Saturday, March 11th - 10:00 AM - Register Now
A Geological History of San Diego
ROCK ON! The forces of plate tectonics, volcanism, erosion and time are combined to create amazing geological stories. What happened over hundreds and millions of years that helped to produce the San Diego landscape we see today. Hosted by Mike Thacker.
Saturday, March 11th - 1:00 PM - FULL
Baking and Braiding Bread
Ages 15 to 90! Bread Making was first! Then came yeast cakes! Learn a tradition thousands of years old with an experienced bread maker and docent of the Sikes Adobe, Diane Hillman. Participants will take home what they made in class!
Saturday, March 18th - 10:00 AM - Register Now
Family Ride with San Diego Mountain Biking Association
Family Fun on Bikes - learn from this biking association some skill training and then we head out for an easy ride with points of interest like the Battle of Mule Hill and our Coast to Crest Trail. - www.sdmba.com
Saturday, March 18th - 1:00 PM - Register Now
California Mountain Lion Project
Cougar Biologist Jamie Bourdon of UC Davis Wildlife Health Center's Mountain Lion Project will discuss the ongoing research of Mountain Lions in San Diego County. Focuses on the importance of land conservation and wildlife corridors for the Big Cats.
Saturday, March 25th - 10:00 AM - Register Now
Native Plant Walk
San Diego County has more native plants than any other county in the United States...find out what is so unique to here while we take a two mile walk into the plant communities with James Dillane of the California Native Plant
Society. - www.cnps.org
Saturday, March 25th - 1:00 PM - Register Now
Mask Making Demo
Glyph Masks are original handmade masks for good luck and the rituals of modern life. They are all original and made from queen palm husks. This demo will cover selecting the palm husks, preparation, design and creation of a mask. Everyone will participate in designing a mask with host Ken Gill.
Saturday, April 1st - 10:00 AM - Register Now
Wilderness Survival
Bring the family and learn what everyone should do if separated or lost in the wilderness and what to do to reduce your risk. Basic lifesaving steps and lost person behavior will be covered. Note: This program is not about food gathering, shelter or fire building. Adult accompaniment required, 3 children to 1 adult please. Minimum age is 7 years old. Hosted by Steve Scarano.
Saturday, April 1st - 1:00 PM - Register Now
History Hike from Sikes to Mule Hill
Join an SDRP ranger and docent as they separate fact from fiction and piece together the events that led to the most historically significant battle in California during the Mexican American War. Easy two mile hike. - www.sdrp.org
Saturday, April 8th - 10:00 AM - Register Now
Citizen Science - Wildlife Tracking in the River Park
Calling all Citizen Scientists! A fun morning of tracking wildlife in the River Park. Learn how to identify tracks and from coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, deer and other wildlife in the area. Come prepared to hike and search for real tracks as part of the San Dieguito Citizen Science Monitoring Program with Jess Norton of the SDRVC. - www.sdrvc.org
Saturday, April 8th - 1:00 PM - Register Now
Animals and US
Jump into the world of animals! Zovargo will take you on a journey into the world of local wildlife and share how you can help to protect these special animals! Learn about local species and their cousins in this up-close encounter where you can see, touch, and discover what makes them so unique to our local environment! - www.zovargo.org
Saturday, April 15th - 10:00 AM - Register Now
A Photographic Hike from Coast to Crest
Landscape and nature photographer Alexander Kunz presents his favorite photos from the San Dieguito River Park. A native of Germany, he fell in love with our region's natural environment and will take us on a unique “photo hike” through the entire Park.
Saturday, April 15th - 1:00 PM - Register Now
California Wolf Center
Old fairy tales and myths continue to haunt wolves and stir up fears and concerns based on misunderstanding. Stand up for this intelligent and highly social animal who plays a key role in a healthy ecosystem. We can coexist with this animal once feared says host Frank Capolupo of the CA Wolf Center. - www.californiawolfcenter.org
Saturday, April 22nd - 10:00 AM - Register Now
Nature Poetry
Haiku is an accessible means of capturing a moment in a 3-line poem that anyone can learn. Haiku honors special moments and appreciates nature. The class will include Haiku readings, nature walks, and instruction for creating Haiku poems from your experience. For those who choose, there will be art cards to decorate and copy your favorite Haiku to remind you to slow down and marvel at the beauty around you. Hosted by Anna Benson, Karen Hawthorn and Antonet O’Toole.
Saturday, April 22nd - 1:00 PM - Register Now
10,000 Years - The Archaeological History of San Diego
Over 30,000 archaeological sites have been discovered in San Diego County. These sites contain the material culture of people who came to the region over 10,000 years ago. Join us and meet some ancient people who shared our home! Cindy Stankowski, Director of the San Diego Archaeological Center is our host! - www.sandiegoarchaeology.org
Saturday, April 29th - 10:00 AM - Register Now
Plein Air Painting for Children
Designed for children ages 6 to 12. Students will use contour drawing techniques to create a watercolor painting from the historic farmstead environment around the Sikes Adobe. Hosted by artist Chris Clark and supplies are provided!
Saturday, April 29th - 1:00 PM - Register Now
Original Music
Musicians, Ken Gill and Bill Heartwell specialize in making original weaves from Blues, Americana, Western Irish and Native American themed music. This duo creates welcoming songs, comfortable as the back porch and refreshing as the wind on our trails.
Thank you for attending these amazing programs:
Saturday, January 7th - 10:00 AM
The Transformation of Grizzly Adams: A Living History Experience
Storyteller Richard Halsey of the Chaparral Institute illuminates the years surrounding California in 1850's and the adventures of the great Grizzly Bear Hunter, James Capen, known as "Grizzly Adams". - www.californiachaparral.com
Saturday, January 7th - 1:00 PM
Sky Hunters - Birds of Prey!
See live, non-releasable birds of prey up close! Learn about their habits, what they eat and what to do if you find an injured or orphaned wild animal such as these and more. Hosted by Nancy Conney, Director of the Sky Hunters Raptor Rehabilitation and Education. - www.skyhunters.org
Saturday, January 14th - 10:00 AM
Bird Watching and a Walk in the Valley
You hear the birds everywhere - can you identify them? Enjoy a brief talk and then hike the San Pasqual Valley with Tom Trowbridge of the Palomar Audubon Society as you become a "birding" naturalist and discover the inhabitants of our local ecosystem flying above us. - www.palomaraudubon.org
Saturday, January 14th - 1:00 PM
Drawing and Painting History
Designed for children 6 to 12 years – learn to draw in a realistic fashion and use watercolor to add dimension to your artwork. Hosted by artist Chris Clark and supplies are provided!
Saturday, January 21st - 10:00 AM
Dangerous Snakes of San Diego County
Recognize dangerous snake species, particularly those found in San Diego County, and learn what to do when you encounter them. See a display of live native snakes and learn important skills! Hosted by Steve Bledsoe of the Southwestern Field Herping Associates - www.swfieldherp.com
Saturday, January 21st - 1:00 PM
Naturalist, Adobes, and Lighthouses / Early San Diego History
National Park Service Ranger Tavio del Rio takes us to early San Diego through the eyes of naturalists during mission secularization and onward, documenting California ecology history. This historical journey will explore the Point Loma Lighthouse and its connection to the Sikes Adobe.
Saturday, January 28th - 10:00 AM
Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to your Garden
Learn the steps to create a beautiful, thriving nature wonderland by growing a hummingbird and butterfly friendly garden plus a discussion how this will benefit your gardens overall. Hosted by Marcia Van Loy, a 15-year UCCE San Diego Master Gardener Volunteer.
Saturday, January 28th - 1:00 PM
Astronomy - Super! Nova!
Learn from a local astronomer and astro-photographer Bill Carter about the bright and distant objects you see. Have you wondered what are they? Is it a nebula, galaxy, or supernova? Also learn how to use a compass and a sky-map so you can enjoy the mystery of the dark skies.
Saturday, February 4th, 11th, & 18th - 1:00 & 3:00 PM
Valentine’s Day Teas ($15 per person)
Invite a loved one to Tea at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead. Now in its 5th year! This unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is presented by the Friends of Sikes Adobe. Offered 3 Saturdays in a row, either 1:00 PM or 3:00 PM. Includes tea service, sandwiches and sweets.
Saturday, February 25th - 10:00 AM
Family Ride with San Diego Mountain Biking Association
Family Fun on Bikes - learn from this biking association some skill training and then head out for an easy ride with points of interest like the Battle of Mule Hill and our Coast to Crest Trail. - www.sdmba.com
Saturday, February 25th - 1:00 PM
Celebrating the Humble Honey Bees
Honey Bees are VIB's! Bees enable the production many crops in North America, playing a vital role in keeping fruits, nuts, and vegetables in our diet. However, Honey Bees are disappearing at an alarming rate, due in part to a phenomenon referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder. In this session, you will learn about the Honey Bee lifecycle, the beekeeper’s role, how hive products are produced, and what can be done to help support local bee populations. Hosted by Claire Winnick, Owner and Beekeeper of RFB Family Farms and Apiaries.
Saturday, March 4th - 10:00 AM
History Talk
Historian and blacksmith Steven Van Wormer will present the history of settlement in the San Pasqual Valley during the 19th century by pioneer farmers such as the Sikes family and how it later led to the settling of the remote Pamo Valley in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Saturday, March 4th - 1:00 PM
Cannon History Talk
Join SOHO San Diego, the Bandy Blacksmiths, and SDRP as we learn about early San Diego with a presentation on William Augustus Begole’s Cannon. The cannon, constructed to celebrate the first centennial celebration of the Fourth of July, was lost after WW2 and only recently discovered and restored to its firing condition. Talk will end in a firing of the cannon itself.