Park for free at Olompali State Historic Park when you borrow a State Parks pass from your local public library! The pass lasts for one week. We can’t wait to see you!
Get your free State Parks Pass at your local library. It lasts for one week.
Come join Historian Brian Crawford in a walk and talk exploring Olompali’s Old Historic Roads, including the El Camino Real that passed through Olompali in the early 19th Century.
Date: Saturday, May 16th, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Olompali State Historic Park, meet in the parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smartphone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
When you RSVP, please indicate which event you wish to attend.
Plants at Olompali's Ethnobotanical Garden
Presented by the Museum of the American Indian in Partnership with Marin organizations, including Friends of Olompali!
Identify ways to partners with members of the indigenous community and other local organizations to help promote and preserve native plants in our community. topics of exploration: native plant gardening/landscaping, native plant seed collecting/exchange, reading resources, indigenous community initiatives and foraging in Marin County.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, rain or shine
Location: Museum of the American Indian, Miwok Park, Novato
Come Join Noelle Olompali Barton and Larry Otis for their third in a three part series on Olompali in the 1960's, the home for the Grateful Dead in 1966 and a commune created by the Chosen Family from 1967 to 1969. They will lead a walk through the park's historic zone and bring the era to life through historic photographs and displays.
Date: Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Septagon (on the path between the parking lot and Visitor Center)
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check or via smartphone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
*When you RSVP, please state which event you wish to attend.
Come join Diane Einstein in a walk and talk about Mary Burdell’s intact yet shrouded historic 2 ½ acre Victorian Garden and Grounds, told through historic photographs and restoration planning documents.
Dates: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot, continue to the Carriage Road and through Mary’s historic Victorian Garden.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free weekly State Park pass from your local public library.
*When you RSVP please state which event you want to attend in the subject line.
Join us on this intentionally slow-paced outing at Olompali State Historic Park. Bird lovers of all experience levels are welcome as we look and listen for birds, admire their beauty, and discuss their behaviors. This walk will be led by Judy Smith and Evan Weissman, and is designed for people with mobility disabilities, others who may benefit from an accessibility-focused bird outing, and their companions.
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Location: Olompali State Historic Park
We'll meet in the paved parking lot which has one van accessible parking space, two reserved accessible spaces, and additional spaces which will be temporarily marked for van accessible parking. The walk will begin along a level, well-packed decomposed granite path, past the Visitor Center with accessible restrooms about a 100 yards from the parking lot. After that, our path becomes a wide road with rough gravel and packed dirt, with a slope of up to about 6 percent in parts. We'll explore for birds around the historic buildings, Victorian Gardens, Olompali Creek, and continue to the historic ranch barns, about .25 miles from the parking lot. There are several picnic tables to rest at along the partially-shaded route. Because the walk is a slow out-and-back, folks are welcome to join late or leave early as needed.
Wear layered clothing, bring snacks, water, and binoculars if you have them. We'll also have some binoculars to loan.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smartphone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park day pass from your local public library.
RSVP below, and please indicate if you have any questions or accessibility requests that may support you in this outing. Note that inclement weather will cancel, and will be confirmed via email the day before.
This walk is limited to 15 participants so RSVP early if interested!
A visit to the land of Drake (1579), Cermeno (1595), and Vizcaino (1603)
This partner hike takes place at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes, and is led by Drakes Navigator Guild.
Take a hike to visit the estuary and bay along the southern coast of Point Reyes peninsula, the landfall of Francis Drake's Golden Hind in 1579.
The earliest written historic site in northern California
Many historic "firsts" occurred here, including the first meetings between Englishmen and Native Americans, the first Protestant service in the future USA, and the application of "New England" to the land, before Plymouth, Roanoke and Jamestown.
The site is nearly unchanged in four and a half centuries, but few people get to the site.
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
(Other 2026 dates: July 18th, August 22nd, and September 6th)
Schedule:
10:30 am -- Meet at Point Reyes National Seashore's Drake's Beach Ken Patrick Visitor Center. Check your visitor center--many hikers often go to the wrong visitor center.
11:15 am -- Depart on the hike to Drake's Cove--Drake's landing site with discussion on the way
1:30 pm (approx) -- Return to Drake's Beach
What to bring:
Lunch. No services will be available at Drake's Beach.
Folding chair if desired for opening talk
Backpack with water, snacks, sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes--most of the hike is on the hard sand beach
Layers of clothing -- weather can be quite warm or windy and cold
No dogs, per NPS regulations.
Questions and to RSVP: Mike Von der Porten (707) 525-1625 or mikevdpca@aim.com
This is a public hike offered by the Drake's Navigator Guild. Participation is limited to 25 people per NPS rules.
There is no charge for this event.
Rein orchid, Piperia transversa, in bloom at Olompali
Come hike the Olompali Miwok Trail with Botanist and Entomologist Clint Kellner and Certified California Naturalist Madeline Kellner to look for the small delicate flowers of the summer-blooming rein orchid, Piperia transversa. We will see the rare Napa false indigo shrub, coyote mint, California fescue grasslands, and blue oaks. We will also gain a deeper appreciation for our local ecology and have a lot of fun along the way! This event is a partnership of Friends of Olompali and the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.
The loop hike is about 3 miles round trip, on gravel and rough dirt trails, with a slope of up to 20 degrees in portions. Wear layered clothing, study walking shoes, and bring snacks, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Time: 9 am to 12 noon
Location: Meet at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Questions: Please contact Clint Kellner at (415) 895-8591
Join archeologist John Pryor as he shares his memories of the archeological dig at Olompali in the 1970's!
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Location: meet at the Olompali parking lot. There will be an introductory talk outside the visitor center then short walks to see relevant sites.
From John Pryor:
Olompali is a place that is dear to my heart and played an important role in me becoming an archeologist. In my over 50-year career as a California Archeologist I have traveled far, but Olompali will always feel like home. When I was a teenager at Redwood High School, I had the opportunity to work at Olompali with my mentor Charlie Slaymaker. I joined his excavation from 1973 -1976. This was back in a time of hippie archeology. Much of how I was to do archeology at Fresno State had its roots in Charlie’s brand of archeology (broad exposures exploring features such as house floors, wet screening, and community-based archeology blending volunteers and students). Olompali was not even a state park at that time and I was able to explore the burned out Burdell Mansion. I lived there during the summer months, first in a teepee and later in the old bath house next to where the pool was. Also, it was not long after the commune days and there was plenty of evidence remaining of that time. I will combine a talk and walking tour, full of stories and maybe even a ghost story or two!
What to bring:
water, snacks
sunscreen
sturdy shoes
Cost: There is no cost for the event but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check or via smartphone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Parks pass from your local public library.
California Quail
Join us for a bird walk at the peak of breeding season! Birders of all experience levels are welcome to join leader Evan Weissman as we explore the park looking and listening for birds, and for signs of their breeding status. We'll add our observations to the California Bird Atlas and discuss how all birders can easily contribute to this simple and important community science project documenting where and when different bird species are nesting across the state.
We'll walk at a fairly slow pace, about 2 miles roundtrip, on gravel and dirt trails, with a slope up to 20 degrees in short portions. There are several picnic tables to rest at along the partially-shaded route. Wear layered clothing, walking shoes, bring snacks, sunscreen, plenty of water, and binoculars if you have them. We’ll also have some binoculars to loan.
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Time: 8:30 am to 11:30 am
Location: Olompali State Historic Park, Meet in parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smartphone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Discovering Nature!
Use your senses to examine animal tracks, investigate scat, and spot wildlife, all while expanding your knowledge and appreciation of local flora and fauna! Come out to Olompali to immerse yourself in nature with an exciting discovery hike led by WildCare's Terwilliger Nature Guide Erin O'Brien.
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 PM
Olompali State Historic Park
FAMILIES WELCOME!
Noelle Olompali Barton at Olompali in the spring of 1968
Come Join Noelle Olompali Barton and Larry Otis for their second in a three part series on Olompali in the 1960's, the home for the Grateful Dead in 1966 and a commune created by the Chosen Family from 1967 to 1969. They will lead a walk through the park's historic zone and bring the era to life through historic photographs and displays.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Meet at the Septagon (on the path between the parking lot and Visitor Center)
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check or via smartphone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
*When you RSVP, please state which event you wish to attend.
Mourning Dove
It's always an exciting time to bird watch at Olompali! Beginning and experienced birders are invited to join leader Evan Weissman to view Olompali's diverse avian residents as we walk along the old ranch road up towards the park's reservoir.
Expect to see a wide variety of species that thrive in the park's oak savanna and open grasslands: raptors, swallows, nuthatches, woodpeckers and more. Sharpen your bird-identification skills, gain a deeper appreciation of our local ecology and have a lot of fun along the way!
We'll walk at a fairly slow pace, about 2 miles roundtrip, on gravel and dirt trails, with a slope of up to 20 degrees in short portions. There are several picnic tables to rest at along the partially-shaded route. Wear layered clothing, walking shoes, bring snacks, sunscreen, plenty of water, and binoculars if you have them. We'll also have some binoculars to loan.
Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meet in the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smartphone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
*When you RSVP, please state which event you wish to attend.
California sun cup (Camissioniopsis bistorta)
Come hike the Olompali Miwok Loop Trail with biologist and entomologist Clint Kellner and Madeline Kellner, certified California Naturalist, to see and identify spring wildflowers in bloom.
Expect to see a profusion of wildflowers along the trail as you hike through the park's oak savanna and open grasslands. Sharpen your plant identification skills, gain a deeper appreciation for our local ecology, and have a lot of fun along the way in this partnership with Friends of Olompali and the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society outing!
Wear layered clothing, sturdy walking shoes, and bring snacks, plenty of water, and a wildflower guide if you have one.
Date: Sunday, April 5, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Meet in the Olompali parking lot
Families Welcome!
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free weekly State Park pass from your local public library.
*When you RSVP, please state which event you want to attend in the subject line.
Come join Diane Einstein in a walk and talk about Mary Burdell’s intact yet shrouded historic 2 ½ acre Victorian Garden and Grounds, told through historic photographs and restoration planning documents.
Date: Saturday, March 28th, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot, continue to the Carriage Road and through Mary’s historic Victorian Garden.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free weekly State Park pass from your local public library.
*When you RSVP please state which event you want to attend in the subject line.
Noelle Olompali Barton at Olompali in the spring of 1968
Come join Noelle Olompali Barton and Larry Otis for their first in a three part series on Olompali in the 1960's, the home for the Grateful Dead in 1966 and a commune created by the Chosen Family from 1967 to 1969. They will lead a walk through the park’s historic zone and bring the era to life through historic photographs and displays.
Date: Saturday, March 21st, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Meet at the septagon (on the path between the parking lot and the Visitor Center).
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free weekly State Park pass from your local public library.
*When you RSVP please state which event you want to attend in the subject line.
Hermit Thrush, a common winter resident at Olompali
Join us on this intentionally slow-paced outing at Olompali State Historic Park. Bird lovers of all experience levels are welcome as we look and listen for birds, admire their beauty and discuss their behaviors. This walk will be led by Judy Smith and Evan Weissman, and is designed for people with mobility disabilities, others who may benefit from an accessibility-focused bird outing, and their companions.
We'll meet in the paved parking lot which has one van accessible parking space, two reserved accessible spaces, and additional spaces which will be temporarily marked for van accessible parking. The walk will begin along a level, well-packed decomposed granite path, past the Visitor Center with accessible restrooms about a 100 yards from the parking lot. After that, our path becomes a wide road with rough gravel and packed dirt, with a slope of up to about 6 percent in parts. We'll explore for birds around the historic buildings, Victorian Gardens, Olompali Creek, and continue to the historic ranch barns, about .25 miles from the parking lot. There are several picnic tables to rest at along the partially shaded route. Because the walk is a slow out-and-back, folks are welcome to join late or leave early as needed.
Wear layered clothing, bring snacks, water and binoculars if you have them. We'll also have two binoculars to loan.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park day pass from your local public library.
RSVP below, and please indicate if you have any questions or accessibility requests that may support you in this outing. Note that inclement weather will cancel, and will be confirmed via email the day before.
This walk is limited to 15 participants so RSVP early if interested!
Possible Rancho Olompali scene at El Camino Real in 1817
Carriage road. Entrance to Rancho Olompali
Rancho 0lompali. Mary Burdell's Victorian garden in the early 1870s
Mary Burdell, wedding day photograph, 1865
Redwood Empire Chinese Association, Filipino American Nat'l Historical Society - FANHS, Sonoma Chapter, Rancho Bodega Historical Society, Drake Navigators Guild, The Sea Ranch Archives Committee, John McCarty Books, Native Daughters of the Golden West, Sonoma County Genealogical Society, Sitting Room Library.
Cotati Historical Society, Sonoma County Library - Special Collections, Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery Preservation Committee, Western Sonoma County Historical Society, SSU History Society, SSU Department of History and Politics, Anthropological Studies Center at SSU, John C. Burton - Sonoma County History, County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor & Historical Records Commission, Sonoma County Historical Society, Northwestern Pacific Railroad Historical Society, Historical Society of Santa Rosa, Sonoma Coast Historic and Undersea Nautical Research Society (SCHUNRS), German Language School North Bay, The Marin History Museum, Rancho Olompali - Friends of Olompali, Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, Rancho Bodega Historical Society, Redwood Empire Chinese Association, Native Daughters of the Golden West, John McCarty Books, EFZM Engage, Pacific Coast Air Museum, Drake Navigators Guild, North Bay Italian Cultural Foundation, Museum of Sonoma County, Filipino American Nat'l Historical Society - FANHS, Japanese American Citizens League - JACL, The Sea Ranch Archives Committee, The Sitting Room Library, Sonoma County Genealogical Society, Tomales Regional History Center, Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, Russian River Historical Society, Windsor Historical Society, Saturday Afternoon Club, LGBTQ+Legacy, Lesbian Archives, LGBTQI Timeline, Jack London Park Partners, North Bay Civil War Roundtable, Petaluma Signs Project, Glen Ellen Historical Society, and more to come!
Santa Rosa History & Changes - John C. Burton
Black Trailblazers of Sonoma County - Evette Minor, EFZM Engage
Petals & Ice: The Life of Louise A. Boyd - Marcie Miller, Marin History Museum
Filipino American History in Sonoma County - Brenda Bautista, Filipino American Nat'l Historical Society
The film "Loyal American" - Henry Kaku, Japanese American Citizens League
Mapping the Northern End of El Camino Real - Peter Meyerhof, Sonoma Valley Historical Society
Friends of Olompali is looking for volunteers to help us at our booth!
Click below for more information:
Join leaders Rich Cimino and Evan Weissman to explore for fall migrants and year-round residents at Olompali State Historic Park!
Bird enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome. We expect to see and hear thirty or more species--including woodpeckers, raptors, sparrows and more-- as we walk along the old ranch road, exploring grasslands, historic gardens, savannah and up to the riparian zone by the park's small reservoir.
We'll walk at a fairly slow pace, about 2 miles roundtrip, on gravel and well-packed dirt trails, with moderate slope in portions. There are several picnic tables to rest at along the partially shaded route. Because the walk is a slow out-and-back, folks are welcome to leave early as needed. Note that the only restrooms are at the parking lot.
Wear layered clothing and walking shoes; bring snacks, sunscreen, plenty of water, binoculars, and a birding field guide if you have one. We'll also have two binoculars to loan.
Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park day pass from your local public library.
This partner hike takes place at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes, and is led by Drakes Navigator's Guild.
Take a hike to visit the estuary and bay along the southern coast of Point Reyes peninsula, the landfall of Francis Drake's Golden Hind in 1579.
The earliest written historic site in northern California – the landing place of Francis Drake in 1579.
Many historic “firsts” occurred here. These include the first meetings between Englishmen and Native Americans, the first Protestant service in the future USA, and the application of “New England” to the land, years before Plymouth, Roanoke or Jamestown.
The site is nearly unchanged in four and one-half centuries, but few people get to the location.
The hike starts with a 30 to 40 minute talk about the history and how Drake got to California.
Then, it’s a 1-1/2 mile walk down a hard-packed beach to the site. Participants can return at their own pace.
Four dates throughout the Summer:
Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:30 AM
Saturday, July 19, 2025 10:30 AM
Saturday, August 16, 2025 10:30 AM
Sunday, September 14, 2025 10:30 AM
Schedule:
10:30 AM - meet at Point Reyes National Seashore’s Drake’s Beach Ken Patrick Visitor Center for a 30-40 minute presentation on the history of Drake, the era, the voyage and the ship. (Check your visitor center – hikers often go to the wrong visitor center!)
11:15 AM - depart on hike. Hike to Drake’s Cove – Drake’s landing site with discussion along the way.
Approx. 1:30 PM –Arrive back at Drake’s Beach
Bring:
· A lunch. No services will likely be available at Drake’s Beach.
· Comfortable walking shoes. Most of the hike is along the hard-sand beach.
· Layers of jackets & ample clothing. It can be warm, almost hot, or quite windy and cold.
· Backpack with sunscreen, water, snacks, camera.
· Per NPS regulations, no dogs: contact NPS for details.
Questions, Please Contact: Mike Von der Porten (707) 525-1625 or mikevdpca@aim.com.
This is a free public hike being offered by the Drake Navigators Guild!
This partner hike takes place at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes, and is led by Drakes Navigator's Guild.
Take a hike to visit the estuary and bay along the southern coast of Point Reyes peninsula, the landfall of Francis Drake's Golden Hind in 1579.
The earliest written historic site in northern California – the landing place of Francis Drake in 1579.
Many historic “firsts” occurred here. These include the first meetings between Englishmen and Native Americans, the first Protestant service in the future USA, and the application of “New England” to the land, years before Plymouth, Roanoke or Jamestown.
The site is nearly unchanged in four and one-half centuries, but few people get to the location.
The hike starts with a 30 to 40 minute talk about the history and how Drake got to California.
Then, it’s a 1-1/2 mile walk down a hard-packed beach to the site. Participants can return at their own pace.
Four dates throughout the Summer:
Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:30 AM
Saturday, July 19, 2025 10:30 AM
Saturday, August 16, 2025 10:30 AM
Sunday, September 14, 2025 10:30 AM
Schedule:
10:30 AM - meet at Point Reyes National Seashore’s Drake’s Beach Ken Patrick Visitor Center for a 30-40 minute presentation on the history of Drake, the era, the voyage and the ship. (Check your visitor center – hikers often go to the wrong visitor center!)
11:15 AM - depart on hike. Hike to Drake’s Cove – Drake’s landing site with discussion along the way.
Approx. 1:30 PM –Arrive back at Drake’s Beach
Bring:
· A lunch. No services will likely be available at Drake’s Beach.
· Comfortable walking shoes. Most of the hike is along the hard-sand beach.
· Layers of jackets & ample clothing. It can be warm, almost hot, or quite windy and cold.
· Backpack with sunscreen, water, snacks, camera.
· Per NPS regulations, no dogs: contact NPS for details.
Questions, Please Contact: Mike Von der Porten (707) 525-1625 or mikevdpca@aim.com.
This is a free public hike being offered by the Drake Navigators Guild!
This partner hike takes place at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes, and is led by Drakes Navigator's Guild.
Take a hike to visit the estuary and bay along the southern coast of Point Reyes peninsula, the landfall of Francis Drake's Golden Hind in 1579.
The earliest written historic site in northern California – the landing place of Francis Drake in 1579.
Many historic “firsts” occurred here. These include the first meetings between Englishmen and Native Americans, the first Protestant service in the future USA, and the application of “New England” to the land, years before Plymouth, Roanoke or Jamestown.
The site is nearly unchanged in four and one-half centuries, but few people get to the location.
The hike starts with a 30 to 40 minute talk about the history and how Drake got to California.
Then, it’s a 1-1/2 mile walk down a hard-packed beach to the site. Participants can return at their own pace.
Four dates throughout the Summer:
Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:30 AM
Saturday, July 19, 2025 10:30 AM
Saturday, August 16, 2025 10:30 AM
Sunday, September 14, 2025 10:30 AM
Schedule:
10:30 AM - meet at Point Reyes National Seashore’s Drake’s Beach Ken Patrick Visitor Center for a 30-40 minute presentation on the history of Drake, the era, the voyage and the ship. (Check your visitor center – hikers often go to the wrong visitor center!)
11:15 AM - depart on hike. Hike to Drake’s Cove – Drake’s landing site with discussion along the way.
Approx. 1:30 PM –Arrive back at Drake’s Beach
Bring:
· A lunch. No services will likely be available at Drake’s Beach.
· Comfortable walking shoes. Most of the hike is along the hard-sand beach.
· Layers of jackets & ample clothing. It can be warm, almost hot, or quite windy and cold.
· Backpack with sunscreen, water, snacks, camera.
· Per NPS regulations, no dogs: contact NPS for details.
Questions, Please Contact: Mike Von der Porten (707) 525-1625 or mikevdpca@aim.com.
This is a free public hike being offered by the Drake Navigators Guild!
American Barn Owl roosting at Olompali
Join us for a very special nighttime hike in which we hope to hear or see some of the owls which hunt and nest here at Olompali State Historic Park! We’ll also look and listen for other birds as the sun sets, and will watch for other evening surprises such as bats, moths, and night-blooming soaproot. This walk will be co-led by State Park Interpreter Evan Weissman and Liz Lewis of the Marin Breeding Bird Atlas.
Depending on conditions and wildlife activity, we may hike in the dark as far as 3 miles on the Miwok Loop Trail, a rough dirt trail with a slope up to 20 degrees in sections, and potential poison oak on the sides of narrow stretches of the trail. The only restrooms are near the parking lot. Bring warm layers, hiking shoes, flashlight, and a sense of adventure!
Registration is strictly limited, so please RSVP only if you intend to attend, and notify us if circumstances change and you must cancel. There will be a waitlist if demand exceeds the registration limit. RSVP below, and please indicate if you have any questions.
Date: Sunday, June 29th
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Because we have reached the registration limit we will place your RSVP on the waiting list and will notify you just as soon as a spot/s open up.
This partner hike takes place at Drakes Beach in Point Reyes, and is led by Drakes Navigator's Guild.
Take a hike to visit the estuary and bay along the southern coast of Point Reyes peninsula, the landfall of Francis Drake's Golden Hind in 1579.
The earliest written historic site in northern California – the landing place of Francis Drake in 1579.
Many historic “firsts” occurred here. These include the first meetings between Englishmen and Native Americans, the first Protestant service in the future USA, and the application of “New England” to the land, years before Plymouth, Roanoke or Jamestown.
The site is nearly unchanged in four and one-half centuries, but few people get to the location.
The hike starts with a 30 to 40 minute talk about the history and how Drake got to California.
Then, it’s a 1-1/2 mile walk down a hard-packed beach to the site. Participants can return at their own pace.
Four dates throughout the Summer:
Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:30 AM
Saturday, July 19, 2025 10:30 AM
Saturday, August 16, 2025 10:30 AM
Sunday, September 14, 2025 10:30 AM
Schedule:
10:30 AM - meet at Point Reyes National Seashore’s Drake’s Beach Ken Patrick Visitor Center for a 30-40 minute presentation on the history of Drake, the era, the voyage and the ship. (Check your visitor center – hikers often go to the wrong visitor center!)
11:15 AM - depart on hike. Hike to Drake’s Cove – Drake’s landing site with discussion along the way.
Approx. 1:30 PM –Arrive back at Drake’s Beach
Bring:
· A lunch. No services will likely be available at Drake’s Beach.
· Comfortable walking shoes. Most of the hike is along the hard-sand beach.
· Layers of jackets & ample clothing. It can be warm, almost hot, or quite windy and cold.
· Backpack with sunscreen, water, snacks, camera.
· Per NPS regulations, no dogs: contact NPS for details.
Questions, Please Contact: Mike Von der Porten (707) 525-1625 or mikevdpca@aim.com.
This is a free public hike being offered by the Drake Navigators Guild!
Rein Orchid (Piperia transversa), which can be found at Olompali
Come hike the Olompali Miwok Loop Trail with Biologist & Entomologist Clint Kellner and Certified California Naturalist Madeline Kellner to look for the small delicate flowers of the summer-blooming rein orchid, Piperia transversa. We will see the rare Napa false indigo shrub, coyote mint, California fescue grasslands, blue oaks. We will also gain a deeper appreciation for our local ecology and have a lot of fun along the way in this partnership of Friends of Olompali and Marin Chapter California Native Plant Society outing!
This loop hike is about 3 miles roundtrip, on gravel and rough dirt trails, with a slope up to 20 degrees in portions. Wear layered clothing, walking shoes, bring snacks, sunscreen, and plenty of water.
Date: Saturday, June 14th
Time: 9 a.m. to Noon
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Questions: Please contact Clint and Madeline Kellner, (415) 895-8591 (Clint).
Juvenile European Starlings checking out a nesting cavity
June is a wonderful time to look and listen for juvenile birds begging from their parents, exploring their surroundings, and being adorable! Everyone is welcome to join leaders Rich Cimino and State Parks Interpreter Evan Weissman to discover Olompali’s diverse bird life. We’ll expect to see and hear thirty or more species as we walk along the old ranch road, exploring grasslands, historic gardens, savannah, and up to the riparian zone by the park’s small reservoir.
We’ll walk at a fairly slow pace, about 2 miles roundtrip, on gravel and dirt trails, with a slope up to 20 degrees in short portions. There are several picnic tables to rest at along the partially shaded route. Wear layered clothing, walking shoes, bring snacks, sunscreen, plenty of water, and binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. We’ll also have two binoculars to loan.
Date: Sunday, June 8th
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Rancho Olompali and Mary Burdell’s Historic Victorian Garden in the early 1870s
Come join Diane Einstein in a walk and talk about Mary Burdell’s intact yet shrouded Historic 2 ½ acre Victorian Garden and Grounds, told through historic photographs and restoration planning documents.
Date: Saturday, May 31
Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot, continue to the Carriage
Road and through Mary’s historic Victorian Garden.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Photo: CAQU. Caption “Female California Quail looking out for danger”
Join us on this intentionally slow-paced walk at the peak of spring breeding at Olompali. Bird lovers of all experience levels are welcome as we look and listen for birds, admire their beauty, and discuss their behaviors. This walk will be led by Rich Cimino and State Park Interpreter Evan Weissman, and is designed for people with mobility disabilities, those who enjoy slow birding, and all others who enjoy a casual pace.
Meet at 8:30 a.m. in the paved parking lot which has one van accessible parking space and two additional reserved accessible spaces. The walk will begin along a level, well-packed decomposed granite path, past the Visitor Center with accessible restrooms about 100 yards from the parking lot. After that, our path becomes a wide road with rough gravel and packed dirt, with a slope of up to about 6 percent in parts. We’ll explore for birds around the historic buildings, Victorian Gardens, Olompali creek, and continue to the historic ranch barns about .25 miles from the parking lot. There are several picnic tables to rest at along the partially shaded route. Because the walk is a slow out-and-back, folks are welcome to join late or leave early as needed.
Wear layered clothing, comfortable shoes, bring snacks, sunscreen, plenty of water, and binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. We’ll also have two binoculars to loan.
RSVP below, and please indicate if you have any questions or accessibility requests that may support you in this outing.
Date: Sunday, May 25
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Meet in the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
1860 drawing possibly depicting the Olompali Camilo Ynitia Adobe on the El Camino Real
Come join Historian Brian Crawford in a walk and talk exploring Olompali’s Old Historic Roads, including the El Camino Real that passed through Olompali in the early 19th Century.
Date: Saturday, May 17
Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
A vista of Olompali’s diverse habitats
Discover Olompali’s distinct habitats of grasslands, savanna, riparian, and oak woodlands with State Parks Interpreter Evan Weissman. Olompali has been a home for humans for thousands of years; join us for a hike where we will traverse Olompali's varied ecosystems and learn why!
Adults and children are welcome to attend, and we’ll explore at a fairly slow pace, about 2 miles roundtrip, on gravel and dirt trails, with moderate slope in portions. There are several picnic tables to rest at along the partially shaded route. Wear layered clothing, walking shoes, bring snacks, sunscreen, and plenty of water. RSVP below, and please indicate if you have any questions or accessibility requests that may support you in this outing.
Date: Sunday, May 4th
Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Explore Olompali’s flora and fauna with Wildcare Terwilliger Nature Guide Erin O’Brien
Discovering Nature!
Use your senses to examine animal tracks, investigate scat, and spot wildlife, all while expanding your knowledge and appreciation of local flora and fauna! Come out to Olompali to immerse yourself in nature with an exciting discovery hike led by WildCare’s Terwilliger Nature Guide Erin O’Brien.
Families Welcome!
Date: Sunday, April 27
Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Meet at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Noelle Olompali Barton at Olompali in the spring of 1968
Come join Noelle Olompali Barton and Larry Otis on a walk and talk about the park’s historic zone to revisit the Olompali Commune through historic photographs and displays.
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Start at the park’s Septagon, on to the Carriage Road,
then continue to the Barns and back.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Olompali slopes and wide-open grasslands
Join geology instructor Steven Newton on a geology walk and talk to explore Olompali’s unique geology and watershed. Olompali is situated on the slopes of Mount Burdell, a volcanic extrusion made up of andesitic lava flows and volcanic tuff breccia, while the oldest bedrock in the park are metamorphic rocks of Franciscan outcrops. Come join Professor Newton to see how it all came together!
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Meet in the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
California sun cup (Camissoniopsis bistorta) is a low growing native
Come hike the Olompali Miwok Loop Trail with Biologist & Entomologist Clint Kellner and Madeline Kellner to see and identify Spring Wildflowers in bloom. Expect to see a profusion of wildflowers along the trail as you hike through the park’s oak savanna and open grasslands. Sharpen your plant-identification skills, gain a deeper appreciation for our local ecology, and have a lot of fun along the way in this partnership of Friends of Olompali and Marin Chapter California Native Plant Society outing!
Wear layered clothing, walking shoes and bring snacks, plenty of water and a wildflower field guide if you have one.
Families Welcome!
Date: Sunday, April 6
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Meet in the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No parking is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Rancho Olompali and Mary Burdell’s Historic Victorian Garden in the early 1870s
Come join Diane Einstein in a walk and talk about Mary Burdell’s intact yet shrouded Historic 2 ½ acre Victorian Garden and Grounds, told through historic photographs and restoration planning documents.
Date: Saturday, March 29
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot, continue to the Carriage Road and through Mary’s historic Victorian Garden.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Noelle Olompali Barton at Olompali in the spring of 1968
Come join Noelle Olompali Barton and Larry Otis on a walk and talk about the park’s historic zone to revisit the Olompali Commune through historic photographs and displays.
Date: Saturday, March 22nd
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Start at the park’s Septagon, on to the Carriage Road, then continue to the Barns and back.
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
The Ash-Throated Flycatcher that nests at Olompali
It’s always an exciting time to bird watch at Olompali! Beginning and experienced birders are invited to join leader Rich Cimino and State Parks Interpreter Evan Weissman to view Olompali’s diverse avian residents as we walk the old ranch road to the park's reservoir.
Expect to see a wide variety of species that thrive in the park’s oak savanna and open grasslands: raptors, warblers, nuthatches, thrushes and – of course – many woodpeckers. Now as the Spring Equinox approaches and the migrants arrive in the park as they fly north, we will be looking to see the effects of climate change on the northern migration. Sharpen your bird-identification skills, gain a deeper appreciation for our local ecology, and have a lot of fun along the way!
We’ll walk at a fairly slow pace, about 2 miles roundtrip, on gravel and dirt trails, with moderate slope in portions. Wear layered clothing, walking shoes, bring snacks, plenty of water, and binoculars and a birding field guide if you have one. We’ll also have a few binoculars to loan.
Families Welcome!
Date: Sunday, March 16th
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Start at the Olompali parking lot
Cost: There is no charge for the event, but parking is $8. Pay by cash, check, or via smart phone with QR code at the parking lot. No fee is charged if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local public library.
Sunday, July 21, 8am – 11am
Join a guided bird tour at Olompali State Historic Park! Beginning and experienced birders can expect to see and hear many species as we explore along the meeting point of several diverse habitats and the historic Victorian garden, with its summer-flowering pepper and palm trees. We’ll seek to identify recently fledged chicks exploring their environment, and will discuss how and why birds thrive in these ecosystems.
We’ll proceed at a leisurely pace on a wide, firmly packed, dirt and gravel road with no steps. We will travel about .5 miles on this out-and-back route, with a gentle incline at the far end. There is some shade, and a few benches along the way. Bring sunscreen, water, and binoculars if you have them. We will have several pairs of binoculars to loan.
Meet in the Olompali parking lot at 8am. Parking is $8 per vehicle, via cash, check, or the Yodel app. There is no fee if you borrow a free State Park pass from your local library. There is no charge for the tour.
Led by Evan Weissman,
Interpreter, Olompali State Historic Park
