looking at the day's schedule and meetup with the group at some other stop that fits your interests and time.
The choices are:
-
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden. This spot stop starts at 10am, so this is the choice if leaving Palo Alto before 8am is too early for you, This is one of the best botanical gardens in the Bay Area, so if you have not been here before and enjoy botanical gardens, consider going here to be introduced to this garden. If you went of the Field Trip here in March, you may want to visit here to see the remarkable banksias and grevilleas
Following locations
Davenport
On the drive to Davenport, before you get there, there are some spots along the coast of potential photography interest. There are two restaurants identified for lunch. While the town is small, you may see some spot of photographic interest.
There are some exception photo spots along the coast of Davenport. I recommend using Google Maps to locate these spots and where to park near Hwy 1. These include (list from South to North - the links are to Google Maps):
Shark Fin Cove
Davenport Cliffs Viewpoint
Davenport Crack
Davenport Cliffs
Davenport Pier
Lunch in Davenport
If you prefer to picnic, there are picnic tables at Swanton Berry Farm north of the town of Davenport.
Here are some restaurant options in Downtown Davenport:
Whale City Bakery Menu
Davenport Roadhouse.
Menu
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
As you drive north from Davenport you will see the lighthouse on the coast.
Pescadero Beach
There are several beaches along the way to Pescadero Beach - these include Bean Hollow (which has two parking lots about 2 miles apart. The Northern parking lot and section of beach is generally thought to be more interesting and is less typical of the coastal beaches.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pescadero Beach
| Time |
Place |
Comment |
Google Maps Link |
Longer Hike
Earlier Start option
9:00am |
Wilder Ranch State Park
Bring your State Parks Pass
https://thatsmypark.org/parks-and-beaches/wilder-ranch-state-park/ |
Limit your time here to 2 hours, so you can continue with other stops.
Checkout the interpretive center as well as the coastal trail.
Plan to leave by 11am to stay on the schedule |
Parking Lot Meetup |
Easy Walk
Later Start Option
10:00am |
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden
What's Blooming
|
When we were here in March, but the cold and wet winter delayed the spring bloom, esp with the remarkable banksias and grevilleas
Plan to leave by 11am to stay on the schedule |
Parking Lot Meetup |
| 12:00pm |
Town of Davenport for Lunch at a restaurant, Street Photography & Coastal Highlights |
Make some coastal stops along the way to the Town. Target lunch at 12pm and plan to depart by 12:45pm
|
Meetup at Davenport Roadhouse |
| Option 1:00pm |
Swanton Berry Farm in Davenport
Many picnic tables to use for lunch, but buy something at the store. Exceptional Strawberries bred for flavor instead of shelf life. Good for grunge farm photos.
Swanton Berry Farm Website |
This is an opportunity for some colorful photography and exception Strawberry products.
Also a place to buy coffee and Strawberry related snacks |
Swanton Berry Farm Meetup |
| 2:15pm |
Pigeon Point Lighthouse |
Classic Coast Lighthouse |
Parking Lot |
| 3:00pm |
Pescadero Beach |
Also see Bean Hollow |
Bean Hollow Parking
Pescadero Beach Parking |
Event Contact(s)
Richard Mirabella
Registration Info
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