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Those of you imagining a land of harem girls and slave boys might be disappointed by what "forbidden" refers to here. That tantalizing modifier derives from the fact that this protected swath of the rare sandhill ecosystem at Quail Hollow Ranch is a closed state reserve open to the public on only four days each April; groups are limited to 15 at that. So you join very selective company, my friend, when you stroll among the silverleaf manzanita, the Santa Cruz wallflower (which spends half its life looking like a frayed brillo pad), the Ben Lomond spineflower (a wee, pretty pink thing) and the tiny Santa Cruz monkeyflower. Northern Pacific rattlesnakes and western fence lizards make their homes here, drawn to the heat, and you'll see beautiful Ponderosa pines, gorgeous lupine and the oddest California poppies, with yellow flowers and pink or blue foliage. Call to reserve a place: 831.335.9348.
800 Quail Hollow Rd, Felton. 10am-12:30pm. Free, but reserve ahead of time. Map to Quail Hollow Ranch County Park.