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California coastal foraging class collecting seaweed, snails, and sea urchins with guide Kevin at low tide

DISCOVER SUSTAINABLE FORAGING THROUGH OUR LOCALLY GUIDED EXPERIENCES

PC: Clara Estelle Media

YOUR JOURNEY BACK TO THE WILD STARTS HERE

Catch N Cook California is a premier outdoor education experience rooted in the ancient art of foraging - defined holistically as the practice of harvesting wild ingredients rather than cultivating them, and the foundation of all human subsistence for tens of thousands of years.

Led by California native and PhD archeologist Kevin Smith, our classes are more than adventures - they are immersive journeys into foraging autonomy, outdoor proficiency, and sustainable living. With a lifetime of foraging experience and deep research in the lifeways of California’s Indigenous hunter-gatherers, Kevin brings rare cultural insight to every tidepool, forest, and shoreline.​ Whether you’re learning to identify edible mushrooms, fish the rugged coast, freedive for sea urchin, or gather wild plants, each hands-on experience is designed to reconnect you to the land and sea. You'll gain practical skills in harvesting, processing, and in many cases, preparing your catch - always with respect for seasonality, safety, and ecological stewardship.

We offer group workshops, private bookings, and seasonal courses from Southern to Northern California, always in small group settings to ensure personalized instruction and minimal environmental impact. All experiences follow Leave No Trace ethics and sustainable harvesting practices.

Keep the Old Ways Alive - one wild meal at a time.

Catch and cook guide Kevin with a Monkeyface eel caught along the California coast

Autonomy. Stewardship. Sustainability. 

Our expert guide, Kevin Smith, leads hands-on foraging and spearfishing adventures designed to build real-world skill, self-reliance, and a deeper connection to the wild.

California coastal foraging guide Kevin walking with students holding seaweed and shellfish in buckets

BUILD YOUR OUTDOOR SKILLSET

Take one of our classes with our outdoor expert, Kevin, as seen on Catch N Cook California from Youtube.

Identifying a Bear’s Head mushroom in the wild during a guided mushroom foraging class

READ THE LATEST NEWS

Read up on the latest posts covering sustainable foraging practices, tips and tricks, recent adventures, and more!

Bucket of wild-foraged crawfish ready for cooking

MAKE CONNECTIONS

Join our community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts and post your own catch and cook adventures!

Explore from tidepools to tree lines and start your journey today.

Check out our upcoming classes below

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Be the first to know when new classes drop, ocean conditions shift, and wild foods come into season.

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