Articles

A California thrasher sings from the top of a bush at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park in San Jose.

Birds with Curved Bills in Silicon Valley

Caitlin Dempsey

Curved-bill birds in Silicon Valley include the California thrasher, long-billed curlew, and American avocet.

A woodpecker with a bright red cap in a tree.

Acorn Woodpeckers at Guadalupe Oak Grove Park

Caitlin Dempsey

Guadalupe Oak Grove Park in San Jose offers trails through oak savanna and woodland, making it an excellent spot to observe acorn woodpeckers.

Hiking along Fall Creek is a visually stunning experience.

Exploring the Fall Creek Unit: A 10-Mile Loop through Henry Cowell Redwoods

Caitlin Dempsey

Explore the quieter Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods, a 10-mile hike featuring lush redwoods, historic lime kilns, and tranquil creekside trails.

A Ponderosa pine growing in the Sandhills.

Santa Cruz Sandhills at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Caitlin Dempsey

The Sandhills at Henry Cowell Redwoods feature ancient marine sand deposits, a rare geological formation dating back over 15 million years.

A concrete walkway to a tunnel in a rock.

Tunnel Trail at Pinnacles

Caitlin Dempsey

For a more strenuous hike at Pinnacles National Park, visitors can traverse the challenging High Peaks Trail that winds up to connect with Tunnel Trail.

A brown and orange bird on a log in a forest.

Varied Thrush – A winter Visitor to the Santa Cruz Mountains

Caitlin Dempsey

In the Silicon Valley area, the varied thrush is a winter visitor typically found in dense forests.

Two black oystercatchers rest on the bluff.

Black Oystercatchers on the Bluffs of Wilder Ranch

Caitlin Dempsey

Black oystercatchers, with their black plumage and bright orange-red-bills, can be founding the coastal ecosystems near Santa Cruz.

A yellow banana slug on a trail with green vegetation in the background.

Banana slugs in Silicon Valley: where to find these forest decomposers

Caitlin Dempsey

Banana slugs are a curious and iconic sight in the damp forests of Silicon Valley’s Santa Cruz Mountains.

A coyote stands in the dried grass.

Coyotes in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Caitlin Dempsey

Coyotes thrive in Silicon Valley’s open space preserves, playing a vital role in local ecosystems. Learn where to see them and how to share the trail safely.

A view of a seasonal pond that is dry with grass.

Zinfandel Trail – Picchetti Ranch Preserve

Caitlin Dempsey

The mostly shaded trails at Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve make it an ideal spot for a hike on a hot day.