Tromp Blog

The Stories of the Castro Adobe

Artist David Rickman created illustrations for the new exhibits at the Castro Adobe State Historic Park, including this vivid portrait of a woman on horseback. Photo: Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

With the unveiling of new interpretive exhibits, the once-crumbling Castro Adobe emerges as a first-rate State Historic Park.

Is Cowell Beach the Best Beginner's Surf Break in the World?

Dawn above the Santa Cruz Wharf and some fortunate surfers at Cowell’s. Photo by Bridget Lyons.

A practical, user-friendly guide to learning to surf in Santa Cruz: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Tribute Tables Celebrate Milestones and Love of State Parks

Alex Conway, left, and Gilbert sit with their dogs at Manresa Uplands State Beach--a favorite walking spot for the couple — so much that Conway dedicated a Tribute Table to commemorate their relationship. Photo: FOSCSP

Mark a significant moment such as a birthday or first date, or memorialize a loved one’s passing, by dedicating a picnic table at your favorite park or beach.

Science Spotlight: Why Do Humpbacks Breach?

Scientists are unsure what drives humpback whales' exuberant displays. NOAA photo.

More than 40 feet long and weighing up to 40 tons, adult humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are formidable giants. But their immensity doesn’t hinder their athleticism.

Castle Rock SP: The Crown Jewel on Santa Cruz’s Skyline

Vaqueros sandstone outcroppings make Castle Rock one of the premiere climbing destinations in the San Francisco Bay Area. Photo courtesy of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Ten recreation options available at Castle Rock State Park, just north of Boulder Creek, from climbing to horseback riding to picnicking with a view.

The Wildflowers of Seabright & the Garden Learning Center

California poppies and other wildflowers thrive on a patch of land that once was a lawn. Credit: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

Felicia Van Stolk of the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History explains how a California native-plant garden benefits wildlife in the neighborhood and beyond.

Product Launch: Find & Protect Wildflowers with BloomTracker

The new BloomTracker by Hilltromper. Photo: Mike Kahn

Hilltromper announces an online resource that tells you where your favorite flowers are blooming right now, and helps preserve these wonders of nature.

Fossil-Hunting Fun in Santa Cruz

Wayne Thompson, paleontologist advisor for the Museum. Credit: Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

Traces and remains of ancient creatures—from whale-ribs to a famous mastodon tooth—frequently surface on Santa Cruz beaches and in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

How to Pee in the Woods

There are many circumstances when it is helpful to know the correct way to relieve oneself when modern plumbing–or even an outhouse–is unavailable. Credit: AI-generated image, Shutterstock.

Leave No Trace principle number 3, ‘Dispose of Waste Properly,’ applies to human waste–even Number 1. Here is an easy guide to ethical outdoor urination.

Six Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Westside Santa Cruz

Winding its way from Natural Bridges State Beach to the Santa Cruz Wharf, with plenty of benches providing incomparable views, West Cliff Drive is one of the prettiest streets in the world. Credit: Majken Talbot.

Romantic getaways on Monterey Bay, from Natural Bridges to West Cliff Drive to the Santa Cruz Wharf to Venus Spirits, plus some of the world’s best chocolate.

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