Springtime Stroll
Saturday, May 10
10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
Join Open Space volunteers and staff for a springtime walk along the trails of the Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. See wildflowers in bloom and other signs of the spring awakening. The 4.5-mile hike includes an elevation gain of 500 feet along the gently rising Mayfair Ranch Trail. At the top, you’ll stop and rest in the shade of a blue oak forest. Bring plenty of water and a picnic lunch. Sunscreen is also recommended. [directions]
A Casual Hike
Saturday, May 17
8:00 AM – 11:00AM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
Are you looking for a gentle hike through Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve? Our volunteers are the perfect guides for you! Join volunteers for a leisurely hike through the park to observe wildlife and learn about plants. The hike is about 5 miles long so sturdy shoes and layers are recommended. Bring a light snack, water and sunscreen for this weekend adventure. [directions]
Stargazing at Rancho
Saturday, May 31
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
If you have never been to Rancho for a stargazing event, you are missing out on a real treat. Join us this evening for a quiet night gazing at the stars in a beautiful and wonderfully dark location that promises lots and lots of stars! Learn about the night skies with park staff. A telescope will be provided, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or beach chair to recline and observe the night sky. [stargazing tips] [directions]
Picture This Park
Saturday, June 14
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
Do you wish you could take better nature pictures? It just so happens that our Volunteers take exceptional photographs! Come hike with Cait at Rancho Cañada del Oro and observe the trail at a leisurely pace in search of good photo opportunities! We can help you with suggestions on composition and perspective. Learn to see and capture nature in a new way! [directions]
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Stargazing at Rancho
Saturay, June 28
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
If you have never been to Rancho for a stargazing event, you are missing out on a real treat. Join us this evening for a quiet night gazing at the stars in a beautiful and wonderfully dark location that promises lots and lots of stars! Learn about the night skies with park staff. A telescope will be provided, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or beach chair to recline and observe the night sky .[stargazing tips] [directions]
A Casual Hike
Saturday, July 12
8:00 AM – 11:00AM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
Are you looking for a gentle hike through Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve? Our volunteers are the perfect guides for you! Join volunteers for a leisurely hike through the park to observe wildlife and learn about plants. The hike is about 5 miles long so sturdy shoes and layers are recommended. Bring a light snack, water and sunscreen for this weekend adventure. [directions]
Stargazing at Rancho
Saturay, July 26
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
If you have never been to Rancho for a stargazing event, you are missing out on a real treat. Join us this evening for a quiet night gazing at the stars in a beautiful and wonderfully dark location that promises lots and lots of stars! Learn about the night skies with park staff. A telescope will be provided, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or beach chair to recline and observe the night sky. [stargazing tips] [directions]
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Picture this Park
Saturday, August 16
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
Do you wish you could take better nature pictures? It just so happens that our Volunteers take exceptional photographs! Come hike with them at Rancho Cañada del Oro and observe the trail at a leisurely pace in search of good photo opportunities! We can help you with suggestions on composition and perspective. Learn to see and capture nature in a new way! Feel free to join us for the leisurely hike even if you are not a photography enthusiast. [directions]
Stargazing at Rancho
Saturay, August 30
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve
If you have never been to Rancho for a stargazing event, you are missing out on a real treat. Join us this evening for a quiet night gazing at the stars in a beautiful and wonderfully dark location that promises lots and lots of stars! Learn about the night skies with park staff. A telescope will be provided, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or beach chair to recline and observe the night sky. [stargazing tips] [directions]
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Directions
Rancho Canada del Oro
From 101 South or 85 South
Take the Bailey Exit off of Hwy 101 and go West (right). Go approximately 2.5 miles and turn left on McKean Rd. Turn right onto Casa Loma Road (where McKean turns into Uvas Road). Follow Casa Loma Road approximately 2 miles to the OSA parking lot.
Boccardo Trail/Alum Rock Park
From Highway 680 exit on Berryessa Road. Go east 1.2 miles. Turn right on Piedmont Road. Go 0.45 miles to Penitencia Creek Road. Turn left on Penitencia Creek Road. Continue 1.0 miles on Penitencia Creek Road to the entrance of Alum Rock Park.
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Trail Rules and Safety
- Hours are from sunrise to sunset.
- Hiking, cycling and horseback riding are only permitted on designated trails.
- Pets are not permitted.
No dogs are allowed.
- Fires, fireworks and smoking are not permitted.
- Do not feed, disturb, molest, or kill wildlife. Hunting and trapping are not allowed.
- Do not collect, remove, destroy or deface any natural or human made object.
- No water is available. Bring your own water on your visit this preserve
Be Prepared
Wear suitable clothing - Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. A cool morning can quickly turn into a hot afternoon. Wearing layers can help you enjoy your outdoor experience. Sturdy shoes help you navigate the trails more easily.
Don't forget Sunscreen, a hat and Insect Repellent
Bring water. There is no potable (drinkable) water on the preserves.
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Stargazing Tips
Here are a few tips and ideas to make your stargazing experience more enjoyable for yourself and everyone around you.
It is important to arrive before dark. It takes approximately 30 minutes for the human eye to adjust to the dark. Additionally, it is much easier to find Rancho Cañada Del Oro in the light!
Use headlights sparingly. If you arrive after dark, please use headlights sparingly once in the parking lot. Blazing headlights will hinder the site of all those who arrived early.
Back your vehicle into the parking space . Your vehicle back-up lights are bright white. A good idea is to back your vehicle in at the start of the evening so that when you leave, you can pull straight out rather than having to back up.
Avoid the use of white light. Red light can be used safely, but should be small and dim. Never point your light directly at an observer or a telescope. If bringing a flashlight to the site, convert it to a red light by covering the lens with a red filter (red fabric, construction paper, red cellophane, red tail-light repair tape.) If you arrive to the site with a regular white-light flashlight talk to the Open Space Authority Staff Member, or one of the volunteers, who may be able to help you convert your flashlight into a red light.
Disable Car Dome Light. A car's dome and other interior lights are amazingly bright to someone whose vision is dark-adapted and you will greatly annoy a lot of people if you prop open a door and light up the countryside. If possible disable these lights in your car before you head out. On most cars there's a simple switch for this. As a last resort you can tape a piece of cardboard over bright dome and door lights. (On some automobiles this is the only solution.)
Careful with your brakelights. Even just stepping on the brake will light the very bright taillights on the car, so be careful not to step on the brake while getting into or out of the vehicle.
Avoid loud or boisterous behavior. Star-gazing is a quiet, peaceful time. You'll hear a variety of night sounds that you can't hear in a busy city. These sounds are part of the experience of being in a natural setting at night. Please use headphones if you want to listen to music.
If you have a question, feel free to ask. Amateur astronomers are generally happy to share their knowledge with others, and they are often happy to let you look through their telescope. However, please don't use or move a telescope without the owner's permission. Please don't touch any glass optical surface.
When you leave, use your parking lights until you pull out on to the road.
What to Bring
Bring your kids – This is a family affair and children are welcome. If you do bring children, be sure they stay with you at all times. Many kids get cold and tired early, so you may want to bring a sleeping bag for them.
Bring your telescope if you have one - If you set up a telescope, be sure to put it several yards away from your closest neighbor.
Wear suitable clothing - It gets much colder at night, even in summer, so bring plenty of warm clothing. Also, wear sturdy footwear; it's hard to see where you are walking during the dark nights.
Insect repellent
Folding chairs or chaise lounges
Drinks and food can make the experience more enjoyable.
Blankets or sleeping bags are great for lying down to look for meteors or to study the sky.
Bring your binoculars. It's amazing how much you can see with them if you know where to look. |
