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Arboretums, Preserves & Refuges Arboretums, Preserves & Refuges
Astronomy
Astronomical Observing
Dress warm! Even summer nights can be quite cold.
Have a red filter over any light source. Red light does not bother night
vision as much as other colors or white light. A piece of red "cellophane"
wrapped over the end of a flashlight will work great.
Please consider dimming your vehicle's headlights when driving into
the observing areas. Its best to arrive before sundown if you are unfamiliar
with the area. Chabot Space & Science
De Anza Planetarium http://planetarium.fhda.edu/index.html Foothill College Foothill Observatory is open for public viewing every clear Friday evening from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. Visitors can view the wonders of the universe through the observatory's 16-inch reflecting telescope and 6-inch refracting telescope. http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/ast/friday.htm Fremont Peak SP, Off of Highway 156, 11-miles south of San Juan Bautista on San Juan Canyon Road. The park features an astronomical observatory with a 30-inch telescope, which is open for public programs on selected evenings. Observatory Programs: April through October on moonless Saturday evenings starting at 8:00pm. http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=564 Joseph Grant SCCP The Halls Valley Astronomical Group host monthly stargazing at Grant Park. They meet either at Telescope Row or Halley Hill Observatory, both located within Grant. http://www.snap-design.com/HVAG/ Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton Summer Program http://www.snap-design.com/HVAG/ ; Lick Observatory is open to daytime visitors nearly every day of the year from 12:30 to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. The Observatory is closed to the public on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. http://www.ucolick.org/public/visitors.html Sugarloaf Ridge SPThe park is about one hour away from San Francisco and seven miles east of Santa Rosa. The park also houses one of the largest public viewing telescopes; a 40-inch telescope at the Ferguson Observatory. It can be rented with the group campsite for private parties. http://www.rfo.org/
Andrew Molera SP http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/pdf/birdchecklist.pdf Audubon Canyon Ranch Bolinas This thousand-acre wildlife sanctuary has a rich mosaic of natural communities. The number of nests in this colony varies from year to year but usually totals more than 100 pairs, with Great Egrets making up the majority in recent times. http://www.egret.org/preserves_martin_griffin Baylands Park , Sunnyvale Over 60 different species of birds are found throughout the year at Sunnyvale Baylands Park and are listed on the Bird List. Find out more about burrowing owl, a Species of Special Concern. Mammals: Most of the mammals found here are wary of people. Look for droppings of jackrabbits on the path. Signs of gophers and ground squirrels are seen near their many burrows. In the seasonal wetlands, salt marsh harvest mice, an endangered species, may be hiding from hawks overhead.
Moro Bay Moro Bay is also a bird sanctuary with more than two dozen endangered species, including brant, brown pelican, black rail, peregrine falcon and snowy plover. The last estuary of its kind between Mexico and Northern California, Morro Bay is a major stop of the Pacific flyway. More than 70 migratory bird species make their winter home here. http://www.beachcalifornia.com/morro.html Point Pinos Located in Pacific Grove, there have been 336 varieties of birds that have been recorded in this are. http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/pinos.html Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge More than 300 species of birds and mammals, both resident and migratory, use the Refuges. The marshes support fish, frogs, and invertebrates, which are used by grebes, white pelicans, egrets, herons, and bitterns as a food resource. Shorebirds probe the mud for insects, snails, and worms, while raptors prey on the abundant waterfowl, rodents, and small birds. Woodpeckers, marsh wrens, and finches are a few of the many songbirds which feed and nest in the Refuges' cottonwoods, willows, and wetland plants. http://www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/ Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge http://www.fws.gov/refuge/salinas_river/ The refuge is located 11 miles north of Monterey at the confluence of the Salinas River and Monterey Bay. Take the Del Monte Avenue exit from Highway 1 and drive 3/4 mile west to the parking lot. San Mateo County Information about birding in San Mateo. http://birding.sequoia-audubon.org/ Santa Clara Audubon The SCVAS headquarters is located at McClellan Ranch Park, 22221 McClellan Road, in Cupertino http://www.scvas.org/ Santa Cruz County http://www.santacruzbirdclub.org/ This is an informal and interim where-to-bird guide for northern Santa Cruz County. It is interim, because we have tried to meet merely for the time being a widely voiced desire for this information, while a much more substantial and all-county guide to birding makes its way toward eventual publication. When that happens, we will remove this online one. Sonoma County Bodega Bay is probably the hottest birding spot in Sonoma County. More rare birds have been spotted here than in any other area in the County. Owl Canyon, "Hole-In-The-Head" and the bushes below Diekmann's Store have consistently yielded great finds. http://www.madroneaudubon.org/ California County Birding Resource http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/county.htm Geology: Rocks & Fossils Barstow Rockhounding, BLM http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow/rock.html 1. Opal Mountain Black Mountain - 5 miles north of Fossil Bed Road via dirt road . Jasper . Nodules . Opal 2. Mule Canyon - 3 miles north of Yermo . Agate . Borax . Celestite . Jasper . Olivine . Petrified Wood . Satin Spar . Silver . Travertine . Olivine 3. Alvord Mine - 7 miles north of Manix via dirt road . Agate . Calcite . Chalcedony . Jasper . Pyrite 4. Pisgah Crater - 1 mile south of Interstate-40 off of Historic Route 66 . Lava . Volcanic Bombs 5. Cady Mountains - 6 miles north of Pisgah via dirt road . Agate . Chalcedony . Geodes . Jasper 6. Afton Canyon - 1 miles southeast of Afton off ramp via dirt road . Agate . Calcite . Chalcedony . Jasper . Nodules 7. Broadwell Dry Lake - 6 miles north of Ludlow via Crucero Road; west to hilly area . Banded Agate . Moss Agate . Geodes . Jasper . Onyx 8. Halloran Spring - Turquoise Mountain North of Halloran Springs . Azurite . Turquoise Barstow Rockhounding, BLM http://www.ca.blm.gov//needles/rock.htm Flat Top Mountain, Needles DAG This area contains plentiful jasper and can be reached by taking the Water Road exit (Camino) off I-40 and traveling approximately 4 miles south to an intersection with the pipeline road then turning east for 3 miles. Keep in mind the area just to the north of the pipeline road is wilderness and although rock collecting is allowed, motorized travel is not. Turtle Mountain. Parker Dam Desert Access Guide (DAG) The Turtle Mountain Wilderness and surrounding areas have long been known for it's beautiful rocks, good jasper, opalite, and much more. Each rain seems to uncover something new. Three proven locales are Mohawk Spring, Mopah Peaks, and Negro Peak. In addition chalcedony rose and agate can be found on either side of Turtle Mountain Road. Chemehuevi Wash. Parker Dam DAG On the south side of Havasu Lake Road, just 2 miles east of the intersection of power line road, you can find red, yellow, white and brown moss, banded and picture agate, as well as blue opal and agate, and rhyolite. Continue east on for 2.2 miles, then take the dirt road south 1 mile to find colorful agate, brecciated red and white jasper, opalite in pastel shades of pink, yellow, chalcedony rose and crystal-lined geodes. Vidal Junction. Parker Dam DAG The large wash north of U.S. Highway 62 just 2 miles east of Vidal Junction is an excellent site for collecting Chalcedony, which can be found from Highway 95 extending east approximately 1 mile. More can be obtained near the Whipple Mountains, about 4.5 miles to the north. Chambless. Amboy DAG Explore this area in the Marble Mountains for hematite and magnetite, found in reddish-brown iron deposits near mining shafts, and apple green epidote found in the washes. An abandoned quarry yields sizable chunks of limestone and marble. Next canyon has a tiny mountain of garnet, with dark red and brown crystals forming small clusters. Green epidote is scattered about and much of it contains bright metallic hematite blades. Further east is yet another canyon with gray ridge of limestone imbedded with many interesting fossils. To reach this site turn north from Chambless on Mactull Ave. and travel 2.2 miles to the southern foothills of the mountains Marble Mountain Rock collecting area This rock collecting area yields green epidote, dolomite, chrysocolla, chalcedony, serpentine, marble, garnet and specular hematite, iron and kenatite, chalcedony crystals, geodes and gold. You can access this site by taking one of the many dirt roads that lead into the area from R 66 in and around the town of Chambless. Ship Mountains. Amboy DAG Nodular masses of beautifully colored and patterned opalite can be found in the Ship Mountains. The combination of pastel colors and fine quality make this material highly prized by collectors although it is necessary to dig into the blown sand to obtain it. To access this site drive east 12 miles from Chambless on Old Route 66 then turn south on Danby road for 1.7 miles to the old Danby town site. Then drive west for 6.9 miles and turn south. Drive .6 miles. To access the second site drive an additional .4 miles and turn south and drive .9 miles. The last .4 miles to the site require 4 wheel drive or may be covered on foot. Hauser Geode Beds http://www.desertusa.com/magjan98/stories/hauserbeds.html Jade Cove, Big Sur Jade Cove is a day use facility that's part of Los Padres National Forest in Big Sur. California Jade can be found along the coast and collecting is allowed for loose jade. Jade Cove is located on the Big Sur Coast about 35 miles south on Highway 1 from Monterey. Jade available is Jadeite, Serpentine and Nephrite. http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/jade-cove-plaskett-rock-point/
Marble Mountain Fossil Beds. Amboy DAG BLM Needles http://www.ca.blm.gov//needles/rock.htm One of the classic Cambrian trilobite fossil sites in the western U.S. is located at this beautiful outcrop in a 60 foot thick formation over 550 million years old. Trilobites were small marine crustaceans that resembled modern day horseshoe crabs. You can identify the site by the quarry holes and pink, dark green and light brown shale spread along the hillside. By splitting the shale you stand a good chance of finding a complete trilobite. This area can be found by taking historic route 66 to the town site of Chambless then taking Cadiz Rd. approximately 4 miles.. Turn left on the first dirt road and park near the base of the forth ridge and hike the remaining ¾ of a mile to the site. Over the years this site has been used heavily and it is recommended that only one trilobite per person be removed. Mussel Rock, San Mateo County, CA - Take Highway 1 south towards Pacifica. take exit for Skyline by. (35) north. Follow for two miles, turn left onto Westmoor Ave. Turn left again onto Skyline dr. Follow south for 2 miles, until it loops around - it will descends toward the sea. When it ends, take a right. This road goes along the top of the seacliff. 1/4 mile down the road the road splits - take the left road - this leads to the parking lot. When you reach the parking lot, you'll see a long stretch of coastline to the north.
This relaxing walk-through fossil site is located on a large sea cliff in the northern Monterey Bay area in the town of Capitola of Santa Cruz County in Central California. The sea cliff is a geological outcrop named the "Purisima Formation" that spans through the Pliocene Epoch (3 to 5 million years ago). During the same time the first hominids, such as "Lucy", appeared on earth. Mollusk shells of at least 55 different species are abundant through a distance of approx. 3000 feet. Fossils to be collected are razor clams, cockles, geoduck-type clams, small gastropods, moon snails, sand dollars (astrodapsis??), Balanus(up to 3", in colonies - one locality), cetacean skeletal elements (uncommon), and shark teeth - C. carcharias, Carcharocles megalodon, and Isurus planus (very very rare) Tools and Equipment Required Geological Hammer Chisel Goggles (important if chiseling hard rocks) Helmet (just in case - for working close to the cliff) Carry bag Petrified Trees, Napa Valley http://www.petrifiedforest.org/ This site is located in the Napa Valley in Sonoma County, just north of San Francisco. It's named 'The Petrified Forest' and is registered as California Historical Landmark #915. It's privately owned and tour services are available. There is no collecting allowed in the tour area. However, the Store/Museum sells a great variety of petrified wood and other very interesting fossils. Pleasanton, Alameda County, CA - on Pleasanton-Sunol road, 500 feet south of railroad overpass, large extensive railroad cut exposing vertically tilted strata of the lower Miocene Briones fm. - cockles, clams, astrodapsis brewerianus, annelid colonies, unnamed gastropod, and (very rare) desmostylus sp. teeth. From Pleasanton-Sunol Road, take this south for approx. 1 mile. You will cross under a railroad bridge for the Union Pacific Railroad, and 400 feet or so beyond that will be a cliff 100 feet east of the road, on the other side of the tracks. Red Rock Canyon State Park the canyon is considered a wonderful classroom for the study of geology, paleontology, and photography as well as an ideal place for family camping and exploration. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=631
San Mateo Co., CA - Portola Valley, 200 feet upriver from junction with San Francisquito on banks of Toroges Creek - unconsolidated layers and cemented stratum layers of fins grained sandstone, middle Miocene temblor formation - balanus sp. Fossils are sand dollars, clams, cockles, and petrified wood. San Francisquito Creek, San Mateo County. Take highway 280 north or south to the Alpine road exit. Take this east. Drive 1/4 mile and park at the first turnout on the right. Follow the pedway to the bridge, and San Fransisquito creek is the creek below. Take a trail down, and follow the creek. Middle Miocene. Fossils are mussels. Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz Co., CA - take highway 17 south from San Jose, take Mt. Herman exit north to S.V., take Scotts valley drive right and then first left onto bean creek road. Go north for 1.5-2 miles, until you reach a very large exposure with sand showing signs of extensive digging, and very large/long shoulder. Use a sieve, look for sand dollars astrodapsis tumidus, snails - Thais lamella?, and shark teeth (Isurus hastalis) as well as isolated bone frags. Upper miocene Santa margarita formation. Tribolite Fossils Needles This beautiful fossil site is located near the base of a mountain in the Marble Mountains range, located 2.4 miles from the historic Route 66 in the Mohave Desert of San Bernardino County, California. The trilobites are located in a 60 foot thick formation named the Latham Shale close to the base of the mountain and inside the Early Cambrian age (approx. 560 million years ago). Turtle Mountain Parker Dam Desert Access Guide (DAG) The Turtle Mountain Wilderness and surrounding areas have long been known for it's beautiful rocks, good jasper, opalite, and much more. Each rain seems to uncover something new. Three proven locales are Mohawk Spring, Mopah Peaks, and Negro Peak. In addition chalcedony rose and agate can be found on either side of Turtle Mountain Road. Vidal Junction Parker Dam DAG The large wash north of U.S. Highway 62 just 2 miles east of Vidal Junction is an excellent site for collecting Chalcedony, which can be found from Highway 95 extending east approximately 1 mile. More can be obtained near the Whipple Mountains, about 4.5 miles to the north. Fossil website http://www.colossal-fossil-site.com/index.html Ano Nuevo SR http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=523 Ano Nuevo is famous for the colony of Elephant Seals that use the beach in the winter months. Reservations are required. Elephant Seal Walk Baylands Preserve, Palo Alto Baylands Preserve is the largest tract of undisturbed marshland remaining in the San Francisco Bay. Fifteen miles of multi-use trails provide access to a unique mixture of tidal and freshwater habitats. Many consider this area to be one of the best bird watching areas on the West Coast. http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/csd/parks/preserves/baylands.asp
The Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association The Sanctuary contains vital nursery an spawning grounds for fish and shellfish. At least 36 species of marine mammals have been observed here. Twenty-five endangered and threatened species live within its borders. The Sanctuary is also a feeding ground for endangered blue and humpback whales. http://www.farallones.org/
Marine Mammal Center, Marin Headlands Since 1975, over 9,000 animals have been rescued and treated at our hospital facility. Each year marine science education programs and events reach over 60,000 school children. Groups of 10 or more should contact the Education Department several weeks in advance to schedule a visit. Groups may schedule a self-guided visit free of charge or pay for a guided education program. For more information about our group programs, please contact our Education Department at 415.289.7330 or visit our group programs page. Tours must be scheduled during our regular visiting hours of 10 am to 4 pm. Monterey Bay Aquarium Located along Cannery Row in Monterey, the Monterey Bay Aquarium features a large number of marine habitats including kelp forests and shoreline displays. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/ Marine Sanctuaries http://www.sanctuaries.nos.noaa.gov/welcome.html Montana de Oro State Park This park features over 8,000 acres of rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including 1,347-foot Valencia Peak. At the Ocean Bluffs Trail, climb down to the beach to explore the tidepools. You can't miss the giant-size flourescent lime green sea anemones, plus turban snails, rock crabs and sea stars. Webpage National Wildlife Refuge System Pacific Region http://www.fws.gov/pacific/refuges/ Natural Bridges State Park Further along the beach, tidepools offer a glimpse of life beneath the sea. Low tides reveal sea stars, crabs, sea anemones, and other colorful ocean life. During the spring and summer months, visitors can take a tide pool walk on the rare rocky shore habitat of Natural Bridges and learn about the unique natural community that resides in the inter-tidal zone. These tours are offered on every weekend with low tides. http://www.santacruzstateparks.org/parks/natbridges/index.php O'Neil Sea Odyssey, Monterey The Sea Odyssey program is a 3-hour learning experience that takes place aboard the 65-foot Team O’Neill catamaran with follow-up lessons at the shore-side Education Center. http://www.oneillseaodyssey.org/learning/
Partington Cove & Canyon Partington Cove Trail
begins 1.8 miles north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park entrance
at the point where Highway 1 crosses Partington Creek.waters of the
cove. From an iron gate, follow the dirt road that drops down into
the canyon cut by Partington Creek, then cross the creek on a wooden
footbridge and pass through a hundred-foot-long tunnel that was blasted
through the rocky cliffs. Point Lobos State Reserve Over two hundred fifty different animal and bird species, and over three hundred fifty plant species have been identified at the Reserve. http://pointlobos.org/ Point Pinos, Pacific Grove This viewing area has the nickname "The Great Tidepool" and was even referred to in one of John Steinbeck's novels. http://www.montereybay.com/creagrus/pinos.html Salt Point State Park This viewing area has the nickname "The Great Tidepool". Lots of other nature here too! http://www.stateparks.com/salt_point_state_park_in_california.html Modified January 23, 2016 |
