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Marking a decade since Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park was saved
It's been 10 years since Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks rallied the community to save Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park from closure.
Built between 1822 and 1824 by local Ohlonean and Yokuts Indians, the Santa Cruz Mission SHP is home to one of the oldest buildings in Santa Cruz County and the park’s signature adobe is the only remaining structure from Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. The Mission was built on the traditional lands of the Uypi people, and many Californian Native American tribes and families were impacted by it. Park staff have consulted with the local Native community to listen to and support their needs, and interpretation at the Mission has been updated in collaboration with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Learn more.
The Mission was secularized in 1834. After decades of private ownership, the adobe was sold to the State of California, extensively restored and finally opened in 1991 to the public as the Santa Cruz Mission SHP. Years after its restoration, with a looming state budget shortfall, the Mission was one of hundreds of State Parks across California slated for closure in 2012 before Friends stepped in to co-manage and fund park operations.
Friends has funded interpretation services, a portion of park operations and also runs the Mission ParkStore. Friends, in partnership with State Parks implemented key improvements at the park, including a remodel of the patio, the opening of new interpretive exhibits, renovated outdoor cooking facilities, floor replacement and improvements, garden restoration and new hours of operation to serve thousands of local school children.
Friends also has worked hard to put the Mission "on the map" for visitors, through events and special programs, including the wildly successful Mole and Mariachi Festival, concerts, a fashion show, First Friday art shows, Movies at the Mission, Tacos on the Terrace, the publication of the Mission Mystery Book, translation of State Parks materials to Spanish and use of the Mission for private events.
The Mission is one of just four adobe buildings left in Santa Cruz County and is the only building of its kind preserved as a museum in the State of California. Santa Cruz Mission SHP is located at 144 School St. in Santa Cruz. It is open daily Thursday through Monday and is now welcoming back in-person school field trips.
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New stickers celebrate Twin Lakes & Rio Del Mar state beaches
Do you enjoy stargazing at Twin Lakes State Beach? Or walking your (leashed) dog at Rio Del Mar State Beach? Pick up one of these just-released stickers for either beach. Representing iconic features and highlighting the beauty of each beach, show off these beautiful custom stickers on your water bottle, laptop or your car!
These new all-weather stickers join the collection of our other state beach stickers and are available now in our ParkStore Online or in the ParkStores for just $3 each.
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Public open house planned for Castro Adobe State Historic Park
Come join us for a guided walk at Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe State Historic Park in Watsonville on Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Accompanied by State Parks interpreters and docents, you will stroll back in time to the Mexican Rancho period of the mid-1800s. That’s when the two-story Castro Adobe hacienda was built on the 9,000-acre rancho granted to Jose Juaquin Castro and became one of the social centers of the Central California Coast. See displays and hear of the Vaquero culture and skills. Learn about the cattle, horses and sheep that ranged wild on the mostly unfenced grasslands of Rancho San Andrés. Experience the Fandango room where music and dance were enjoyed frequently. Visit one of the last remaining indoor cocinas in California and hear about the bear and bull fights.
Tours are 90 minutes and are free. Reservations are required for each individual attending this event. Masks are required on all tours, regardless of vaccination status. Castro Adobe State Historic Park is located at 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville.
Friends is leading a multi-year restoration effort of the Castro Adobe in partnership with California State Parks. Learn more and donate here.
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Become a Wilderness Patrol volunteer
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