West Cuesta Ridge Botanical Area, Santa Lucia Mountains
Hike begins at the Botanical Area sign, Los Padres National Forest. Emphasis: Coast Range geology, Franciscan and Serpentine rock formations; Chaparral and Sargent Cypress (Closed-Cone Coniferous) Forest plant communities; fire ecology; native plant and wildflower identification; birding and wildlife sightings; wildlife tracking. Trip rating: moderately strenuous, mostly level terrain ~2 miles distance
East Cuesta Ridge, Santa Lucia Mountains
Hike begins at pullout near Cuesta Pass summit. Emphasis: Coast Range geology; Monterey
Shale rock formation; Chaparral and Knobcone Pine (Closed-cone Coniferous) Forest
plant communities; fire ecology; native plant and wildflower identification; birding
and wildlife sightings; wildlife tracking Trip rating: strenuous, some uphill terrain
with significant elevation gain, ~ 2 miles distance
Suggested item to bring: sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, dress warm in layers, binoculars, camera, water, snacks, and sack lunch
Van transportation included.
$4 parking permit required to leave your vehicle on campus
WEATHER POLICY. If a class is canceled due to safety or weather issues, students will be notified by Cuesta Community Program. The class will be rescheduled or full refunds will be given. If the class or program is on the weekend, the instructor will make the decision and call all registered.
DATES: 1 Saturday. April 11, 2026.
TIME: 8:00am-4:00pm
- 8:00-9:00am- Lecture
- 9:00am-4:00pm- Field Trip
FEE: $68
LOCATION: San Luis Obispo Campus Room 4110
INSTRUCTOR: Steve Schubert
QUESTIONS: Contact instructor at S_schub1@msn.com
Class Schedule – Please Note:
Our class schedules may be subject to change. You can view the most current class
status anytime on the Community Programs website. To stay up to date after registering,
please monitor your email, as any changes will be sent to the email address we have
on file.
| Meet the instructor | |
|---|---|
|
Steve Schubert |
Steve Schubert has a Master's Degree in Biological Sciences. He has worked as an instructor at the Audubon Camp in Maine and as a naturalist on cruise ships through the Inside Passage to Alaska. Steve teaches at an outdoor school for 6th graders and has taught high school biology and earth science courses. He is the volunteer coordinator for the Hi Mountain Lookout Project. He began teaching natural history classes for Cuesta College Community Programs in 1993. |