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Field Trip: Rancho Cañada de Oro

  • 37.144854, -121.779080 (map)

Please limit your sign-ups to 2 WEEKEND trips per month.

Before signing up for this trip, please take a moment to read our trip policies and view our liability waiver.

Northern Flickers by John Scharpen

Rancho Cañada de Oro

Tucked in the foothills of Santa Cruz Mountains, Rancho Cañada del Oro is an open space preserve that has miles of trail through chaparral and oak woodland. We'll bird along just a small portion of these trails, meandering with the Llagas and Baldy Ryan Canyon Creeks. We'll look and listen for the birds of winter and possible straggler migrants. Expected are raptors, warblers, flycatchers and grosbeaks and condors if lucky.

Trip Difficulty: 2 miles, paved, gravel and dirt trails; little or no elevation gain; some shade

Leaders: Craige Edgerton (408) 460-1102 and Peg Albrets (408) 891-3554

Beginner Friendly, Family Friendly All Ages, Wheelchair Accessible

Meet: Overflow Parking Lot

Directions: From US-101, exit Bailey Ave. Continue west on Bailey Ave for 3 miles. Turn left onto McKean Rd, continue for 2.5 miles, then turn right onto Casa Loma Rd. The preserve is located at the end of Casa Loma Rd. Do not park in the main (first) parking lot. Use the overflow parking lot, 1/4 mile past the main lot Latitude/Longitude: 37.144854, -121.779080.

Facilities: ADA accessible pit toilet, cell coverage may be intermittent or non-existent

Parking Type and Fees: dirt parking lot

Questions? Email general questions to fieldtrips@scvas.org or contact the trip leader for questions regarding the event.