Located right on Highway 101, a few miles north of San Francisco, Olompali State Historic Park brings visitors glimpses of the past while they enjoy the natural beauty of the present.
Please write to California representatives to ask them to support the parks. If you don't live in California, your letters still are important, particularly if parks influence your interest in visiting the state. Remember that this is an economic issue, so it will help if you write about the money you spend at local businesses while you are visiting the parks. You can also support one of the foundations that is helping to fund the threatened parks. You can find a list of foundations here.
To find out more about what you can do to help save California's State Parks by going to the California State Parks Foundation webside (http://www.calparks.org/).
Please also check the Save Our State Parks website (http://savestateparks.org/) and follow them on Facebook.
Thank you!!!
A Colorful History
The lower region of the park contains ranch buildings and artifacts. The area was a ranch through much of the 19th century. It later became a Jesuit retreat and was, for a short time in the 1960s, leased by the Chosen Family Commune. The Grateful Dead also lived there for a time and the portrait on the back of the album Aoxomoxoa was taken there.
Miwok Village
A charming trail up the hill leads visitors to a recreation of a Miwok village. The Miwok lived in the area from 6000 BC until the mid 19th century. A recreated Miwok village and interpretive signs describe the lives of the area's original inhabitants.
Abundant Wildlife
Even if you are not interested in the history of the area, Olompali State Historic Park is worth a visit. Take one of the trails that wind through the oak covered hills, watch the wildlife, and you'll soon understand why the Grateful Dead chose to hang out there!