Chinatown Branch Library Coastal Transit to Trails: Coastal Oak Woodlands at King Gillette Ranch

To better prepare for our trip, we are asking participants to take 5-10 mins to read the following information.

Meet up location: Corner of Ord St. & N. Hill St. near Chinatown Branch Library at 8:30am

Upon arrival, CNC staff will assist Chinatown community members to check-in and  fill out program waivers. Once everyone is signed in, we will dive into an ice breaker. We will then board a bus and make our way to King Gillete Ranch (approximately 8 miles away from the CA coast) , which will take about an hour (depending on traffic). Please bring a mask to use during our bus ride to and from Chinatown Branch Library.

As soon as we arrive at King Gillette Ranch, we will provide time for a restroom break, for those who need it, then stroll over to KGR's oak grove tabling area. CNC's Lead Naturalist, Bree Salzar will lead us into a Land Acknowledgement and help us familiarize with the space.  After our site introduction, Bree will lead an interpretive hike to understand the past history of King Gillette Ranch within the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as learn and connect with our local coastal oak relatives; as we stroll throughout these sacred lands to Inspirational Loop trail the terrain will be mostly made up of a dirt and uneven path; the hike will consist of approximately 1.5 miles with inclines and declines, a 246ft elevation.

Lunch will take place after the hike to Inspirational Loop. 

After lunch, Bree will lead a landscape art activity where we will get to create our very own landscape interpretation of the Santa Monica Mountains, all materials will be provided. At around 2:25pm, everyone will gather for a closing circle and then transition to experience and enjoy KGR's Visitor Center. If you would like to purchase souvenirs from their guest store, please bring cash or card. Once everyone has experienced KGR's Visitor Center, at around 3:25pm we will gather up to board our bus and head back to Chinatown Branch Library.

We expect the weather at King Gillette Ranch to have plenty of sunshine with 73° during the day and 51° later on at sunset (subject to change), so layer up with thin breathable layers that can easily be removed or added (think  layers like in onions!). We will spend 8:30am- 5:00pm (about 8.5 hours) together, so make sure to bring enough water, a nice filling lunch, a backpack to carry your belongings, a sweater to use once temperatures lower, and curiosity for the coastal oaks. Please make sure to arrive at the corner of Ord and Hill St. near Chinatown Branch Library on time (5-10 mins early) because the bus will not wait; and in honor of people's time, we would love to follow our schedule accordingly.

When registering for this event, make sure to add your correct email and phone number, so that you can receive more details of what to expect on our trip and any recent program changes. CNC's Transit to Trails programming is FREE, so please remember to use the coupon code (case sensitive): KGRchinatown that was provided to register for our trip!

Reminders: We will be strolling through King Gillette Ranch, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. We are expecting the day to have plenty of sunshine, so bring proper attire and/or products to protect your skin. Please note, the max UV Index for this day will be 10, very high!

COVID POLICY: Masks are required at all times while indoors or on the bus. Masks are encouraged at all times during the program.

If you need any access needs (ways that we can help you have a safe and enjoyable experience) or need to communicate with CNC staff about our Transit to Trails, please reach out to our Program Coordinator, Zee Zetino zee@communitynatureconnection.org AND ttt@communitynatureconnection.org.

Please familiarize yourself with the following: 

Covid Guidelines 

Wavier & Photo Release Form