Big Sur: See California condors on the coast

Haven’t heard of the Ventana Wilderness Society? They’re the nonprofit organization responsible for reintroducing California Condors to the state’s central coast since 1996. Although the species is slowly making a comeback, California Condors are still among the world’s rarest birds. This fall, the VWS is giving you some educational and entertaining reasons to make a trip north up Hwy. 1 to Big Sur, where the wild condors nest in coastal redwood trees. The VWS calendar of special events ranges from biologist-led field trips and bird banding workshops to a photography exhibit and winemakers’ dinner.

Deal: The VWS offers monthly guided condor-spotting field trips in Big Sur for $50/person; the next trips are on September 16 and October 21, 2007. At the Big Sur Lodge in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the photography exhibit “Condors of the Coast” opens on September 27, with a reception at 5 p.m. featuring a talk about the species recovery program by a wildlife biologist, followed by a four-course dinner with wine pairings from Heller Estate Vineyards in the Carmel Valley.

Know of other great birding spots along California’s central coast? Tell us where by posting in the Comments section below.

When: The Ventana Wilderness Society frequently puts on special events; check the website for what’s happening next.

Why Go: There are only about 350 California Condors currently living in the wild, including at Big Sur. Plus, the proceeds from attending VWS events benefit an excellent environmental cause.

Why Not: Big Sur is not the only place to see California Condors. They have also been reintroduced in Baja California and the Grand Canyon.

Contact: Ventana Wilderness Society, (831) 455-9514, (877) 897-7740
Big Sur Lodge, (831) 667-3100, (800) 424-4737

Related Los Angeles Times links:
3rd Annual Monterey Bay Birding Festival
In Big Sur, Treebones Resort offers simple beauty
Big Sur: Skip the hotel, book a Treebones yurt

– Sara Benson, L.A. Times Travel Deal Detective

[Photo credit: LAT / Stan Russell]

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This entry was posted on Saturday, September 8, 2007 at 10:02 am by Sara Benson and is filed under Big Sur, California, California's Central Coast, Eco-Travel, Fall, Family & Kids, Islands & Beaches, Northern California, Outdoors & Adventure, San Luis Obispo. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.