School Field Trip~Pescadero Marsh Hike & Nature Study
Hiking Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve
Pescadero Marsh is a wonderful resource for students. Fronted by Pescadero Beach, our day will include studying a variety of habitats including the sandy shore, riparian and marsh. Excellent tidepools are near by if teachers would like to include an intertidal study.
10:00am – 2:00pm $400 for 20 students or less
$550 for 21-30 students
add $75 to include a stop for a tidepool~beach study, well worth it!
More Trip Details Below
Dear Students, Parents and Teachers:
Welcome to our day together visiting Pesadero State Beach and Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve.
We will plan on meeting you at 10:00am and will finish our day around 2:00pm (directions below). A completed waiver is required by all.
Our day will begin with an introduction to wetlands ecology and species adaptation. Pescadero Marsh is a true treasure along our coast. The area affords us the opportunity to study a variety of habitats including the sandy shore, riparian and marsh. For teachers seeking an ideal location to develop journal activities, Pescadero Marsh provides an inspiring and tranquil outdoor classroom. Our day may include a discussion of the Native Americans who utilized this rich wetlands area that was later altered through agricultural development. Teachers, please feel free to call us to discuss curriculum ideas in greater detail. As usual, we highly recommend that you include a stop for tidepooling with us if tides and schedule permits.
If tidepooling or exploring the beach in detail, we typically ask that 5-6 parent chaperones join us for the day. They will be assigned a station with questions for each group to answer as they rotate through in small groups. Parents will be given a key with answers for their particular station. An updated key can be sent to teachers before our field trip date.
Throughout the year, we will hike rain or shine, but not in a heavy downpour. Light rains do not cancel our day so please come prepared! Refunds are given if we cancel the trip due to heavy rains, not fog or light drizzle.
The cost of your Pescadero Marsh field trip is $375 for 20 students or less and $525 for 21-30 students. Add $75 to include a stop for a tidepool ~ beach study, a very popular activity and well worth it! Please send a check one week before your field trip date to: Blue Water Ventures, 127 Mason Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
How to Dress:
Please be prepared for a hot sunny day or a cool fog laden one. Dress in layers with an outer shell such as a windbreaker or rain jacket. Please bring a lunch and water bottle on the hike. Be sure to have sunscreen. Cameras and binoculars packed in a day pack with a garbage bag inside in case it rains is recommended. Hiking shoes or a sturdy tennis shoe for walking over sand are needed. If tidepooling, you will need shoes that can get wet ( no flip flops or Crocs). Sandals with a back strap and some tread are acceptable for tidepooling. Bring Face mask and Personal Hand Sanitizer
Distance We Will Hike
At Pescadero Marsh we cover 1-2 miles round trip to reach our destinations which varies slightly with each group.
Directions
From Santa Cruz, travel north on Highway One until you reach the turn off for the town of Pescadero at Prescadero Creek Road. Pescadero is about 30 miles from Santa Cruz. Continue just beyond this the turn off and turn left into the parking area of Pescadero State Beach which faces the beach. If you go over the bridge, you have gone too far. Park at the north end of the parking lot and look for my Blue Toyota Sequoia. If traveling south on Highway One, Pescadero State Beach is 14.5 miles south of Half Moon Bay.
Kim can be reached on her cell phone at: 831 345 2417.
We are looking forward to our adventure together along the Central California Coast!
Very Sincerely,
Kim Powell, MRPA
Owner, Operator & Naturalist
Blue Water Ventures
phone & fax: 831-459-8548
www.bluewaterventures.org
email: bluewaterventuressc@gmail.com
127 Mason St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
