Natural Bridges Migration Festival

Natural Bridges State Park

11:00 am to 4:00 pm

On Saturday, February 9, from 11:00am to 4:00pm, California State Parks invites you to fly, swim, waddle, walk, bike or drive to the annual Migration Festival at Natural Bridges State Beach.  This event celebrates the migratory journeys of our region’s diverse wildlife with activities, interpretive hikes, educational booths, and speakers. Over 20 organizations will share the science and wonder of migration, speakers will present talks about migratory animals, there will be habitat hikes, active games and crafts for children, face painting, butterfly gardening, and skits, along with live music by the Mystic Troubadours, Marty O’Connor & Chris Lynch, and the nature-loving 5M’s Band.  

The theme for the festival is “The perks of parks as welcoming way-stations for wildlife,” featuring how parks provide a safe migratory path and essential habitat for animals in migration. “Shorebirds that fly south for winter need sustenance. As they travel through our area they rest and refuel. Pescadero marsh, Wilder Ranch wetlands preserve, Natural Bridges’ Moore creek wetlands, and many more coastal state parks provide vital habitat to help them survive their journey,” notes Jodi Apelt, a State Park Interpreter. Many animals migrate to our area, “Elephant seals make a remarkable double migration to Año Nuevo’s broad expanse of sand dunes– once to molt their fur and a second time for birthing and breeding season each winter,” adds Apelt. You can make new discoveries about these migratory animals and more and wish a fond farewell to migratory monarch butterflies leaving Natural Bridges at this year’s Migration Festival.  This event is FREE and fun for the whole family!

Natural Bridges State Beach is located at the end of West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz.  Take Swift Avenue west from Highway 1, or follow West Cliff Drive north along the in-town bluffs until it ends at Natural Bridges. For more information, call the park at (831)423-4609, or visit http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=541.