Accessible Bird Walk

Saturday, November 8, 2025

11 am to 1pm

Olompali State Historic Park

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!

Fall Bird Walk

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

8 am to 12 noon

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.

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You can now check out a FREE vehicle day-use pass at your local public library.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.