Rachel Norton,
Executive Director 

at Trione-Annadel State Park 

In February, I went hiking in Trione-Annadel State Park with friends who had just bought a house a few blocks away. After all the rain this year, I have never seen the park so green! It was fascinating to see the volcanic rock protruding from the meadows and hillsides as we hiked — the same ones used by Indigenous Pomo and Wappo peoples as an obsidian source. I loved passing through the gorgeous oak woodlands; the branches curled and gnarled into a canopy overhead as you hiked the trails. There is nothing like spring at Trione-Annadel! 

Samantha Joseph,
Associate Director of Philanthropy

at Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach 

I’ve been practicing yoga for years, but until recently had never tried doing yoga on the beach. I had the opportunity to join a silent disco yoga class at Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach and had so much fun! I was initially a little unsteady on the sand, but the ocean breeze and gorgeous sunset made it an incredible and relaxing experience. 

Shakaylah Leonard,
Events and Stewardship Manager 

at McLaughlin Eastshore State Park 

I recently took my nephew to visit McLaughlin Eastshore State Park. For a park essentially in my backyard, I had never known about it growing up. After finding out about it, I wanted to take my nephew so I could start getting him acquainted with nature — something that did not happen for me as a child.  

On our first-ever visit to the park, I asked my nephew if he would consider state parks important. He responded, "Yes. State parks help you bring peace, and they take care of us, so we have to take care of them." Afterwards, we came across a spot filled with beautiful California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), where I asked my nephew if he knew what they were. He did and answered, "Poppy! Our state flower.”  

It warmed my heart to see that I did my part to teach at least one person from the next generation the importance of our state parks. My nephew will definitely grow up to be a future park advocate! 

Kathleen McCurdy,
Content Marketing Manager 

at Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park 

A new experience for me was when I visited Ed Z’berg Sugar Pine Point State Park last winter to snowshoe! The park is located on the gorgeous western shore of Lake Tahoe, with snowshoe trails right along the lakeshore. It was a wonderful adventure, and I loved every moment we trekked through the pine forest.  

Our group remembered to recreate responsibly as we explored the snowy park, as you never know what might happen during extreme weather. 

David Pierce,
Digital Marketing Coordinator 

at Garrapata State Park 

This past spring, I had the extraordinary new experience of witnessing (what I consider) a super bloom of lupine flowers at Garrapata State Park. While trekking five steep miles over the Soberanes Canyon and Ridge trail, my partner and I were greeted with tall tunnels of purple, pink, and yellow lupines — a magical experience that felt like a Disneyland ride!  

Seeing this rare site has become a beautiful memory that will last with me forever. It also makes me proud of our work at California State Parks Foundation, as our volunteer program works at Garrapata State Park on habitat restoration to protect the local wildlife and nature. We've also planted lupines during a few workdays!  

As a park lover, I believe stewarding native habitats is vital to protecting and preserving these magical places for future generations. This super bloom experience not only accentuated my love for native wildflowers but has become a core memory in my desire to protect these parks. I can't wait to go back next spring! Remember, stay on the trails and don’t doom the bloom!  

Adele Escoto,
Membership and Operations Coordinator 

at China Camp State Park 

Recently, I had to opportunity to visit China Camp State Park as part of a tour for our Quails and Trails members. This was my first time exploring the park's trails and my first experience making the acquaintance of wild mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) up close.  

While we hiked, our group spotted a family of deer. That's when I first met eyes with the deer so close to us. At that moment, I felt a peaceful pause. As our trail group walked by — both groups of mammals mutually curious about the other — I felt in awe to exist in the park as a shared space where human and wildlife neighbors meet, even for a fleeting moment.  

However, it was also a bittersweet reminder of how the state budget impacts us all. China Camp State Park was once slated to be closed and developed. During this moment of closeness to the deer, I am reminded of the necessity to remain active in the organized effort for park spaces. These places are irreplaceable pieces of history, health, and thriving for humans and wildlife - like the family of deer who enjoys their walk through the park just as I do. In that moment, I was reminded how we're not so different after all.