Activities
CNPS Santa Clara Valley Chapter 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.
Photography Group
Our Photography Group is a great place to meet other native plant enthusiasts while improving your photographic skills and learning more about our native plants. It is open to all. The group has periodic meetings, photography outings and an active email list. The group has an on-going #MyPhotoOfTheWeek activity on the email list for group members to share their favorite shots with the group on a weekly basis. There is a monthly virtual meeting on zoom on the fourth Friday of each month for members to share photos and more -- everything from photography tips to organizational ideas to plant hot spots.
Our upcoming events can be found on Meetup and Facebook. Past events can be seen here.
To participate in our virtual activites, we recommend that you join our online discussion group.
Plant Lists
Plant lists for many San Francisco Bay Area parks and preserves can be generated from the Natural Resources Database at nrdb.org. Visual plant lists may also be generated at plantid.net.
The following are custom plant lists from local CNPS field trips, bioblitzes, plant surveys and restoration projects:
- Mount Umunhum plant list photo guide (2017)
- Mount Umunhum plant checklist (2017)
- Stile Ranch Trail at Santa Teresa Park (2022)
- Alum Rock
- Joe Cernac's list for Calaveras Big Trees (2015)
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park (from Patricia Evans)
- Ebbetts Pass (Glenn Keator 7/5/12 from Patricia Evans)
- San Pedro Valley County Park Plant List, 2018 (generated from NRDB by Dee Himes)
Other lists:
- Calaveras Big Trees State Park http://www.tuolumnewildflowers.com/resources/Big+Trees+State+Park+2012+Observations.htm In the last column it lists the trails where each plant can be found.
Anza Borrego State Park - March 6 - 13, 2016
By Dee Wong, Field Trip Chair
Co-leaders Patricia Evans and Joe Cernac took 17 hearty souls (including CNPS fellow Sally Casey, age 94) on a trip to the desert, despite forecasts of rain. After arriving in Anza Borrego on Sunday March 6, the trip started in the rain Monday with a stop at the visitor center. Two days of sunny hiking followed in Palm Canyon and Culp Valley. Many of the highlights were seeing the desert peach, desert apricot, and desert almond all on the same day. We also saw five bighorn sheep which the state park is partially named after, Borrego, and hundreds if not thousands of sphinx moth caterpillars of various instars (molting phases) devouring the brown-eyed primrose and sand verbenas. Dee Wong even saw one that was digging a hole in preparation for pupating.
Stile Ranch Hike #2, May 10, 2015
By Dee Wong, Field Trip Chair
Hike #2 was to see the progression of drought effecting Stile Ranch. There were 11 attendees including the co-leaders Stella Yang and Dee Wong, and Ken Himes as sweep. As the weather heated up without much winter rains, the grasslands along the trail had already started drying out and turning gold and silvery in color. The native grasses such as Elymus glauca, Melica californica and Melica torreyana had begun to set seeds. With most spring wildflowers finished flowering, the summer flowering plants that were in bud (during hike #1) were now flowering, such as the Monardella douglasii, Streptanthus glandulosus var. glandulosus.
Stile Ranch Hike #1, Mar 8, 2015
By Dee Wong, Field Trip Chair
The intention of having a three-part series of hikes to the same location over the course of the year was to see the changes of diversity of one particular area.
Hike #1 started at 9am and ended about 1pm. Thirty people attended, including the trip leaders and sweeps. We split into two groups, with Dee Wong and Woody Collins as co-leaders and Huey Shin Yuan as the sweep in one group, and Ken Himes and Stella Yang as co-leaders and Carolyn Dorsch and Michael Yantos as the sweeps for the other group. Thanks to all participants for sharing their knowledge and their time to help make this a very successful trip.
We saw these flowers in bloom:
Castle Rock October 25, 2014
By Dee Wong, Chapter Treasurer at the time, now (Feb 2015) our Field Trip Chair
Our last field trip for the year took us to Castle Rock State Park.
There were 14 in attendance including the co-leaders, Ken Himes and Dee Wong, and with Toni Gregorio-Bunch as our sweep. Thank you Toni! Of the 14 people, there were one new member who joined before the field trip and three that are not members and were enthusiastic to become members of our Chapter. While on the trail, Dee also encountered a young couple from Marin, who were curious about what we were doing, and was handed a membership form and a plant list for this hike. They were so thrilled! We hope this will capture their interest in joining CNPS!
On the morning of the hike, the weather was overcast with light drizzle on and off but cleared to occasional blue skies in the afternoon. The view was quite dramatic with Ken and Dee vocalizing their view of the scenery to be that of the Oregon mountain ranges with mist rising from the forest, rain curtains drifting by in the background, and misty sun rays shining through the clouds.
Mount Lassen Car Camp - July 13-17, 2014
By Dee Wong, Chapter Treasurer at the time, now (Feb 2015) our Field Trip Chair
Dee Wong, Ken Himes, and with the help of Paul Heiple and his wife, Linda (who helped shepard the group to be keep the pace going) successfully co-led the Santa Clara Valley Chapter field trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park from Monday, July 14 through Thursday, July 17. We camped at Summit Lake South and Warner Valley to see geological and botanical wonders that are unique to this area. Including the co-leaders, there were 19 participating CNPS members mostly from our Chapter, along with Deanna Giuliano, president of the Santa Cruz Chapter who was also there, and made it all so fun.
Photo: from Left to Right: Diana Quon, Patricia Evans, Dave Hershey, Ken Himes, and Dee Wong. Photo taken by Carolyn Dorsch.