Morro Bay State Parks Museum of Natural History

Are you looking for something to do this month? Check these possibilities for some great outdoor fun.

Adventures With Nature Outings for April

Hosted by San Luis Obispo Coast District State Parks Docents

E=Easy = Under 1 mile, usually level ground.
M=Moderate = 1 to 3 miles, moderately level ground.
A=Active = 3 miles and/or difficult terrain.
S=Strenuous = Difficult, requires high degree of fitness.
H=Hike = Active to strenuous, no intrepretation.
T=Talk = Talk or Lecture.
*=Poison Oak = Poison oak in the area.
* indicates possible presence of poison oak
Rain or Bad weather cancels outdoor activities
All duration times are approximate
No dogs, please

April 1, Mon., 9:00 am Intertidal Life at Hazard Reef Walk through coastal scrub and sand dunes to the beach to see seaweeds and marine animals and learn a little about the geology of the area. Meet in the Hazard Canyon parking lot on the right side of the road, 1.6 miles south of the Montana de Oro State Park entrance sign. Look for the announcement board propped against the tree. Dress in layers, and wear non-skid shoes that can get wet. (A) 1 mi., 3 hr.

April 3, Wed., 10:00 am Montaña de Oro Bluff and Tide Pool Nature Walk Walk the Bluffs and look for whales, birds, otters and seals. You will be enlightened about some local history on the walk. Then explore the tidepool and its inhabitants at Corallina Cove at low tide. Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers for the coast, and bring binoculars. Meet at the trailhead, 200 yards south of the Visitor Center at the Montana de Oro State Park. (*A) 2mi, 2 hours

April 5, Fri., 9:00 am Work-Out Hike Horse Camp Road to Barranca Lookout Approximately 5 miles and 700 foot elevation gain. We hike up Horse Camp Road and take the Manzanita Trail, to Barranca Trail Look out. There is a picnic table where we can stop and enjoy a snack and the view. We return on the East Boundary Trail. These are well maintained trails that have good footing. Wear sturdy shoes and sun protection: bring water, snack, and hiking poles if desired. We may encounter poison oak and ticks. Park in the turnout 1/10 mile from Montana de Oro entrance sign. Join yhoo.it/work-out-hikes to receive email reminders of AWN hikes in the workout series. (*S) 5 miles, 2.5 hours

April 5, Fri., 9:30 am Hike the Coon Creek Burn Walk through the landscape burned in November 2012 and observe the recovery of the plants. Look for "fire-followers" and flowering plants in unusual abundance. Observe the sprouting of charred shrubs and trees. Meet in Montana de Oro State Park at the end of the Pecho Road in the Coon Creek parking lot. Bring water and wear sturdy walking shoes. (*M) 3 miles, 2-3 hours

April 6, Sat., 10:00 am The Otter Information Station! View otters in the waters of Morro Bay, visit our information station, and learn about these incredible creatures from the museum docents! Located at Morro Rock in Morro Bay. Look for the exhibit and spotting scopes on Coleman Drive (at the end of the boardwalk and across from the restrooms), near the base of the Rock. (E) 2 Hours

April 9, Tue., 10:00 am Birding on the Boardwalk Bring your binoculars and enjoy identifying shorebirds and other birds seen at the marina while being on the elevated boardwalk. Spotting scopes will also be available and helpful if you have your own. This walk is a disabled accessible approved walk. Beginning birders welcome. Park close to the southeast end of the marina parking lot across from the MB campground restrooms. Dress in layers for the weather, and bring field guides if possible. Rain Cancels (E) 1 mile, 1.5 hours

April 9, Tue., 2:00 pm Sketch Walk (Morro View) Walk through coastal dune scrub at the foot of the morros. Enjoy views of Hollister Peak and Cerro Cabrillo, stopping to draw the plants or the landscape. No drawing experience necessary. Bring a pad of drawing paper (no larger than 9" by 12"), colored pencils or pastels, and some water to drink. Consider bringing a camera too. Meet at the east end of El Morro Street in Los Osos (north side of Los Osos Middle School). (M) 1 mile, 2 hours

April 10, Wed., 10:00 am Montaña de Oro Bluff Nature Walk Take a pleasant hike along the Bluff Trail for magnificent views and see a variety of birds, plants and sea life. Binoculars helpful. Meet at Bluff Trailhead, some 100 yards south of the MdO Ranger/Information/Ranch House, on Pecho Road. (*A) 2 mi., approx. 3 hours

April 10, Wed., 1:00 pm Salt marsh to Mudflats Follow a path from the State Park Marina through native plants to the salt marsh and on to the mud flats. Learn the history of the salt marsh, and see the plants and animals living in and on these specialized environments. Dress for heat, wind and mud. Bring binoculars. Park close to the southeast end of the marina parking lot or across the street by the MB campground restrooms. (E) 0.5 mi., 2 hr.

April 11, Thu., 1:00 pm Discover Magnificent Morro Rock Explore the beauty of Morro Rock and learn about its geology and history and the animals that live on and near the rock. Meet at the rest rooms in the parking lot in front of the rock. (E) .5mi., 1-1.5hr.

April 12, Fri., 9:00 am Magnificent Coastal Live Oaks Hike through coastal sage scrub to a pocket woodland of California Coastal Live Oaks. Experience beautiful vistas of the estuary and back bay while looking for seasonal wildflowers along the way. Meet at the Chumash Trail on Turri Road about 1/3 mile off South Bay BLVD. Wear mosquito repellent. (*M) 2miles, 2 hours

April 12, Fri., 9:00 am Work Out Hike Valencia, Oats, Alan Peak There has been a lot of interest in hiking Alan Peak. You will have the option to going as far as Valencia or Oats Peak if you don't want to do the entire hike of 10 miles, 2,000 foot elevation gain in 4 hours. Wear sturdy shoes and sun protection: bring water, snack, and hiking poles if desired. We may encounter poison oak and ticks. Park at the Ranch House, 2.6 miles from Montana de Oro entrance sign. All our hikes are posted at http://ccspa.info/awn. Join yhoo.it/work-out-hikes to receive email reminders of AWN hikes in the workout series. (S*) 10 miles, 4 hours

April 13, Sat., 11:00 am The Pecho Sewing Society After extensive renovation, the Spooner ranch house will be the meeting place for the April meeting of the Pecho Sewing Society. We will gather at 11:00 on Saturday April 13th for our stitching of redwork blocks. Everyone is welcome...we can and will teach All the wonderful outline stitch used for our blocks. The theme of our blocks is the history of the Spooner ranch. Each kit is $10 and everything you need is included. We also end our gathering with a bowl of soup and bread. 11am

April 13, Sat., 11:00 am White's Point Vistas Enjoy a short, but steep walk to view the estuary and learn about the forces that have created this watery world that serves as home to hundreds of marine and terrestrial animals. Learn why in the past century the estuary has lost 25 percent. Dress for wind. Meet at Morro Bay Natural History Museum entrance. (M) 1/2mi., 3/4 hr.

April 15, Mon., 10:00 am Los Osos Oaks Reserve Enjoy a shaded stroll through ancient forest. See native plants and evidence of Chumash habitation. Learn colorful historical background. Meet at Reserve entrance, 0.7 miles east of South Bay Blvd. on Los Osos Valley Road. (*E) 1 mi., 1.5 hr.

April 18, Thu., 9:30 am Harmony Headlands History & Wildlife Walk Walk through a ranch landscape, past extensive wetlands, to a rugged coast. Learn the history of the land and its people. See a variety of plants. Discover its current occupants. Meet at the entrance parking lot, 5 miles north of Cayucos. (M) 3miles 2 hours

April 19, Fri., 9:00 am Work Out Hike Bloody Nose, Sandspit, Beach Loop 5 miles, 700 foot elevation gain, 2.5 hours. From the Hazard Reef Parking lot we head up to the Bloody Nose Trail and find our way to the Sandspit Trail leading to the beach. Return is along the shore to the Hazard Reef trail back to the parking lot. Wear sturdy shoes and sun protection: bring water, snack, and hiking poles if desired. There may be ticks and poison oak on the trail. Meet at the parking lot, 1.6 miles from Montana de Oro entrance sign. You can find all our hikes posted at: http://ccspa.info/awn. Join yhoo.it/work-out-hikes to recieve email reminders of AWN hikes in the workout series. (S*) 5 miles, 2.5 hours

April 20, Sat., 8:00 am Birding Multiple Habitats Observe birds on a short hike along the seashore, creek, wetlands, chaparral and pine forest habitats. Suitable for birders with all levels of experience. Bring binoculars, bird identification books helpful. Meet in the Washburn day use parking lot north of Cambria on the east side of Hwy 1 just south of San Simeon Creek. (*M) 2 mi 3 hrs

April 20, Sat., 11:00 am White's Point Vistas Enjoy a short, but steep walk to view the estuary and learn about the forces that have created this watery world that serves as home to hundreds of marine and terrestrial animals. Learn why in the past century the estuary has lost 25 percent. Dress for wind. Meet at Morro Bay Natural History Museum entrance. (M) 1/2mi., 3/4 hr.

April 21, Sun., 10:00 am Grand Dune Trail A leisurely walk through the Pismo Dunes. Learn about the dunes and various habitats close to the ocean. Meet at the entrance kiosk at the ocean end of Grand Avenue, Grover Beach. Free parking is available. (*M) 2 mi., 2 hr.

April 22, Mon., 9:00 am Native Plant Gardens & Oceano Lagoon Become acquainted with native plants of our county and Pismo State Beach on a stroll by the native plant gardens. Enjoy the beauty of Oceano Lagoon and learn about its flora and fauna. Meet at the Nature Center at the entrance to the Oceano Campground, Pismo State Beach. (M) 1.5 mi., 2 hr.

April 24, Wed., 9:30 am Hike the Coon Creek Burn Walk through the landscape burned in November 2012 and observe the recovery of the plants. Look for "fire-followers" and flowering plants in unusual abundance. Observe the sprouting of charred shrubs and trees. Meet in Montana de Oro State Park at the end of the Pecho Road in the Coon Creek parking lot. Bring water and wear sturdy walking shoes. (*M) 3 miles, 2-3 hours

April 25, Thu., 10:00 am Montaña de Oro Bluff Nature Walk Take a pleasant hike along the Bluff Trail for magnificent views and see a variety of birds, plants and sea life. Binoculars helpful. Meet at Bluff Trailhead, some 100 yards south of the MdO Ranger/Information/Ranch House, on Pecho Road. (*A) 2 mi., approx. 3 hours

April 26, Fri., 9:00 am Magnificent Coastal Live Oaks Hike through coastal sage scrub to a pocket woodland of California Coastal Live Oaks. Experience beautiful vistas of the estuary and back bay while looking for seasonal wildflowers along the way. Meet at the Chumash Trail on Turri Road about 1/3 mile off South Bay BLVD. Wear mosquito repellent. (*M) 2miles, 2 hours

April 26, Fri., 9:00 am Work-Out Hike Turri Road to Turtle Rock 7 miles, 800 foot elevation gain, 3 hours. We will explore the trails of the Eastern Morro Bay State Park. This is a beautiful and little used area of State Park property. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, a snack, sun protection, and trekking poles if desired. Park at the trailhead turnout on Turri Road approx. 1/4 mile from South Bay Blvd. You can find all our hikes posted at: http://ccspa.info/awn/. Join yhoo.it/work-out-hikes to receive email reminders of AWN hikes in the workout series. (*S) 7 miles, 3 hours

April 27, Sat., 2:00 pm Black Hill Trail Walk the most accessible of the volcanic sisters while we discuss their history and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding geography from atop the hill. Take Golf Course Drive past the clubhouse and bear left at fork in road. Meet at the overlook parking lot above Morro Bay Golf Course. (M) 0.5mi., 1-1.5hr.

April 27, Sat., 2:00 pm Weekend Scientists: Off the Docks Learn about the diverse community of living things that make their home on local boat docks and the microscopic organisms that they depend upon for food. You will learn to use both dissecting microscopes and compound microscopes to view these fascinating organisms. Meet at the Morro Bay Natural History Museum auditorium. (T) 2 Hours

April 28, Sun., 10:00 am The Otter Information Station! View otters in the waters of Morro Bay, visit our information station, and learn about these incredible creatures from the museum docents! Located at Morro Rock in Morro Bay. Look for the exhibit and spotting scopes on Coleman Drive (at the end of the boardwalk and across from the restrooms), near the base of the Rock. (E) 2 Hours

April 29, Mon., 9:00 am Intertidal Life at Hazard Reef Walk through coastal scrub and sand dunes to the beach to see seaweeds and marine animals and learn a little about the geology of the area. Meet in the Hazard Canyon parking lot on the right side of the road, 1.6 miles south of the Montana de Oro State Park entrance sign. Look for the announcement board propped against the tree. Dress in layers, and wear non-skid shoes that can get wet. (A) 1 mi., 3 hr.

April 30, Tue., 9:00 am Life and Times on the Shore Along Morro Strand to North Point rocky shore, observe life on the shore and in the tide pools and learn about seasonal changes on the beach. Bring binoculars, wear sturdy beach shoes and layered clothing.Take Hwy.1 north to Yerba Buena exit to meet at Morro Strand State Beach entrance station in North Morro Bay. (M) 1 mi., 1.5 hr. For more information call the Morro Bay

Natural History Museum - 772-2694

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