The adventure begins here! At Costanoa we offer your group more than meeting space and guest rooms. We are committed to creating a memorable experience with unique adventures and activities for groups who have never settled for the ordinary. All of our activities are designed to provide your group with the opportunity to surround yourselves in the pristine surroundings around Costanoa to Discover the Pace of Nature. All of the following opportunities can be customized to fit your groups unique needs. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an activity contact our Sales Manager at 650-879-7312 or oallan@costanoa.com.
Survivor at Costanoa
Since 2006 we have partnered with California Nature Treks to offer this unique offering. Part adventure race, part survival training simulation, this is an entertaining and challenging outdoor teambuilding experience for groups of 10-125. Besides the benefits and power of positive teamwork, participants will also learn essential survival skills ranging from emergency 1st AID, building shelters, finding and treating water to map and compass skills. This is a time sensitive event replete with surprise elements and a rapidly changing survival scenario that challenges participants to think and work creatively. In order to survive each team has to work cooperatively and efficiently to locate and overcome the survival challenges that have been strategically placed throughout the event area. Challenges range from physical tests to learning initiatives, which engage the participant's analytical and improvisational skills. Both full and half-day programs are available. 3.5 to 4 hours is optimal for the half-day program. For more details and testimonials of this event visit California Nature Trek's Website www.naturetreks.com.
Orienteering at Costanoa
Facilitated exclusively by California Nature Treks, Orienteering is a fun and stimulating outdoor adventure for groups of 10-400 people. Part Treasure Hunt and part Foot Race, teams are challenged to locate a series of checkpoints and controls in order to earn points. Using highly detailed Orienteering Maps, compasses and clue cards, teams work together to determine and prioritize routes to each checkpoint. This is a perfect event for groups with a diversity of physical abilities and skill sets. The biggest bonus is that the event takes place on some of the most scenic terrain on the California Coast. This event is best for groups with 2-2.5 hours. For more details and testimonials of this event visit California Nature Trek's Website. www.naturetreks.com
Cooking Wild at Costanoa
Our newest and most dynamic offering for smaller teams, Cooking Wild is a combination of Top Chef and Survivor, this unique cooking competition was designed specifically for Costanoa by California Nature Treks. This is a friendly competition among teams where participants forage for native plants, compete for cooking gear and start a fire using primitive or non-standard equipment. The final segment is spent creating a delicious meal ending with a judging session to determine which team’s dishes were deemed the most supreme. This is the most customizable of our team building events with many add-ons which can include “hunting” with bows and arrows, identifying animal tracks, testing your outdoor knowledge, skills challenges and much more. Add or remove segments to fit this in your groups’ schedule and interests. A standard Cooking Wild event is 2-2.5 hrs. For more details and testimonials of this event visit California Nature Trek's Website. www.naturetreks.com
Please contact the Costanoa Activities Department directly at oallan@costanoa.com to book any of the above events.
Interpretive Nature Hikes
Costanoa is surrounded by some of California's most beautiful State Park reserves. One of Costanoa's resident naturalists will guide your group on an interpretive walk covering topics like plant and animal life, spring wildflowers, coastal ecology, redwood forest ecology, bird life, and human and natural history. Hikes range from one to four hours, and are offered year round. Consider bringing a catered bag lunch on your adventure. Hike options include the following:
- Franklin Point
Three and a half mile meander through wild willow, hooker's primrose, bush lupine, and sandy dunes. Enjoy spectacular views of Pigeon Point and Auevo Island. If the wind is down, this hike offers great potential for whale watching. Take a break at the halfway point to observe passing California Sea Lions as well as the site of the 1864 wreck of the ship Sir John Franklin.- Ohlone Ridge
This is an intermediate level three and a half mile hike through the riparian corridor of Whitehouse Creek and then up through coastal scrub and Douglas Fir eco-systems. The peak of the trail offers sweeping vistas of the reefs and beaches south of Costanoa. This is an excellent option for those who want a little bit more of a workout as well as opportunities to see the local flora and fauna.- Upper Vista Point
For those who really want to get their heart rate up, this eight and a half mile advanced hike features beautiful views with over a 1,300 foot elevation gain. This hike offers ample opportunity to experience a diversity of ecosystems from Coastal Scrub up into the Redwood Rainforests. The final stop offers a stunning view from Pigeon Point to Waddell Creek. We recommend all groups set aside at least 4 hours to tackle this exceptional journey.Guided Mountain Bike Adventures
Mountain Biking is an excellent group activity as it serves as a way to explore our natural surroundings while giving the group a common challenge and unique outdoor experience. Our fleets of Specialized Rockhopper mountain bikes are available for your group for one and a half hour to full day experiences. Tours include guide services, bikes, helmets, water, and safety instruction. Tour opportunities include:
- Skyline to the Sea Trail
This is a one of a kind opportunity to explore California's first State Park. Meet your guide at the Waddell Creek trailhead 5 miles south of Costanoa. This is a 12 mile round trip designed for beginning to intermediate riders. Doublewide fire roads meander along Waddell Creek and eventually lead up to the spectacular Berry Creek Falls. Weekend trips can add on a side tour of the Rancho del Oso Nature Center.- Gazos Creek Road
For groups with a limited amount of time but want to see as much as possible and get some exercise as well. Tours start at Costanoa and take the Old Highway 1 to the North where you can take in the windswept views of Franklin Point Beach. Gazos Creek Road then meanders east into a land of towering Redwoods and massive Ferns. Stop and break along the creek bed to cool your feet before the downhill leg back to Costanoa. This intermediate ride takes up to 2 hours. For those who want to add on some mileage we can add a lunch stop in Pescadero and then return to Costanoa via Highway 1 South passing by Historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse on the way.- Butano Fire Roads
For the ambitious and experienced only! Warm up along 7 miles of country backroads before entering Butano State Park. Butano is home to a complex system of hidden fire roads that lead to exhilarating saddlebacks and unparalleled views of the surrounding State Parks. The final drop back into the Redwoods will challenge the most technically advanced riders. This is a half-day event geared for serious outdoor enthusiasts.Guided Sea Kayaking
Explore the marshes and estuaries of the inland Monterey Bay or hit the open ocean with our professional kayak guide. This is a great group experience that also provides you the opportunity to see the incredible diversity of wildlife along the central coast. As Costanoa is situated in such a unique location we can offer Kayak tours year round.
- Summer
Summer is a great time to travel south 30 minutes into the lee of Northern Monterey Bay. Here we can easily launch off of the Santa Cruz Municipal Pier into the nearby kelp forests where Sea Otters, Sea Lions and Dolphins await.- Fall
During the Fall we continue to offer tours out of the Santa Cruz Wharf as well as Pescadero Marsh, which sits 11 miles north of Costanoa. Marsh tours offer spectacular bird watching opportunities with common sightings of Blue Herons, Northern Harriers and a variety of Egrets.- Winter
Winter brings more challenging conditions and we base our tours out of the mouth of Elkhorn Slough. Located in the middle of what Steinbeck referred to as the "Fertile Crescent", tours of the Slough are highlighted by sightings of Harbor Seals, Skates, Rays and a wealth of Birdlife.- Spring
For those that are up to the challenge, in the spring we offer open ocean guided kayak whale watching tours out of Davenport Landing. Whales can be seen along the Northern California coast as early as December, but come March and April the kayaking conditions improve and Grey Whale calves hug the coast making for truly spectacular viewing.Horseback Riding
Experience the foothills surrounding Costanoa from the top of one of our World Class Tennessee Walking Horses. Our adventurous rides will take you through the grassland meadows and Pine forests surrounding Costanoa with ample opportunity to experience the famous Tennessee Walker "running walk" and "rocking chair" cantor. We can accommodate rides for complete beginners to advanced lifelong riding enthusiasts. Rides include guide services, safety instruction, and a maximum wrangler to rider ratio of 1:6. Moonlight, Lunch and Full Day rides available upon request.Yoga
Get an early start to your day or book a mid-meeting stretching break with our professional yoga facilitators. Sixty or ninety minute classes as well as customized workshops are available. All classes are designed to the ability level of your group. Yoga classes can be booked in conjunction with naturalist led hikes to get your group relaxed, refreshed and renewed. Outdoor classes also available weather permitting.
