Thank you to everyone who joined us last Saturday for our Walking Tours of the Purissima Old Town Site—what a wonderful day it was! We were treated to beautiful, filtered sunshine—a classic Coastside blend of warmth and mist—that made the redwoods glow and the native plants pop.

Our wonderful docents (Barbara Lohman, Barbara Dye, Robin Kirby and Robin Arkell) led visitors through the quiet remnants of what was once the bustling town of Purissima. Along the way, we shared stories of the early settlers, glimpsed the old town’s layout, and admired the resilience of the land reclaiming its history.

One of the things that made the tours truly special was the group itself. Attentive, thoughtful, and full of curiosity, participants didn’t just learn—they also taught us. A civil engineer helped illuminate the origin and structure of the old concrete blocks. One guest shared that she lives on Purisima Road and has one of the area’s original oil wells in her yard. Another, whose family has deep roots in the region, offered personal insights that brought the past even more vividly to life.

We love when these tours become a shared exchange of knowledge and memory, connecting neighbors and newcomers alike to this special landscape. The Purissima Old Town Site may be quiet now, but thanks to days like this, its stories continue to grow.

Stay tuned for future tours and events—and if you weren’t able to make it this time, we hope to see you on the trail soon! You can stay connected by signing up for our email list or following us on social media.

Photo credit: Barbara Dye and David Marsland