Whether you're a dancer, spectator or toe-tapper, take the family dancing! A week full of choices is beginning today.

Dancing in the Streets is today, Thursday, April 20th! Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of spectacular dance performances by artists from all over Santa Cruz County! Full schedule >

Earth Day Celebrations are coming up for us outdoor fans. Surrounded by so much beauty -from the tiniest flower to the loftiest mountains, the magnificent ocean, our own gardens, the birds singing- how could we ever resist and support earth's restorative power for our well-being.

Mount Madonna School has invited our community to its annual Summit for the Planet, a family event full of activities for all ages. It's fun and free! Go!

If your mission was to write "an epic adventure in which the fate of all life on Earth may depend on the bravery of two little seeds" then you and your adventurous children had best take the opportunity (Tuesday, April 25) to meet with Brian Selznick, best selling author of Big Tree.

Coming soon: our Camp 2023 PDF! Our calendar is filling with Spring activities. Enjoy!

by Kate Golden for Bay Nature

The Lyrids are the first meteor shower of the year. You might just get to see some shooting stars . This year’s shower, lasting from April 15-29, will coincide with the moon’s dark phase, giving viewers an extra boost when it comes to spotting some stars.

Obe Lynd—amateur astronomer, Robert Ferguson Observatory docent, and longtime meteor connoisseur—recommends laying on a blanket after midnight and counting them with a clicker. The April event is “not the most prolific meteor shower,” says Lynd, who is giving a talk about the Lyrids on April 22. “But it’s a very interesting meteor shower.” Not least because it’s the first meteor shower recorded, seen in China in 687 BC. Expect mostly medium-speed shooting stars, with the occasional fastball or bright fireball to liven things up. “Fireballs are magnificent,” Lynd says. “They’re brighter than the brightest planet.” Sometimes, they leave a glowing trail.

“Every time we see a meteor, we have encountered something from the origin of our universe,” Lynd says. “And yet it’s only visible to us because we have an atmosphere.” Learn more > > >

Beach weather is on the horizon! Don't miss out on unlimited beach days and purchase a State Park Pass. A California State Park Pass could make your visits easier and more affordable. Park passes are valid for day-use at most state parks and beaches throughout California.

Learn more about State Park Passes: https://thatsmypark.org/visit/state-park-passes/

The mission of Coastal Wildflower Day is to inspire stewardship of diverse, interconnected ecosystems that support thriving coastal wildflower habitats and to celebrate the vital role of volunteer community restoration efforts at our Coastside State Parks, now and in the future.

Learn about our diverse coastal ecosystems in the San Francisco Bay Area and what is being done to protect and preserve them. Try your hand at various interactive activities provided by State and National Park units, environmental groups and coastside community organizations. Visit 12 booths, get your event ‘passport’ stamped, and redeem it for a small prize at the Francis Beach Visitor Center! A face painter will also be available on-site (fee required). Hands-on fun for all ages!

Native plants will be available for purchase at our Francis Beach volunteer-run nursery (cash, check, or credit card). The nursery will also provide sheet mulching demonstrations and native planting sessions for anyone to try! Native plant purchases support habitat restoration efforts at Half Moon Bay State Beach and other Coastside State Parks! Plants will cost $10 each or 5 for $40.00. Seeds packets will also be available for sale.