Author: Margaret Leonard

The Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge is a true gem of a destination.  The Refuge is hidden in plain view a mile off busy Highway 1.  Take the Del Monte/Marina exit, turn right off the ramp and you’ll find a dirt road leading to the parking lot.  At the lot, take a very informative brochure and map and begin to wander.  You will not be disappointed.  I took a quick visit yesterday to take a look at the river in anticipation of our walkers making the crossing and while I was out hiking around I was thrilled to see many nesting Avocets, Caspian Terns, and a Brant’s Goose sitting on her nest.  Mallards swam with their ducklings while the Ruddy Duck’s paraded through the pond displaying their bright blue bills.  The Snowy Plovers are also nesting in the protected areas that are roped off on the dunes.  The next time you are traveling between Monterey and Santa Cruz take the exit and enjoy an hour or so in a magical place.

As you walk from Santa Cruz to Monterey you walk through many miles of white sandy dunes through Marina State Beach a part of the area known as the Marina Dunes Nature Preserve. The town of Marina is host to our Walk the Bay on night number 4. Marina was named in 1918 and became incorporated in 1975, gaining the distinction of being the youngest city on the Monterey Bay. Marina is less than 10 miles from the oldest city on the Monterey Bay, Monterey (named in 1692 by Captain Vizcaino after the Viceroy of New Spain, Count de Monte Rey). Walk the Bay walkers will not be surprised to learn that the Marina area was once a major center for industrial sand mining. The Marina State Beach has some of the finest, softest sand you will experience on Walk the Bay.

Beach walkers inevitably come across debris at the tide line. Sometimes it’s unique and surprising. However, most often it’s offensive and upsetting. In recent years it has become obvious that plastics are everywhere in great numbers, including the pristine Monterey Bay. Our walkers help reduce plastic pollution by volunteering to pick up plastic debris along the shore. Here are some alarming facts about ocean garbage.  Visit Save Our Shores for more information.

Our local paper had a great column today. Claudia Sternbach manages to capture the essence of what a slow adventure walker is. Our walkers love the great outdoors, exercise, and discovery….however, they also love a cold drink, warm bed, and good food at the end of the day.  We’ve already had numerous inquiries from hikers and walkers who have been waiting to explore Monterey Bay in this unbeatable style.  Read her column!

Who knew you could fulfill many of you favorite cycling dreams right here in Santa Cruz? Meet Marty Abaurrea, the owner and chief guide for Santa Cruz Bike Tours. Marty creates dream bicycle adventure tours….whether you want to enjoy extreme single track cycling in the redwoods followed by wine tasting at a secluded family estate winery….or, would rather pedal along the coast, sampling brewpubs and checking out the waves. Slow Adventures is proud to partner with Santa Cruz Bike Tours for our excursions during the Walk the Bay adventure or throughout a multi-sport custom walking tour. Check out www.santacruzbiketours.com and dream!