Your Guide to Long Summer Days

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A solo oak tree stands in a field of golden grass as the sun sets behind the silhouette of rolling hills.
Photo by D. Neumann

June is a special month. As the weather warms up, young wildlife become more independent and the days grow longer leading up to the summer solstice. With more daylight, we can spend time outside after school or work, try new hobbies and enjoy some amazing sunsets. The Open Space Authority is reflecting on the best ways to celebrate and make the most of these long summer days. Explore our guide for things you can try with more daylight!

Explore nature in the evening
The silhouette of an oak tree appears on the left-hand side of the photo with green grass and a sunrise in the distance.
Photo by D. Neumann

Celebrate the summer solstice with an evening hike, walk, roll or stroll to admire nature – either at a preserve or in your neighborhood! When you spend time outside in the evenings, you are more likely to enjoy cooler temperatures and encounter fewer people on a trail or sidewalk. Evening recreation is also a fantastic way to move your body after a busy day. You may even increase your chances of spotting “crepuscular” wildlife in the evening, or species that are more active during dawn and dusk. Use our Wildlife at a Glance guide to document the native species you spot in their habitats during your next evening adventure.

Note: If you’re planning to visit a park or preserve in the evening, please be mindful of the closing time!

Snap a photo during golden hour 
A woman positions her camera on a tripod to take a photo with the help of a man as they stand in a grassy path surrounded by nature

During golden hour, or the one hour after the sun rises and one hour before the sun sets, the sun casts a golden glow on earth. Photographers often seek to capture photos during this time due to the soft lighting and lack of harsh shadows. Learn more about nature photography here!

Search for summer songbirds
A small yellow bird stands on the branch of a tree surrounded by green leaves.
Image from Canva

Set out on a birding adventure in search of Santa Clara Valley’s summer! If you’re lucky, you may hear the squeaky call of a black-headed grosbeak, the chatter and sweet songs of a hooded oriole or the fluttering chirps of a Wilson’s warbler. Our friends at the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance have great resources to help you identify and spot these songbirds during your next outdoor summer excursion – click here to explore the resources!

View a breathtaking sunset
A photo of a sunset breaking through fluffy clouds taken from the top of a mountain with the view of another green mountain in the distance.
Photo by B. Controna

If you want to watch the sun set over San José, there’s no better viewpoint than Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve (granted, we may be biased!). The preserve parking lot often fills with visitors hoping to catch the sunset and sweeping views of Santa Clara Valley. To improve your chances of securing a parking space, show up early and check the parking lot status on the electronic message board at the bottom of Sierra Road. If the parking lot is full, we kindly ask that you visit the preserve at a different time. Plan your visit to Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve here. 

Celebrate the sun
A mom and two small children walk through the grass on a hill with rolling golden hills in the background.

Join us as we celebrate the longest day of the year, June 21, at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve! All are welcome to attend and enjoy sun-themed crafts and nature games while discovering how the sun shapes the natural world. This is a family-friendly event – click here to reserve a ticket for this free summer solstice event! 

With the summer solstice on its way, we encourage you to soak up more daylight and discover the benefits of nature! Plan your next adventure at your open space preserves by visiting https://www.openspaceauthority.org/visit 

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