About us
The SF Bay Area Nature Journal Club is a diverse community of artists and naturalists, of all levels, who meet together to connect to nature through art. Through free monthly field trips, hands on technique workshops, and community events we explore the Bay Area, developing our artistic and naturalist skills and deepening our love of nature. The club and its activities are a program of the Wild Wonder Foundation [(wildwonder.org)](https://www.wildwonder.org/), co-founded by John Muir Laws in 2022.
We welcome the diverse communities of the region. The program is intergenerational and family friendly. Seniors and elders are encouraged to participate. This is a great program for families. Parents are encouraged to bring mature children who have demonstrated an interest in nature sketching. Please monitor and encourage your children so they feel supported to fully participate.
How to join
This program is free and no registration is required. Show up with your journal and supplies and get ready to explore and draw. You can get notifications about group outing and activities by joining the Wild Wonder mailing list and/or the meetup group. We also encourage you to join the Club's Facebook Group to share sketches, drawings, arrange carpools, and connect with the group community.
For more information about nature journaling and links to hundreds of free instructional videos, visit Wild Wonder's Nature Journaling Resources page.
Nature Journal Workshops
Join us for a live online 1.5 hour workshop on most Thursdays each week. These classes sometimes prepare you with drawing skills you can apply on the upcoming field trip. For instance, a field trip to Hawk Hill might be preceded by a workshop on drawing hawks in flight. Most of these workshops will be are recorded and posted to John Muir Laws YouTube channel.
Monthly Field Trips
Mark your calendars and join our field trip each month from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (unless otherwise noted in the description). Trip activities include technique demonstrations, natural history interpretation, time in the outdoors, a potluck lunch, and plenty of time to draw and write. Most field trips will include easy to moderate walking. If field trips are wheelchair accessible or may require more strenuous hiking, they will be described as such in that month's program description. See the event schedule for details.
If rain is forecasted for the day of the field trip, the trip may be canceled or relocated to an indoor venue. Check the program description Sunday morning before leaving for updates and changes.
Art Shows and Exhibitions of Group Work
Bay Area Nature Journal Club members are invited to participate in periodic public shows of their work. These shows can help demonstrate individual improvement and the beauty and diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area. If you know a venue that would be appropriate to feature the work of our group, please contact me with details.
Expectations and what to bring
The Bay Area Nature Journal Club is a supportive community. Participants are expected to treat each other with respect and create a safe place for people to push their boundaries, draw, and write without criticism or fear. Please do what you can to engender this feeling in the group. I encourage all participants to share their tricks and techniques with each other. It is fun to teach and to learn from one another.
I encourage you to make journaling and participating in club events part your regular routine. If you have not drawn in a long time, it can be scary to start again. Once you do, you will discover that this new skill develops quickly. Throw yourself into it and be fearless. The most important thing is to get yourself to draw a lot. Club events and outings help but it is even better if you can get yourself to draw even more often Leave your inner critic behind and go for it. If you feel comfortable doing so, bring your latest sketches or poems to share with others. Please also share your artwork, techniques and ideas in the club's Facebook group. We can all learn a lot from seeing the work of other artists and naturalists. Most importantly, have fun with it--this is a joyous experience.
Nature journaling and exploration are great activities for children. Parents are encouraged to make journaling and participation in group activities a regular practice for your family. Please evaluate and monitor your children's interest and participation to help them get the most from the experience and to make sure that their participation enhances the group experience for everyone.
I have prepared a suggested equipment list. You do not need everything on this list. Keep your kit light and accessible. Also bring a spoon, bowl, and something delicious to share in the potluck lunch. We often stray from our vehicles so make sure you have everything packed and portable.
How can I help?
This program is free for everyone. It is supported by generous grants and donations from foundations, individuals, and families. To keep this program going, please consider donating to Wild Wonder Foundation to support the Bay Area Nature Journal Club. Also please help connect us with philanthropic individuals or organizations who can help sponsor this and the many other programs of the Wild Wonder Foundation.
Upcoming events
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South Bay Nature Journaling Rocks!
Castle Rock State Park Parking, Castle Rock Trail, Saratoga, CA 95070, USA, Saratoga, CA, USThis Sunday, join us for a slow, at-your-pace nature hike.
Castle Rock is well known in this area for its unusual sandstone rocks. You'll find fascinating textures, unusual patterns, and of course, nature journaling puns!
This is a favorite spot among local rock climbers as well.
You have two choices: either stay close to the parking lot and trail head, where there are comfortable park benches and areas to observe nearby. Or walk a bit further on the trail until you find an interesting rock face to journal about, and perhaps observe some rock climbers, because humans are nature too.Please bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and be sure to pack a personal brown bag lunch.
Depending on the needs of the group, we will adjust our agenda to find the most common meeting spot for lunch and sketchbook shares.
Of course, please feel free to stop and eat your lunch at any time. If you need any additional accommodations, please reach out to me to let me know ahead of time.
Rough agenda:
- Introductions and intentions
- Mindfulness and sketching warm-up
- Break off for exploring
- Sketchbook shares and closing
Come as you are — no experience needed, just a sense of wonder. We can’t wait to explore with you!
Event Details at a Glance
🕐 Date & Time: August 29, 2026, 9:30 to 1 pm
📍 Location: Castle Rock State Park
Meet near the bathrooms & ranger's station. If you can, please show up on time, as cell phone service is likely to be spotty. If you do show up later than expected, simply follow the shortest hiking trail loop, and it is very possible that you will come across a very slow group of nature journaling hikers.
🚙 Parking: There is a $10 day use fee. Carpooling is encouraged.
🧥Comfort: Bring a warm layer and a light pack to carry your lunch. This area is well shaded in some areas.
🖊️ What to Bring: Bring a filled water bottle and a brown bag lunch. Extra snacks for the trail. And your journal and a writing implement.
🧻 Restrooms: Restrooms are only available near the parking lot, so plan ahead.
💰Cost: $10 to $20 is suggested to Wild Wonder, and a Venmo for this will be provided.📚References:
Getting started with Nature Journaling:
https://www.wildwonder.org/nature-journaling-resources and
https://johnmuirlaws.com
www.lovenotestonature.org
Castle Rock State Park Website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=5383 attendees
Past events
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