Field Trips
Natural Resources DataBase
What Is the Natural Resources DataBase?
The Natural Resources DataBase is a compilation of observations of flora and fauna made at open space and nature preserves and parks in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The database can be searched for available data on flora, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes seen at one or more preserves. The database was designed and implemented by Dennis H. Smith, who also entered and maintains the data. Bill Korbholz adapted the database for Internet use and designed and implemented the web interface. The system was a popular source of lists for use in the field, and provided users with a wide variety of options -- including checklists, plant lists and more.
Although many of the preserves represented in the NRDB are a part of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, MROSD is not affiliated with the NRDB nor is the District responsible for the maintenance, quality, or accuracy of data represented by the NRDB. Collection of specimens on preserves represented in the NRDB requires special permission. Contact the managing agency for more information.
As of its last update on 3/31/2020, the database contained information on 4,510 plant and animal species found on 238 preserves within the greater San Francisco Bay Area. There have been 95,155 sightings recorded to date. Plant lists from NRDB have been copied to PlantID.net and Calflora.
Accessing NRDB lists on PlantID.net
All of the plant lists from nrdb.org are available on PlantID.net under Local Plant ID Lists. Lists from nrdb.org will include "List Source: NRDB.org" under the list name.
Accessing NRDB Observations at Calflora
Tens of thousands of NRDB observations have been transferred to Calflora. The focus of the NRDB is what species are observed at named preserves. The focus of Calflora is where named species have been observed. Calflora provides a mechanism for getting a plant list for a given preserve, but there are currently some caveats. Every species in Calflora is accompanied by observation records. Because NRDB data were entered into Calflora as checklists, you must check the 'include surveys/checklists' box on the Observation or Observation Hotline page. NRDB observations will appear withObserver = Staff, and Source = Natural Resources Database - www.nrdb.org.
Past Field Trips and Reports
Our chapter has an active field trip schedule. We've travelled all over the state and even out of state. You can see a list of some of our trips below. Where available, reports are linked to the trip listings.
Lunch at San Pedro Valley County Park Feb 21, 2016
Completed 2021 field trips
- Jan 1, Año Nuevo State Preserve New Year Hike, San Mateo County
- Sept 19, Beginner’s Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose
- Oct 3, Stevens Creek Trail From Blackberry Farm to Linda Vista Park, Cupertino
- Oct 10, Alum Rock Park Restoration Tour, San Jose
- Oct 16, Martial Cottle Park Master Gardeners’ Tour, San Jose
- Nov 7, Uvas Canyon County Park, Morgan Hill
- Dec 18, Beginner’s Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose
Completed 2020 field trips
- Jan 1, Año Nuevo State Preserve New Year Hike, San Mateo County
- Jan 8, Field Trip Planning Meeting, Palo Alto
- Feb 15, Dirca - Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve, Cupertino
- Feb 23, Hazelnut Trail, Montara Mountain, San Pedro Valley County Park, Pacifica
- Mar 8, Spring Hike on Stile Ranch Trail, San Jose
2019 field trips
- Jan 1, Año Nuevo State Preserve New Year Hike, San Mateo County
- Jan 8, Field Trip Planning Meeting, PCC
- Jan 12, First Wildflowers, Mushrooms, and Newts in Huddart Park, Woodside
- Jan 13, Beginner's Plant Id at Almaden Quicksilver County Park, San Jose
- Feb 9, Fetid Adder’s Tongue, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, Redwood City
- Feb 16, Dirca - Stevens Creek County Park, Saratoga
- Feb 17, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, Morgan Hill
- Feb 28 - Mar 2, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Camping Trip, Borrego Springs
- Mar 16, Monvero Dunes Wildflower Tour, Firebaugh
- Mar 17, San Bruno Mountain State & County Park, Brisbane
- Mar 23 - 24, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Sonoma County
- Mar 24, First Day of Spring Beginner’s Bird and Plant Identification Walk @ Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose
- Apr 3-4, North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve and Feather Falls, Butte County
- Apr 7, Uvas Canyon County Park, Morgan Hill
- Apr 13, Vernal Pool Wildflower Walk, Fremont
- Apr 14, Beginners Wildflower Id Walk @ Stile Ranch Trail, San Jose
- Apr 18, Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve, Cupertino
- May 8, Mount Umunhum with Ken Hickman, Los Gatos
- May 11-15, Lost Coast Backpacking Field Trip, Humboldt County
- Jun 22, Search for Soap Plant - Evening Hike at Pulgas Ridge, Redwood City
- Jun 23, First Day of Summer Beginner’s Bird and Plant Identification Walk at Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose
- Jun 29, Insect & Plant Identification Walk @ Sierra Azul OSP, Los Gatos
- Jul 4 - 7, Ebbetts Pass, Alpine Lake and Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Arnold
- Sep 22, First Day of Fall Beginner’s Bird and Plant Identification Walk @ Lake Cunningham, San Jose
- Sep 22, Data Collection with Calflora at Edgewood, Redwood City
- Nov 17, Beginner’s Plant Id Walk @ Rancho Cañada del Oro, Morgan Hill
- Dec 7, Moss Hike in Almaden Quicksilver Park, San Jose
2018 field trips
- Jan 1, Año Nuevo State Preserve (Hwy 1 coast-southern San Mateo County)
- Jan 8, Annual Field Trip Planning Meeting, PCC.
- Jan 14, Almaden Quicksilver County Park, Plant Communities of the South Bay: Plant Id Walks for Beginners.
- Feb 12, Dirca walk at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Portola Valley.
- Feb 17, Dirca Hike at San Francisco Peninsula Watershed, San Mateo County
- Feb 18, 2018, Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, Morgan Hill - Plant Communities of the South Bay: Plant Id Walks for Beginners (Morgan Hill)
- Feb 19, Dirca walk at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve (San Mateo County)
- Feb 24, Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve, Fragrant Fritillary at Coyote Ridge (Morgan Hill)
- Feb 25, Hazelnut Trail, Montara Mt., San Pedro Valley County Park (Pacifica)
- Mar 1-5, Cancelled
- Sun Mar 4 Lichen Walk at Pedro Point Headlands (Pacifica) (Changed date due to rain)
- Sun Mar 11 Shooting Stars at Grant Ranch (San Jose)
- Mar 18 #1:Beginner’s Bird and Plant Identification Walk Series at Lake Cunningham, San Jose
- Mar 22 Picchetti Ranch OSP, Cupertino
- Mar 25 Field Trip Planning and brainstorming Potluck & Edgewood Hike and leader training (San Mateo County)
- Apr 1 Summit Loop Trail, San Bruno Mountain State and County Park
- April 8 Sweeney Ridge (San Bruno)
- Apr 29, Cañada de los Osos Ecological Reserve, Gilroy
- May 5, Wilder Ranch State Park (Santa Cruz)
- May 5 Loma Fire Hike, x-Rancho Cañada del Oro, rescheduled
- May 19, Coastal Walk at McNee Ranch State Park (San Mateo County)
- May 20, Grass Walk at Los Trancos OSP (Santa Cruz Mountains)
- May 24 - 29 (Memorial Day weekend) Lava Beds National Monument and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (NE CA)
- Jun 3, Redwood Walk at Portola Redwoods State Park (San Mateo County)
- Jun 9, Night Hike at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve (San Carlos)
- June 10, Mount Hamilton Road Trip (San Jose)
- Jun 16, Beginner’s Bird and Plant ID Walk Series at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose) Session #2: First Day of Summer
- July 1-8: Backpacking trips to Mt. Eddy and Big Duck Lake in Russian Wilderness
- July 20-23 Carson Pass ̶ Sierra Wildflowers off Hwy 88 (Alpine County)
- Aug 4-11: Backpacking trips to Little Duck Lake and Campbell Lake (Marble Mtn Wilderness)
- Sep 23: Beginner’s Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose)
- Oct 13 October Native Plant Stroll (San Jose)
- Oct 14 Berries for Birds: a Beginner’s Plant Id & Habitat Walk @ Rancho Canada del Oro (Morgan Hill)
- Nov 25 Uvas Canyon County Park (Morgan Hill) [rescheduled from Nov 17]
- Nov 25 Trees and Shrubs of Santa Clara Valley: a Plant Id Walk @ Rancho Cañada del Oro (Morgan Hill)
- Dec 23 Beginner’s Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham (San Jose)
2017 field trips
- Jan 1, Año Nuevo State Preserve (Hwy 1 coast-southern San Mateo County)
- Jan 8 St. Joseph's Hill Preserve, Mid Pen Open Space Preserve (Los Gatos) RAIN CANCELED
- Jan 9 Field Trip Planning Meeting, PCC
- Jan 14, Dirca Walk, Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (Portola Valley)
- Jan 22, Fungi Walk, Los Trancos Open Space Preserve (Page Mill Rd) RAIN CANCELED
- Feb 11, Fetid Adder’s Tongue, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve (San Carlos)
- Feb 26, Summit Loop Trail, San Bruno Mountain State and County Park
- Mar 5 Uvas Canyon County Park (Morgan Hill) CANCELED
- Mar 5 Stile Ranch Trail, San Jose
- Mar 11 Lichen Walk at Pedro Point Headlands (Pacifica) CANCELED
- Mar 19 Beginner’s Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose)
- Mar 19 Mount Madonna County Park (Gilroy)
- Mar 19 Exploratory Walk on San Bruno Mountain (South San Francisco)
- Mar 25 Pinnacles National Park (San Benito County)
- Mar 31 Sun April 2 Spring Wildflowers at Blue Oak Ranch Reserve (Mt. Hamilton)
- April 9 Red Hills Area - BLM (Chinese Camp)
- Apr 16 Serpentine Loop Trail in Calero County Park (San Jose)
- Apr 23 Spring Butterflies on Coyote Ridge (San Jose)
- April 30 Vernal Pool Tour at Don Edwards SF National Wildlife Refuge, East Bay.
- Apr 30 9am - 5pm Henry Coe State Park Backcountry Walk (Morgan Hill)
- May 6 Grass Walk at Edgewood Park (Redwood City)
- May 7 - 13 Joshua Tree Camping
- May 21 Bean Hollow State Beach (Hwy 1)
- June 10, 2017 Search for Soap - Evening Hike, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve (RWC)
- July 1 to Tuesday, July 4 Ebbetts Pass, Alpine Lake and Calaveras Big Trees State Park
- Sep 24 Beginner’s Bird and Plant Identification Walk at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose)
- Oct 15 Salt Marsh Bird and Plant Walk at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve, Union City
- Oct 29 Woody Plants of St. Joseph’s Hill Open Space Preserve (Los Gatos)
- Nov 19 Trees and Shrubs of SCV, Rancho Cañada del Oro OSP, Morgan Hill
- Dec 16 Beginner’s Bird and Plant ID Walk, Lake Cunningham Park, San Jose
- Dec 31 Butano State Park, Pescadero, San Mateo County (with Costanoa NYE Extravaganza Celebration)
2016 field trips
Photo by Joerg Lohse
- Jan 1, Año Nuevo State Preserve (Hwy 1 coast-southern San Mateo County)
- Jan 10 Know Your Willows: Guadalupe River Mitigation Area
- Feb 6 Dirca - Stevens Creek County Park, Cupertino
- Feb 21 San Pedro Valley County Park (Pacifica)
- Feb 27 Coal Mine Ridge (Portola Valley)
- Mar 6 San Bruno Mountain Watch Hike (South San Francisco)
- Mar 6 – 13 Anza Borrego Desert State Park ( San Diego County)
- Mar 13 Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park (Gilroy)
- Mar 20, Beginner’s Bird and Plant Identification Walk, Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose)
- Mar 20, San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- Mar 24, Walk, Talk and Shop Hike at Hidden Villa (Los Altos Hills)
- Mar 26, Mt. Tamalpais, North Side Loop Hike
- March 27, Coyote Ridge (South San Jose)
- March 29, Presidio Native Plant Nursery Field Trip Tour
- April 2 Vernal Pools at Jepson Prairie (Solano County)
- April 3 North Table Mountain Reserve (Butte County)
- April 10 Rancho San Vicente (South San Jose) CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN
- April 9 – 14 Eastern Mojave Desert
- April 16, Calero County Park, Serpentine Loop Trail
- April 17 Restoration project walk along Stevens Creek, Cupertino
- May 14 Mount Hamilton Road Trip (San Jose)
- May 14 Grass Walk at Los Trancos OSP
- May 15 Butano State Park, Pescadero (San Mateo County)
- May 22 Geology and Plant Walk at Alum Rock Park (San Jose)
- May 21 Windy Hill Open Space Preserve (Portola Valley)
- June 12 First Day of Summer Beginner’s Bird and Plant Identification Walk @ Lake Cunningham Park
- July 16 - 23 Ericaecious Heaven - Duck Lake and Mt. Eddy Backpacking Trip
- Oct 30, Uvas Canyon County Park, Morgan Hill
- Dec 18, Beginners Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose).
2015 field trips
Photo by Dee Himes
- Jan 1 Año Nuevo State Park (Hwy 1 coast-southern San Mateo County)
- Feb 7 Eaton Park (San Carlos)
- Feb 22 Montara Mt., San Pedro Valley County Park (Pacifica)
- March 1 Pulgas Ridge Open Space (San Carlos)
- March 5 Maguire Peaks Loop, Sunol Regional Park
- March 8 Stile Ranch, San Jose
- March 15 San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- March 21 Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley Hills
- March 22 - 28 Central California Camping Trip
- March 23 – 28 Mojave Desert Car Camp
- March 28 Coyote Lake (Gilroy)
- April 5 Edgewood Park, San Carlos
- April 11 Alum Rock Park (East San Jose)
- April 12 Calero County Park / Rancho San Vicente (south San Jose)
- April 26, 9:30am - 2:00pm Sunol Regional Park, East Bay
- April 26th 10AM-3PM Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve
- May 2 Mount Hamilton Road Trip (San Jose) 10am - 4pm
- May 9 Grass Walk at Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve (Redwood City)
- May 10 Stile Ranch Hike #2, San Jose
- May 17 Butano State Park (Pescadero in San Mateo County)
- May 22 - 25 Sierra Foothills Memorial Weekend Trip
- Jun 6 - Fountain Thistle Work Party (San Mateo)
- July 7 - 15 Botanizing the Western and Eastern Siskiyous
- Aug 8 Stile Ranch Trail, Hike #3
- Aug 22 Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, Moonlight Walk
- Nov 21 Bryophytes in Pescadero County Park (San Mateo County)
2014 field trips
Photo by Toni Corelli
- Jan 1 Año Nuevo State Park (southern San Mateo County)
- Jan 25 Rancho Cañada del Oro (South San Jose)
- Feb 8 Eaton Park (San Carlos)
- Feb 16 Pulgas Ridge (San Carlos)
- Mar 16 San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- Mar 22 New Hagen Meadow (San Jose)
- Mar 23 Sweeney Ridge (San Bruno)
- Apr 4 - 6 Carrizo Plain National Monument Car Camp (San Luis Obispo County)
- Apr 13 Sign Hill (South San Francisco)
- April 19-20 Mt. Diablo State Park Carcamp and Day Hikes (Contra Costa County)
- Apr 20 Coyote Lake (Gilroy)
- May 4 Coyote Lake Harvey Bear Ranch County Park (Gilroy)
- May 6 Año Nuevo-Cascade Field (San Mateo County Coast)
- May 11 Bean Hollow Pigeon Point Light Station (San Mateo Coast)
- May 17 Devil’s Slide Trail (San Mateo Coast)
- May 18 San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- May 20 Pescadero (San Mateo Coast)
- May 27 Montara and McNee Ranch
- May 31 Fountain Thistle Work Party (San Mateo)
- June 27-29 Mt. Eddy Carcamp (Klamath Mtns)
- July 13th–17th Mt. Lassen Carcamp
- Jul 26 Crystal Springs Watershed (Mid-peninsula)
- Aug 23 Bean Hollow SB (San Mateo County Coast)
- Sat Oct 25 Castle Rock Fall Hike (Skyline – Santa Cruz Mountains)
2013 field trips
- Jan 1 Año Nuevo State Park (southern San Mateo County)
- Jan 26 UCSC Upper Campus, Santa Cruz
- Feb 2 Water Dog Lake (Belmont)
- Feb 10 Perennials and Woody Plants of Alum Rock Park (San Jose)
- Feb 23 San Pedro Valley County Park (Pacifica)
- Mar 2 Edgewoood County Park (Redwood City)
- Mar 3 San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- Mar 20 Pinnacles National Park (San Benito County)
- Mar 23 Bonny Doon Ecological Reserve (Santa Cruz County)
- April 6th Coyote Lake (Gilroy) 10am - 3:30pm
- Apr 8th– 10th Lake County, Bear Valley, Palisades, Table Rock
- Apr 13 Rockaway Headlands (Pacifica), Moss Beach and Pillar Point Bluff (San Mateo Coast)
- Apr 14 New Hagen Meadow (San Jose)
- May 5 Grant Ranch (San Jose)
- May 11 Grass Walk at Edgewood County Park (Redwood City)
- May 12 Mount Hamilton Road Trip (San Jose)
- May 18 Cowell Ranch Beach and Cowell-Purisima Trail (San Mateo Coast)
- May 19 Stile Ranch/Santa Teresa County Park (San Jose)
- May 25 Butano Ridge (east of Pescadero)
- June 8th Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve (east of Half Moon Bay)
- June 15 Mt. Diablo State Park (Contra Costa County)
- Sep 15 Sharsmith Herbarium (San Jose State University)
- Sep 29 Monte Bello Open Space Preserve (Skyline-west of Palo Alto)
- Nov 2 Crystal Springs Watershed
2012 field trips
- Sun Jan 1 Año Nuevo State Park (southern San Mateo County)
- Sun Jan 22 Sierra Azul (Los Gatos)
- Sat Jan 28 Quail Hollow Ranch (Santa Cruz)
- Sat Feb 4 San Pedro Valley County Park (Pacifica)
- Sat Feb 18 Edgewood County Park and Natural Preserve (Redwood City)
- Sun Feb 19 Sierra Azul (Los Gatos)
- Sat Feb 25 Stevens Creek County Park (Los Gatos)
- Sat Mar 10 Stile Ranch (Santa Teresa County Park)
- Sun Mar 18 San Bruno Mountain County Park (Brisbane)
- Sat Mar 31 Uvas Canyon County Park (Morgan Hill)
- Sun Apr 8 Blair Ranch (Morgan Hill)
- Sat Apr 14 New Hagen Meadow (San Jose)
- Wed April 18 Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve (Cupertino)
- Sat – Tues May 5-8 Carrizo Plain to Cuyama Valley (San Luis Obispo County)
- Sun May 6 Coyote Lake (Gilroy)
- Sun May 13 The Wildflowers of Cascade Field (North of Año Nuevo–Hwy 1)
- Sat May 19 Big Basin Redwoods State Park
- Sun May 20 Palassou Ridge OSP (Gilroy)
- Sat Jun 2 Grass Walk at Los Trancos OSP (Los Altos)
- Sat Jun 9 Fountain Thistle Work Party (San Mateo)
- Sat Jun 16 Stile Ranch (San Jose)
- Wed -Thu Jun 27 - Jul 5 Mineral King Backpack (Southern Sierra Nevada)
- Sat Jul 21 Crystal Springs Watershed (Mid-peninsula)
- Sun Aug 5 Bean Hollow State Beach (Hwy 1)
- Sun Oct 21 Uvas Canyon County Park (Morgan Hill)
2011 field trips
- Sat Jan 1 Año Nuevo State Park (southern San Mateo County coast)
- Sat Jan 15 San Francisco Peninsula Watershed Dirca Hike
- Sat Jan 29 San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- Sat Feb 5 Edgewood County Park & Preserve (Redwood City)
- Sat Feb 12 Coal Mine Ridge (Portola Valley)
- Sat Mar 5 Hidden Villa (Los Altos)
- Sun Mar 6 Sunol Regional Park (Fremont)
- Sat Mar 12 Pulgas Ridge Open Space (Redwood City)
- Sun Mar 13 Stile Ranch (Santa Teresa County Park)
- Sun Mar 20 – Sun Mar 27 Death Valley Car Camp
- Sun Mar 27 Coyote Ridge (San Jose)
- Sat Apr 2 Coyote Ridge (San Jose)
- Sun Apr 3 Coyote Lake (Gilroy)
- Sat Apr 9 Joseph Grant Park (San Jose)
- Sun Apr 10 San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- Sat Apr 16 10am San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- Sat Apr 30 South Valley Reserve (eastern Santa Clara County)
- Sun May 1 Whitehouse Creek (Pescadero)
- Sat May 7 Blue Oak Ranch Reserve (Mt Hamilton Range)
- Sun May 8 Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park (Felton)
- Sun May 15 Grass Walk at Edgewood County Park (Redwood City)
- Sun May 22 The Cedars (Sonoma County)
- Sun May 22 Mt. Madonna County Park (Gilroy)
- Sun Jun 5 San Bruno Mountain (Brisbane)
- Sun Jun 19 Beginner’s Woody Plant Walk - Alum Rock Park (San Jose)
- Sat Jul 9 Crystal Springs Watershed (mid-peninsula)
- Fri-Sun July 29-31 Carson Pass (Sierra)
- Sun Aug 7 Calero Creek (South San Jose)
- Sat Sept 10 Sun Bean Hollow State Beach (Hwy 1)
- Sat Oct 8 Hidden Villa (Los Altos)
- Sat Oct 29 Castle Rock Fall Hike (Skyline-Santa Cruz Mtns)
- Sat Oct 29 Fountain Thistle Work Party (San Mateo)
- Sun Nov 6 Rancho Cañada del Oro (San Jose)
2010 field trips
- Sat Jan 9 Ano Nuevo State Park
- Sat Jan 16 Picchetti Ranch and Stevens Creek County Park
- Sun Jan 31 Stanford Trees and Landscape History
- Sat Feb 20 San Pedro Valley County Park
- Sun Feb 21 Los Gatos Canyon: Plant ID-ing for Beginners
- Sun Mar 7 Rise of the Sporophytes!
- Sun Mar 14 San Bruno Mountain
- Sat-Mon Mar 27-29 Golden Valley and Grass Valley Wilderness
- Sat Apr 3 Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch
- Sun Apr 4 Warm Springs Vernal Pools
- Sat Apr 10 Coyote Ridge
- Sun Apr 11 San Mateo Coast (Rain Cancelled)
- Sat Apr 17 Rancho Cañada del Oro
- Thu Apr 29 Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve and Stevens Creek County Park
- Sun May 2 Blue Oak Ranch
- Wed May 5 An Evening with the Grasses
- Sat May 22 Fountain Thistle-San Francisco Peninsula Watershed
- Sat-Sun May 22-23 The Cedars (Sonoma County)
- Mon-Fri May 24-28 High Desert Trip - Southeastern Sierra
- Sun May 30 Mt Hamilton Field Trip
- Sat Jun 5 Grass Walk at Los Trancos OSP
- Sat Jun 12 Fountain Thistle Field Trip & Restoration Work Party at Crystal Springs
- Sun Jun 13 Mt Hamilton Field Trip
- Sun Jun 20 Feelin’ Fruity-Belmont's Water Dog Lake Open Space
- Sat-Sun July 31-Aug 1 Butterfly Valley-Red Hill
- Sat Aug 14 Portola Redwoods State Park
- Sat Sep 11 Edgewood Natural Preserve
- Sat Sept 25 Rancho Cañada del Oro
- Sun Oct 3 Shields Grove at U.C. Davis
- Sun Oct 10 Uvas Canyon-San Jose
2009 field trips
- Sat Feb 28 Fire-follower Walk at Owl and Buckeye Canyons (San Mateo County) 1-4 pm
- Saturday, March 7, 9 am, Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve
- Sunday, March 8, 9:30 am, Mt. Tamalpais
- Saturday, March 14, 10 am, Stile Ranch Hike
- Sunday-Thursday, March 15-19, Desert Wildflower Trip
- Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, Carrizo Plain National Monument (eastern San Luis Obispo County)
- Saturday, March 28, 1 pm, Del Monte Forest, Monterey
- Sunday, March 29, 1 pm, Coyote Ridge (Second trip on Saturday, April 11, 10 am)
- Sunday, April 5, 10 am, Grant Ranch County Park
- Sunday April 5, 10:30am-1:30pm. West Pinnacles w/ Corky Matthews
- Saturday, April 11, 10 am, Coyote Ridge
- Saturday April 11. Fire Followers at Big Creek Reserve w/ Dave Nelson
- Monday April 13 through Friday April 17. CA desert
- Saturday, April 18, 9:30 am, Woods Trail, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
- Wed April 29 7pm An Evening with the Grasses
- Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3, The Cedars (Sonoma County)
- Sat May 16 10am San Mateo Coast
- Sun May 17 9am Mount Hamilton
- Fri-Tues May 22-26. California Floristic Province in Oregon
- Sat May 30 1pm Ring Mountain, Marin County
- Sun Jun 7 10am Grass Walk at Los Trancos
- Sun Jun 14 10am San Mateo Coast
- Sun Sep 20 Bonny Doon Ecological Preserve
- Sun Oct 4 Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
- Sun Oct 25 Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
2008 Field Trips
2007 Field Trips
CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter Field Trips
Chapter field trips are free and open to the public. Field trips are oriented to conservation, protection and enjoyment of California native plants and wildlife. A list of past field trips and reports can be found here.
Many other upcoming chapter activities are listed in the Blazing Star. You can also find many of our chapter field trips and other activities on our Meetup Group. Signing up on Meetup allows the trip leaders to send notifications in case of changes or cancellations.
In our region it is important to be prepared for hiking on rugged and steep terrain, wide temperature ranges and rapidly changing conditions at any time of year. Our hikes are often slow with many stops and standing around for long periods. All participants should wear sturdy footwear and carry sufficient water, sun protection, food, clothing layers, personal first aid and other supplies you may need. Also bring hand lens and binoculars for viewing plants and fauna.
Cell service is mainly restricted to cities and major highways. On your way to an outing do not rely solely on your phone. If you have any questions about your ability to participate in a particular field trip, please contact the trip leader in advance.
RSVPs on Meetup
Meetup announces the events when they are posted. This lets folks note the trip and date. The RSVPs open up one week before the event. If you are signed up for Meetup announcements, you will receive a second notice when the RSVPs open up. We do this to reduce the number of no shows as folks make RSVPs closer to the trip dates.
September 2026
With the onset of Fall, join us for a beginner’s bird and plant identification walk through Lake Cunningham Park. This lake is a major destination for waterfowl and migratory birds and its Native Garden draws many birds due to its habitat value. On this walk, Vicki Silvas-Young will show you how to identify the common birds of this area, while Arvind Kumar will identify the native plants that they depend on for food and shelter.
The distance is 2 miles round-trip on a level path. Bring a hat, water, your bird and plant lists, and binoculars. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Directions to the meeting place are on Meetup.
PAST FIELD TRIPS
January 2026
We will be exploring our surroundings as we casually walk towards Franklin Point, which is the most botanically interesting area of the park. We will be starting from the North Whitehouse Creek Trailhead, which is located south of Pescadero on Highway 1, just north of the Santa Cruz County line. We’ll enjoy ocean views, California native plants and raptors, songbirds and maybe marine mammals.
Bring binoculars and layers of clothing for variable coastal conditions including wind, sun, precipitation and fog. We will be walking on sand dunes. Bring a lunch or snacks and fluids. Extreme weather cancels.
RSVP is required to join us for the walk. No drop-ins please and space is limited. To register, please visit our Meetup page at https://www.meetup.com/California-Native-Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/. Before signing up, please read the Año Nuevo State Park restrictions at https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=523.
Note that there are no bathrooms at Franklin Point. Flush toilets are located at the main entrance of Año Nuevo State Park, which may require payment to enter. For more information, contact Nabeel Al-Shamma at
Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Wear appropriate layering and a hat. Bring snacks, a sack lunch, and liquids for the day. Heavy rain cancels.
February 2026
We should be finished by about lunch time, but it is suggested that participants bring lunch and water.
RSVP is required to join us for the walk. No drop-ins please and space is limited. To register, please visit our Meetup page at https://www.meetup.com/California-Native-Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/.
There is an optional additional hike afterwards in the adjacent Big Canyon Park. To learn more about these two parks, including a trail map, see City of San Carlos’ brochure about the parks here: Eaton-BigCanyon Brochure 2023.
Directions: Meet at 10:00 am at the Eaton Ave. entrance to Eaton Park, at the very end of Eaton Ave. in San Carlos. Eaton Ave. can be reached by way of El Camino Real or Alameda de las Pulgas, between Edgewood Rd. and Brittan Ave.
Heavy rain cancels. For more information contact Don Thomas at
March 2026
Sat Mar 7 - 10:00am - 3:00pm - South Slope Walk on San Bruno Mountain (South San Francisco)
Join Chuck Heimstadt and Loretta Brooks to explore the less visited south slopes of San Bruno Mountain with bright landscapes of large areas of grasslands critical to our resident endangered butterflies and some plants on the California Native Plant Society watchlist, such as coast iris, coast rock cress and San Francisco wallflower. We may also see onion, frits and butterfly host plants: silver bush lupine and California golden violet. In addition, we'll see Niebla lichen which occurs only in the fog belt of the Californian coast from Mendocino to Baja.
Since there are only fire roads and weeding trails on this side of San Bruno Mountain, the going can be difficult on steep and rocky slopes, so please be sure to wear sturdy footwear as this area is really only for the adventuresome. We should have time to stop at the top, so bring a snack or lunch. No restrooms per se on the mountain, except in the parking area.
RSVP via email required. Numbers to be limited, so please contact Loretta and Chuck and details will be sent to you about the meeting location, and as it gets close, should rain need to cancel. Waivers to be signed on site. Please email:
Sun Mar 15 - 10:00am - 2:00pm - Stile Ranch Trail (South San Jose)
Join Tom Lee on the Stile Ranch Trail, located at the Southwest corner of Santa Teresa County Park. This trail is known for its native plants. With the late winter rains this hike will feature wildflowers such as poppies, fiddlenecks, salvias and many others. The trail starts with a climb with some rocky switchbacks, crosses some grassland and a creek before returning in a loop. The distance is 2.6 miles, and the elevation gain is 450 feet.
Please bring sturdy shoes, appropriate layering, hat and lunch. Heavy rain cancels.
RSVP is required. Limited to 15 people due to narrow trails. No drop-ins please. To register, please visit the Meetup page at https://www.meetup.com/California-Native-Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/
We will meet at the Santa Teresa Park Stile Ranch parking area on San Vicente Ave. Driving directions are provided on Meetup.
Sun Mar 22, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm First Day of Spring Bird and Plant ID Walk at Lake Cunningham Park (San Jose)
With the onset of Spring, join us for a beginner’s bird and plant identification walk through Lake Cunningham Park. This lake is a major destination for waterfowl and migratory birds and its Native Garden draws many birds due to its habitat value. On this walk, Vicki Silvas-Young will show you how to identify the common birds of this area, while Arvind Kumar will identify the native plants that they depend on for food and shelter.
The distance is 2 miles round-trip on a level path. Bring a hat, water, your bird and plant lists, and binoculars. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Parking fee is $6, credit card only.
Directions: Meet at the Marina parking lot at 9am. The Marina parking lot is on the western shore of the lake, next to Calibunga Water Park, at the opposite side of the park from the main entrance on White Road. In Google Maps, search for “Lake Cunningham Marina” (37.33426 -121.81016) to be directed to the Marina.
RSVP is required. Space is limited. No drop-ins, please. To register, please visit the Meetup page at https://www.meetup.com/California-Native-Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/
Co-sponsored by CNPS, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.
Join Craige Edgerton and Alyssa LoGalbo on a wildflower walk at Tulare Hill. The hill and surrounding 330 acres (130 ha) of serpentine grasslands are home to the endangered Bay checkerspot butterfly and Dudleya setchellii wildflower. Bay checkerspot larvae depend on dwarf plantain (Plantago erecta), which grows on serpentine soil.
A portion of the hill makes up the Tulare Hill Ecological Preserve. The walk will be 2-3 miles in length and includes a short walk up the hill, about 300 feet elevation gain.
Please bring snacks and plenty of water. Heavy rain cancels. Liability waivers for Tulare Hill are required. They will be available at the meeting place.
RSVP is required to join the walk. Since this walk is open to CNPS members only, please ensure your CNPS membership is current. Or visit www.cnps.org to become a member. No drop-ins please and space is limited. To register, please visit the Meetup page at https://www.meetup.com/California-Native-Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/
Driving directions are on Meetup.
Julisa Soto organized community members to create the garden. Each plant tells a story of cultural use, ecological function and the deep relationships Indigenous communities have maintained for thousands of years. As we tour the garden we'll learn how traditional ecological knowledge continues to influence biodiversity and land stewardship.
The garden's plant list includes maintenance tips for each plant. Visit it here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iO5YPYqoLS6EwPD6YuYzW1GJYnPWVqiPu51D9V_yvK4/edit?usp=sharing. The garden's walking path made of level, decomposed granite and the walk is wheelchair accessible. Light refreshments will be served.
April 2026
We'll park and gather at Belgatos Park in Los Gatos and walk the Santa Rosa Trail through Santa Rosa Open Space. There is a play structure for letting little ones free play before and after, and there are restrooms.
The distance we walk is flexible depending on what we feel like as a group, but it probably won't be more than a mile or two. Sections of the trail will be a little steep at the beginning.
Please bring lunch, water, lots of snacks, sun protection, hiking poles are recommended, especially if conditions are muddy. Heavy rain cancels.
CANCELLED DUE TO PARKING SITUATION
Per the park rangers, the parking lots are filling up at 8 am due to spring break.
May 2026
RSVP is required to join us for the walk. No drop-ins please and space is limited. To register, please visit our Meetup page at https://www.meetup.com/California-Native-Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/.
June 2026
With the onset of Summer, join us for a beginner’s bird and plant identification walk through Lake Cunningham Park. This lake is a major destination for waterfowl and migratory birds and its native garden draws many resident birds due to its habitat value. On this walk, Vicki Silvas-Young will show you how to identify the common birds of our area, while Arvind Kumar will identify the native plants that they depend on for food and shelter.
The distance is 2 miles round-trip on a level path. Bring a hat, water, your bird and plant lists, and binoculars. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Parking fee is $6, credit card is preferred by the machine.
RSVP is required to join us for the walk. Space is limited. No drop-ins please. To register, please visit the Meetup page at https://www.meetup.com/California-Native-Plant-Society-Santa-Clara-Valley-Chapter/
August 2026
Enjoy the Cupertino hills while hiking through Picchetti Ranch Preserve on August 23rd with Tom Lee. The trail passes through grasslands, chaparral and riparian areas, each offering varying native plants. The trails is 4.1 miles long with an elevation gain of 620 feet. The trails have moderate terrain with beautiful views of the valley. The trail is mostly shaded.
Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Wear appropriate layering and a hat. Bring snacks, a sack lunch, and liquids for the day.
RSVP is required. Space is limited. No drop-ins, please.
Botanizing in the State of Jefferson July, 2007
On June 30th, nearly 30 CNPS members made a seven hour voyage to the area of far northern California that many consider to be the heart of the State of Jefferson. What follows is a summary of where we went and what we saw.
Situated right on the wild and scenic Klamath River, Sarah Totten campground was all ours, and offered a wonderful place for us to call Home Sweet Temporary Home. On Sunday July 1st, we caravaned to Cook & Green Pass via Saeid Creek Rd., making several stops on our way up. At our first stop, sharp eyes spotted an interesting saprophytic plant growing in the forest duff: Monotropa hypopythis or pinesap, and this was a first time sighting for most in the group. As we continued uphill, we found many other interesting and showy plants, including some that were being dug up by poachers! At the top, we explored the Pacific Crest Trail as it heads east of Cook & Green, and got a taste of the rich flora of the region and its relationship to the geology.
Monday was Calochortus day, and we traveled to three very different locations finding all three species we were seeking in nice bloom: C. persistens high up on Gunsight Ridge just west of Yreka; C. greenei just over the border into Oregon; and C. macrocarpus in a wide valley north of Mt. Shasta.
Day three saw a return to Cook & Green, this time on the PCT west of the pass towards Red Buttes. We encountered many species not seen on the other side of the pass, including a seep with Cypripedium californicum, the California lady-slipper orchid. The top of our journey to Bee Camp opened up to an area of stunning vistas and a different flora, as the local botany closely follows the local geology and microclimate.
The next day was a trip to Alex Hole, a northeast-facing cirque situated at the shoulder of Coundry Mountain. We found a stunning array of species to occur in and around this glacially-carved bowl, including choice plants from genera Lewisia, Erythonium, and Polemonium, along with several orchid species. This is also the only place we encountered melting snow. I think...
We moved camp south for the rest of the trip, to yet another paradise situated on the summit of Scott Mountain Pass, south of Etna on Hwy. 3. This campground adjacent to large meadows with seeps and fens surrounded by rich woodlands provided ample opportunity for the botanically inclined to lose themselves in the identification and appreciation of such a diversity of species.
Jefferson, we shall return.
Sonora Pass Carcamp Trip Report (Aug 1-3, 2008)
by Carolyn Dorsch
Eighteen people, including trip leaders Stella Yang and Carolyn Dorsch headed up to the Sierras the first weekend of August. We camped off of Hwy 120, at 6,200 feet, near the Clark Fork of the Stanislaus River. The first day we stayed in the “lowlands,” and explored along the Clark Fork meadow and the Column of the Giants.
Day Two found us up near the top of Hwy 120, just a little west of Sonora Pass. We spent the day hiking up to St. Mary’s Pass (10,100 feet). The walk was steadily uphill, but with wildflowers all along the way, low 70s temperature, and nice breezes, the 1,200 foot climb from the trailhead was quite manageable. Along the way, and at the top of the pass we found many high-elevation flora blooming, including the following: Pursh’s wooly-pod (Astragalus purshii), Buckwheat (Eriogonum ovalifolium), Sierra Claytonia (Claytonia nevadensis), and Arctic Willow (Salix arctica). In fruit were two anemones: A. occidentalis and A. drummondii. All together, it was about a three-mile round trip. A couple people took the challenge offered by the mountains, and continued their hike up to Stanislaus Peak (11,233 feet) before rejoining the group back at the trailhead in the late afternoon.
Day Three, as a final stop before heading home, we drove down Herring Creek Road. While it can be stunning in June (elevation around 7,000 feet), we had to work harder to find the flowers. Following the water, we came across beautiful colonies of Alpine Lily (Lilium parvum) near Herring Creek. The trip was capped off with a short visit along the Trail of the Gargoyles, where we could admire the amazing geologic formations. Plans are already in motion for another trip up to the Sonora Pass area.
Late June/early July is the best time to see the flowers at the 6-7,000 feet elevation, but there is plenty to see in early August, so long as you go to the higher elevations. Look for this trip’s highlights at a Member’s Night meeting later in the year!