School Field Trip~Seals, Sea Birds & Shell Middens Ano Nuevo

Ano Nuevo is rich in cultural and natural history. Students learn about the behavior of elephant seals and other marine animals. This area was once a large settlement site for the Ohlone Indians. Our day will include examining a  shell midden left by the Ohlone Indians.  Several hands on learning activities and environmental games will be offered along the way.

April-May is an excellent time to visit Ano Nuevo!

9:00am – 2:30pm

$400 for 20 students or less weekdays; $550 for 21-30 students

add $75 to include a stop for a tidepool study, well worth it!

More Trip Details Below

Dear Students, Parents and Teachers:

Welcome to our day together visiting the seal pups of Ano Nuevo State Reserve and the Tidepools of Davenport Landing.

Today we will hike to Ano Nuevo State Reserve, an area rich in cultural and natural history. In the spring months, elephant seal pups, or ‘weaners” form playful aggregations known as “weaner pods” on the remote beaches of Ano Nuevo. We will hike through this State Park jewel to view these amazing animals learning about their ecology and behavior. The Ano Nuevo area was once a large settlement site for the Ohlone Indians. Our day will include examining a shell midden left by these early Native Americans. Either before or after hiking to Ano Nuevo, we hope to explore the tidepools of Davenport Landing.

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 naturalist-led field trip is $400 for 20 students or less; $500 for 21-30 students add $75 to include a stop for a tidepool 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.

A completed waiver is required by all.

Additional Fees
$10 parking fee at Ano Nuevo State Reserve; have students bring a picnic lunch and water or provide for them.

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. You will need shoes that can get wet ( no flip flops or Crocs) for tidepooling at Davenport Landing. Sandals with a back strap and some tread are acceptable for tidepooling. Please bring a facemask and personal hand sanitizer.

Distance We Will Hike
Ano Nuevo: 3 1/2 miles round trip over sand with some elevation gain while hiking over sand dunes; some cardiovascular conditioning suggested
Davenport Landing: 1/2-1 mile round trip over sand; leisurely pace

Typical Timing Of Day
9:00am-10:30am: Tidepooling at Davenport Landing which is south of Ano Nuevo and about one mile north of Davenport town off of Highway One; park near the bathrooms and entrance to the beach. We will gather up on the bluffs past the bathrooms facing the beach.

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 will be sent to teachers before our field trip date. 335 Davenport Landing Road, Davenport, Ca 95017 Get Directions

11:00am-2:30pm: We will leave Davenport Landing and caravan to Ano Nuevo State Reserve. The reserve is located about 90 minutes south of San Francisco off of Highway One. The entrance is 12 miles south of Pescadero Road, 3 miles south of Rossi Road, and just north of the San Mateo/Santa Cruz County border. For more details, please visit Ano Nuevo,

We are looking forward to our adventure together to view the seal pups of Ano Nuevo and beyond!

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

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