Join a leisurely-paced hike with Docent Naturalists Frances Reneau and Helena Cohen on a quest to learn about grasses. California's Mediterranean, summer-dry climate spells doom for the annual, non-native species. By fall, they have long since dropped their seeds and turned to gold. In contrast, native perennial bunchgrasses with their deep roots survive the rainless months and stay green among the golden blades. How many can you find along the Grasshopper Loop and Harrington Creek trails?
Meet at the Sears Ranch Road Parking Area off Highway 84 in La Honda. From Highway 280, exit Sand Hill Road and head west. Turn right onto Portola Road; make a sharp left onto CA-84 West. Turn right onto Sears Ranch Road (13.6 miles). From Highway 1, take CA-84 East/La Honda Road/San Gregorio Road and turn left on Sears Ranch Road (9.2 miles).