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In Santa Cruz County, an average year brings 325 bird species here, with the total recorded over the years in the mid-400s. West Cliff Drive and the Wilder Ranch coast offer rocky-shore specialists like Surfbirds and Black Turnstones, plus nesting Pigeon Guillemots and Cormorants on the cliffs. Shorebirds, Gulls, and Terns gather at local river and creek mouths, while the sloughs and lakes in the Pajaro Valley, attract waterfowl including: Herons, White Pelicans, and White-faced Ibis. Bridges along the San Lorenzo River are convenient places to watch Cliff and Northern Rough-winged Swallows. Mornings at Henry Cowell State Park one can hear a Pileated Woodpecker’s “kek.” Bird Club walks: Call:(831)457-8240. santacruzbirdclub.org.
Fall Creek State Park
This densely forested 2,400 acre park has 20 miles of hiking trails along old wagon and logging roads. Stop by the historic lime kiln and barrel mill. On Big Trees Park Road in Santa Cruz. Call: 831-335-4598.
Rancho Del Oso State Park
Located on Hwy 1 in Davenport this 3,000 acre coastal section of Big Basin State Park offers hiking and bicycling along Waddell Creek. Bring your own horse. Call the Nature and History Center for more info. Call 831-427-2288.
Quail Hollow Ranch County Park
Deep in the Santa Cruz Mountains is this 300-acre historic horse ranch and nature preserve, home to 15 habitats and 4.5 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. It contains
a ranch complex with a visitor center,
picnic areas, horse barns, and an orchard. Located at 800 Quail Hollow Road in Felton, this park is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30am to 5pm. Call (831) 335-9348 or email prc120@scparks.com.
UCSC Arboretum
This is one of the most propitious horticultural sites in the world. The climatic and topographical diversity allows experimentation with almost every species grown along the California coast.
It contains 35 Eco-Regions with meandering walking trails between them. Open daily 9am to 5pm. Call (831) 427-2998.
The Redwood Empire
Legendary lm director Alfred Hitchcock once lived in a hilltop house in Scotts Valley and it’s easy to imagine his being inspired by the gently rolling mountains stretching to the shining Paci c beyond. Framed by majestic redwoods in the midst of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the San Lorenzo Valley with its little towns of Felton, Ben Lomand, Brookdale and Boulder Creek are only minutes to the beach and San Jose, and surrounded by many State Parks.
Warm sunny days escape the coastal fog of the beaches. It’s easy to spend a day or more exploring the artisan gift shops, hiking or biking on redwood trails, or shopping and dining at a smorgasbord of boutiques and many restaurants. Whether you come for
an afternoon or a few days, the San Lorenzo Valley has something for everyone!
SUMMER | 2016 11
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