Monday, July 20, 2009

Sonoma Coast State Beach

Sonoma Coast State Beach
Sonoma Coast State Beach consist of about 16 miles of Northern California coastline. The weather here is usually mild to cold with lots of wind and fog.

During the summer months, the morning fog usually burns off to create pleasant, sunny afternoons.

 Even during the summer, its wise to dress for the possibility of wet, cold weather. Activites include fishing,
camping and hiking.

During the summer months the Jenner Visitor Center is open on weekends. Learn about the natural and cultural history of area while enjoying a spectacular view of the Russian River.

 Camping—Wright’s Beach Campground has 30 developed sites near the beach. No shower facilities are available. At Bodega Dunes Campground, 98 developed sites have restrooms, a campfire center, hot pay showers and a RV sanitation station. Advance reservations are advised.

 From June through September, camping stays are limited to 10 consecutive days and a total of 30 days annually. Sonoma Coast State Beach Bodega Bay, CA 94923


Monday, July 06, 2009

San Luis Obispo Lighthouse

San Luis Obispo Lighthouse
The Port San Luis Obispo Lighthouse was completed in June 1890, and the light was officially lit for the first time on June 30, 1890. Perched on a cliff overlooking the San Luis Bay the lighthouse is only accessible through a docent led 3.5 mile round-trip hike along the Pecho Coast Trail. Pre-registration online is required for these hikes. The trip to the lighthouse is open to 20 hikers on Wednesdays until October 28th with a departure time of 3:30 PM. Weekend hikes are on Saturdays, the trail is open to 40 hikers for starts at 9 AM. Parking is at the Port San Luis Harbor parking lot located at the base of the pier. Adults $5, Family rate, parent(s) with children under the age of 18 $10, and children 12 and under are FREE. Lighthouse items, light snacks and bottle water are available for purchase at the gift shop.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Seymour Marine Discovery Center Santa Cruz


Seymour Marine Discovery Center is located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California. The center is part of the Long Marine Laboratory and is open to the public every day except Monday. Inside, the center offers a look at the marine world surrounding the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. One of the most striking exhibits at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center is a huge 87-foot long Blue Whale skeleton.
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center has four different exhibits: looking, testing, puzzling, questioning. These try to show the visitors what scientists do, and how they go about their research.

The Looking Exhibit: This exhibit “offers thematic interactive experiences and adventures in a wide variety of scientific fields for visitors of all ages, and in nine different languages.” These displays try to give the viewers a “hands-on” experience, and try to show how a scientist does his or her research out in the field. There are three different parts to this exhibit:

Elephant Seals field studies
Coastal Geographical Processes
Tidepool Ecology: Long-term Observations
The Testing Exhibit: At this exhibit there are three displays and instruments used by scientists to collect data and samples for a variety of things: investigating life on Earth, they are used in the depths of the oceans, with marine mammals in water and air, and to sample the environmental toxins that accumulate everywhere. The three displays are:

Ocean Drilling Project (ODP)
Pinniped Sensory Abilities
Heavy Metals in the Environment
The Puzzling Exhibit:

Marine Snow Studies
Otter and Killer Whale Interactions
The Questioning Exhibit: The questioning aspect of the center is incorporated with the aquarium. On each tank, which houses an animal, there is a question relating to that animal which the scientists have to ask themselves. Some examples of these questions are: “How smart is an octopus? What does this crab do when it outgrows its shell? What survival techniques do sand dabs use to escape hungry predators?”

Days and Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Sunday, noon to 5 PM
Closed Monday
Admission:
Adult $6
Student or Senior (64+) $4
Child (4-16) $4
First Tuesday of each month free admission

Located at the End of Delaware Avenue
100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060