Pinnacles National Park

National park in California, United States of America

Pinnacles National Park

IUCN category II (national park)

Rock formations at Pinnacles National Park

Location in California

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Location in the United States

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Location| San Benito County & Monterey County, California, United States
Nearest city| Soledad, California
Coordinates| 36°29′13″N 121°10′01″W﻿ / ﻿36.48694°N 121.16694°W﻿ / 36.48694; -121.16694
Area| 26,606 acres (107.67 km2)[1]
Established| January 16, 1908 (1908-01-16) as a national monument
January 10, 2013 (2013-01-10) as a national park
Visitors| 222,152 (in 2018)[2]
Governing body| National Park Service
Website| Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park is an American national park protecting a mountainous area located east of the Salinas Valley in Central California, about five miles (8 km) east of Soledad and 80 miles (130 km) southeast of San Jose. The park's namesakes are the eroded leftovers of the western half of an extinct volcano that has moved 200 miles (320 km) from its original location on the San Andreas Fault, embedded in a portion of the California Pacific Coast Ranges. Pinnacles is managed by the National Park Service and the majority of the park is protected as wilderness.

The national park is divided by the rock formations into East and West Divisions, connected only by foot trails. The east side has shade and water, while the west has high walls. The rock formations provide for spectacular pinnacles that attract rock climbers. The park features unusual talus caves that house at least 13 species of bats. Pinnacles is most often visited in spring or fall because of the intense heat during the summer. Park lands are prime habitat for prairie falcons and are a release site for California condors that have been hatched in captivity.

Pinnacles was originally established as a national monument in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, and was redesignated as a national park in 2013.

## History[edit]

Park map

Native Americans in the Pinnacles region comprised the Chalon and Mutsun groups of the Ohlone people, who left stone artifacts in the park. These native people declined with the arrival of the Spanish in the 18th century, who brought novel diseases and changes to the natives' way of life. The establishment of a Spanish mission at Soledad hastened the area's native depopulation through disease and dispersion. Archaeological surveys have found 13 sites inhabited by Native Americans, 12 of which antedate the establishment of the missions. One site is believed to be about 2000 years old.[3] The last Chalon had died or departed from the area by 1810. From 1810 to 1865, when the first Anglo-American settlers arrived, the Pinnacles region was a wilderness without human use or habitation.[4]

By the 1880s the Pinnacles, then known as the Palisades, were visited by picnickers from the surrounding communities who would explore the caves and camp.[5] The first account of the Pinnacles region appeared in print in 1881, describing the Balconies area.[6] Between 1889 and 1891, newspaper articles shifted from describing excursions to the "Palisades" to calling them the "Pinnacles".[7] Interest in the area rose to the point that the Hollister Free Lance sent a reporter to the Pinnacles, followed two months later by a party of local officials.[8] Investors came from San Francisco to consider placing a resort hotel there, but the speculation came to nothing. In 1894, a post office was established in Bear Valley. Schuyler Hain was the postmaster. Since at least one other Bear Valley was in California, the post office was named "Cook" after Hain's wife's maiden name.[9] In 1924, the post office was renamed "Pinnacles".

Hain was a homesteader who arrived in the Pinnacles area in 1891 from Michigan, following his parents and eight siblings to Bear Valley.[10] His cousin, A. W. White, was a student at Stanford University, and White brought G. K. Gilbert, one of his professors, to see the Pinnacles in 1893. Gilbert was impressed by the scenery, and his comments inspired Hain to publicize the region.[11] Hain led tours to Bear Valley and through the caves, advocating the preservation of the Pinnacles. Hain's efforts resulted in a 1904 visit by Stanford president David Starr Jordan, who contacted Fresno Congressman James C. Needham. Jordan and Needham, in turn, influenced Gifford Pinchot to advocate the establishment of the Pinnacles Forest Reserve to President Theodore Roosevelt, who proclaimed the establishment on July 18, 1906.[12] Pinchot, who was primarily interested in the management of forests for productive use rather than for preservation, advocated the use of the recently passed Antiquities Act to designate the scenic core of the area as Pinnacles National Monument, which was done by Roosevelt on January 16, 1908. This designation nominally passed control of the Pinnacles from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of the Interior,[13] but the U.S. Forest Service retained effective control of the area until circa 1911.[14]

In his efforts to promote the Pinnacles, Hain became convinced that the Pinnacles were an "extraordinary mountain" described by Captain George Vancouver and pictured by John Sykes in his book Voyage of Discovery, which documented the Vancouver Expedition. Hain began to refer to the mountain as "Vancouver's Pinnacles", a term that was picked up by Sunset in a 1903 article. References to "Vancouver's Pinnacles" persisted until 1955, when analysis of the Sykes picture indicated that the mountain described by Vancouver was actually located near Fort Ord, within easy reach of the day trip described by Vancouver.[15]

### National monument[edit]

First set aside as part of the Pinnacles Forest Reserve in 1906, Pinnacles has had several different federal management agencies, ranging from the U.S. Forest Service to the United States General Land Office and ultimately to the National Park Service. In 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt created Pinnacles National Monument with the power given him in the Antiquities Act of 1906. The initial area designated under the Antiquities Act was 2,080 acres (840 ha). The Forest Service relinquished control of the monument circa 1911, but no operating agency yet existed to receive it.[14] No drivable roads existed into the park from communities like Hollister. Hollister boosters campaigned for federal funds for road-building. Congressman Everis A. Hayes made a trip into the Pinnacles in 1913 as part of the campaign for road funds. By 1914, primitive roads extended to Bear Valley.[16]

The National Park Service was finally established in 1916, but Pinnacles was not considered significant enough to command any Park Service resources at that time.[17] In the meantime, a mining claim disrupted access to the traditional picnic grounds. In 1922, following repeated pleas from local residents for Park Service action, W.B. Lewis, superintendent of Yosemite National Park, was directed to visit Pinnacles and report on the circumstances to Park Service director Stephen Mather. Lewis had a difficult trip and stayed only 45 minutes, and his report included a recommendation that the monument be abandoned, since the most scenic sections were in private hands.[18] The General Land Office, which administered lands surrounding the national monument and what was then known as Monterey National Forest, also received complaints, and in December 1922, J.H. Favorite of the GLO made a thorough report which was copied to Mather. Favorite recommended that public-domain lands be consolidated into the monument, and that a caretaker be appointed from a local homestead. In 1923, Herman Hermansen was appointed caretaker, and on May 7, 1923, the monument was enlarged by proclamation of President Warren G. Harding.[19]

Mather finally visited the monument on March 28, 1924.[20] A further proclamation, this time by Calvin Coolidge, enlarged the monument on July 2, 1924, securing water sources and campsites,[21] was followed by a directive for a complete survey of the now-2,973-acre (1,203 ha) monument.[22] Following a visit by NPS assistant director Horace M. Albright, money was appropriated to build a ranger's cabin,[23] completed in 1929,[24] while facilities within the caves were improved. Frank A. Kittredge, the Park Service chief of engineering, and Thomas Chalmers Vint, Park Service landscape architect, conducted a survey for a five-year improvement plan in 1927.[25] In 1929, condemnation proceedings were filed against private landowners in and around the park, including the mining company, seeking 1,286.27 acres (520.54 ha). An expansion proclamation by President Herbert Hoover in 1931 added 1,926.35 acres (779.57 ha) of land donated by San Benito County.[26] Trail building was expanded in the early 1930s, including a tunnel for the High Peaks Trail.[27]

Bear Gulch Reservoir

In 1933, a Civilian Conservation Corps camp was established for about 200 men who worked on additions to the trail network.[28][29] After lengthy legal proceedings, the old mining claims were incorporated into the monument in 1958.[30] CCC laborers improved the road in Bear Gulch, built tourist cabins,[31] and constructed the dam at the Bear Gulch reservoir.[32] A fire lookout was built by the CCC on Chalone Peak in 1935, but was destroyed by fire in 1951 and replaced by a frame structure the following year. The park's visitor center and headquarters were built in 1936–37 from local stone. A superintendent's residence was started in 1941 and completed in 1949.[33] The Mission 66 project added lands and new projects, with an emphasis on development of the previously undeveloped west side of the park.[28][34]

In 1975, the park comprised 16,721 acres (6,767 ha), growing to the present 26,606 acres (10,767 ha) through a series of additions including the 2,000-acre (810 ha) Pinnacles Ranch.[35] The most recent addition to the Pinnacles National Monument was president Bill Clinton's Proclamation 7266 that increased the size of the monument by 7,900 acres (32 km2) and to include more caves.[36]

### National park status[edit]

Legislation authored by Rep. Sam Farr (D-California)[37] to make Pinnacles National Monument a national park passed the United States Senate on December 30, 2012, having passed the House on July 31, 2012. The bill also designates the present Pinnacles Wilderness as the Hain Wilderness in commemoration of Schuyler Hain's efforts to establish the national monument.[37][38] The legislation was signed by President Barack Obama on January 10, 2013. The change in designation did not change the park's status, management, or purpose. The U.S. Congress specified in the 1970 General Authorities Act[39] and the 1978 Redwood Act[40] that all units of the National Park System are to be treated on equal status, regardless of title.[41] Pinnacles is the ninth unit in the National Park System in California to be named a national park.[42]

High Peaks Trail panorama

## Geography[edit]

Entrance to Balconies Cave

Pinnacles National Park lies about 40 miles (64 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean and about 45 miles (72 km) south of the San Francisco Bay Area. The park is in the southern portion of the Gabilan Range, part of California's Coast Ranges.

Elevation within the boundaries range from 824 to 3,304 feet (251 to 1,007 m) at the peak of North Chalone Peak.

## Climate[edit]

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Pinnacles National Park has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Csa). According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the Plant Hardiness zone at the Painted Desert Visitor Center (1056 ft / 322 m) is 8b with an average annual extreme minimum temperature of 19.3 °F (-7.1 °C).[43]

The Santa Lucia Mountains lie between the park and Pacific Ocean, blocking the ocean’s moderating influence on diurnal temperature swings. In comparison to the nearby coast, temperatures have a much larger daily range of 30 to 50 °F (16.7 to 27.8 °C) depending on season. The typical rainfall is about 17 inches (430 mm) per year. Snow can fall in small amounts at higher elevations between mid-December and January.

The National Weather Service has a cooperative weather station at the park headquarters. January temperatures are a maximum of 62.6 °F (17.0 °C) and a minimum of 34.0 °F (1.1 °C). July temperatures are a maximum of 95.9 °F (35.5 °C) and a minimum of 50.4 °F (10.2 °C). The record high temperature of 116 °F (47 °C) was reached three times, most recently on September 7, 2020. The record low temperature was 10 °F (−12 °C) on January 2, 1960 and December 22 and 24, 1990. Average annual precipitation is 16.57 inches (421 mm). The wettest calendar year was 1983 with 35.80 inches (909 mm) and the driest 2013 with 2.70 inches (69 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 11.86 inches (301 mm) in February 1998. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 4.74 inches (120 mm) on February 3, 1998. The most snowfall in one month was 7.0 inches (18 cm) in January 1962.

Climate data for Pinnacles National Monument, California (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1937-present)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 87
(31)  | 86
(30)  | 93
(34)  | 100
(38)  | 106
(41)  | 112
(44)  | 116
(47)  | 115
(46)  | 116
(47)  | 116
(47)  | 94
(34)  | 90
(32)  | 116
(47)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 75.9
(24.4)  | 77.6
(25.3)  | 82.4
(28.0)  | 89.8
(32.1)  | 95.9
(35.5)  | 103.9
(39.9)  | 106.5
(41.4)  | 107.1
(41.7)  | 104.7
(40.4)  | 97.9
(36.6)  | 86.7
(30.4)  | 75.0
(23.9)  | 109.5
(43.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 62.6
(17.0)  | 63.7
(17.6)  | 67.5
(19.7)  | 72.3
(22.4)  | 80.0
(26.7)  | 88.8
(31.6)  | 95.9
(35.5)  | 95.8
(35.4)  | 91.7
(33.2)  | 82.5
(28.1)  | 70.4
(21.3)  | 62.0
(16.7)  | 77.8
(25.4)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 48.3
(9.1)  | 49.6
(9.8)  | 52.6
(11.4)  | 55.8
(13.2)  | 61.5
(16.4)  | 67.7
(19.8)  | 73.2
(22.9)  | 73.0
(22.8)  | 69.9
(21.1)  | 62.6
(17.0)  | 53.5
(11.9)  | 47.7
(8.7)  | 59.6
(15.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 34.0
(1.1)  | 35.6
(2.0)  | 37.7
(3.2)  | 39.4
(4.1)  | 43.1
(6.2)  | 46.6
(8.1)  | 50.4
(10.2)  | 50.3
(10.2)  | 48.1
(8.9)  | 42.7
(5.9)  | 36.7
(2.6)  | 33.4
(0.8)  | 41.5
(5.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 23.2
(−4.9)  | 25.1
(−3.8)  | 27.6
(−2.4)  | 29.7
(−1.3)  | 33.1
(0.6)  | 35.9
(2.2)  | 39.0
(3.9)  | 39.8
(4.3)  | 37.9
(3.3)  | 32.2
(0.1)  | 26.1
(−3.3)  | 22.3
(−5.4)  | 19.8
(−6.8)
Record low °F (°C)  | 10
(−12)  | 17
(−8)  | 16
(−9)  | 18
(−8)  | 22
(−6)  | 24
(−4)  | 30
(−1)  | 28
(−2)  | 29
(−2)  | 24
(−4)  | 15
(−9)  | 10
(−12)  | 10
(−12)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 3.46
(88)  | 3.45
(88)  | 2.80
(71)  | 0.96
(24)  | 0.57
(14)  | 0.13
(3.3)  | 0.04
(1.0)  | 0.02
(0.51)  | 0.06
(1.5)  | 0.73
(19)  | 1.27
(32)  | 3.08
(78)  | 16.57
(421)
Average snowfall inches (cm)  | 0.1
(0.25)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.1
(0.25)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 12.2  | 11.2  | 10.1  | 5.7  | 3.3  | 0.7  | 0.3  | 0.3  | 0.6  | 2.9  | 7.2  | 12.0  | 66.5
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.1  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.1
Source: NOAA[44][45]

## Geology[edit]

Fault history sign

The park is located near the San Andreas fault, which had a hand in giving rise to the unique formations the park protects. The Pinnacles are part of the Neenach Volcano which erupted 23 million years ago near present-day Lancaster. The movement of the Pacific Plate along the San Andreas fault split a section of rock off from the main body of the volcano and moved it 195 miles (314 km) to the northwest. It is believed that the pinnacles came from this particular volcano because of the unique breccias that are only found elsewhere in the Neenach Volcano formations. Differential erosion and weathering of the exposed rock formed the Pinnacles that are seen today.[46] The rock formations are andesite and rhyolite, forming a dropped fault block embedded in the Gabilan Range.[47]

Large-scale earth movement also formed the talus caves that can be found in the park. Deep, narrow gorges and shear fractures were transformed into caves by large chunks of rock falling from above and wedging into the cracks, leaving an open area below.[46]

Since the Pinnacles were moved to this area, the San Andreas fault has shifted four miles (6.4 km) to the east of the park. The original location of the San Andreas can be seen in the Chalone Creek fault. Two other large faults are known to run through the park, the Miner's Gulch and Pinnacles faults. These faults parallel the San Andreas and were most likely caused by major movements of the main fault.[46] The establishment of the relative movement between the Pinnacles and the Neenach rocks was a significant factor in the acceptance of plate tectonics in geology.[47]

Seismic activity is frequent in the park, and United States Geological Survey maintains two seismometers within the boundaries. Evidence of past and ongoing seismic activity can be seen in offset streams where they cross faults. Valley bottoms and terraces show signs of uplift.[46]

## Ecology[edit]

### Wildlife[edit]

California condor

Native animals, now locally extinct from most of central California, included tule elk and pronghorn.[48] Grizzly and black bears were in the area until the end of the 19th century.[49] Mammals and birds that inhabit this park include prairie falcon, coyote, skunk, great horned owl, bobcat, California quail, raccoon, wild turkey, gray fox, golden eagle, and cougar.[50]

Prairie falcons breed in this area in some of the highest densities of anywhere in North America. Peregrine falcons have recently returned to the park to breed, also, but in far fewer numbers. A California condor re-establishment program has been in place since 2003. The first nest since reintroduction was built in 2010, and Pinnacles now manages a population of 25 free-flying condor.[51][52][53][54]

Thirteen species of bats have been documented at Pinnacles, with a further three species considered likely. The talus caves provide roosting and breeding habitat for the bats.[55]

In the 1990s, a student biologist, Olivia Messinger, did a census of bees at Pinnacles. She found that the park has more bees per unit area than known anywhere else on earth, around 400 species. Most of these bees are solitary bees, not living in colonies like European honeybees, and most live for only three to four weeks, and since flowers bloom here throughout the growing season, many niches are available for all the bee species.[56]

Like many parks in central California, Pinnacles has had a problem with wild pigs (a mix of feral domestic pigs and imported wild boars) disturbing the landscape on a regular basis. As of spring 2006, the core of the park was pig-free. The culmination of a twenty-year, $1.6 million effort had succeeded in eradicating pigs from the main area of the park. National Park Service personnel along with IWS worked to remove pigs from inside the park, and establish and monitor an exclusionary fence that runs for approximately 26 miles (42 km) around the center core of the park. Outside this fence, wild pigs still roam. Monitoring for potential breaks and breaches in the fence is performed to ensure that the pigs do not return to the park.[57]

### Vegetation[edit]

Pinus sabiniana (gray pine)

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. Potential natural vegetation Types, Pinnacles National Park has a Chaparral (33) potential vegetation type with a California chaparral and woodlands (6) vegetation form.[58] The vegetation is about 80% chaparral with woodlands, riparian, and grasslands merged into the chaparral.

In the warmer portions of the park, large areas of greasewood cover slopes, along with manzanita, gray pine, canyon live oak, and blue oak. Cooler portions of the park have higher proportions of pines and oaks, together with California buckeye, hollyleaf cherry, and coffeeberry. Willows and elderberries are found along the intermittent streams. Fire has been a dominant influence on the region's flora, both from natural causes and from intentional intervention by people. When the region was inhabited by Native Americans, they used fire as a tool to encourage the growth of preferred food sources, and to herd small game during hunting. Since the disappearance of native peoples, the hills have become brushier.[59]

## Hain Wilderness[edit]

More than 80% (15,985 acres or 6,469 hectares) of the park is designated as the Hain Wilderness (known until 2013 as the Pinnacles Wilderness). Wilderness designation provides even higher protection for the rock spires that give Pinnacles its name, as well as South Chalone Peak, the second-highest peak in the park. The wilderness includes the creeks and canyons that are habitat for the endangered California red-legged frog.[60] The United States Congress in 1976 enacted Public Law 94-567, adding Pinnacles Wilderness and several others to the National Wilderness Preservation System.[61]

## Activities[edit]

A section of the High Peaks Trail

Although roads approach the park from the west through Soledad and from the east through empty lands south of Hollister, the roads do not connect in the park. Most of the developed areas are on the east side of the park.[62] Portions of the park's road network are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Several trails have been developed for day hikers, some of which are strenuous. Primarily in March and April, a wide variety of wildflowers is on display, except in years of extreme drought. The trails provide views of the surrounding hills and valleys on clear days. The San Andreas Fault is visible from some vantages along the trails. The park includes a well-known hiking portion known among enthusiasts simply as "The Pig Fence". This portion of South Wilderness Trail is a challenging stretch of strenuous hiking that at times requires use of the fence, erected to prevent feral pigs from entering the park, to help oneself to climb the steeply pitched trail. Other trails include lush wildflower-accented views along flat stream beds, trails that bring one into beautiful caves, and trails that involve high vistas of the Pinnacle formations.

The caves at Pinnacles are talus caves, formed when steep, narrow canyons were filled with boulders, leaving passages between the larger rocks.[63] Bear Gulch Cave on the east side of the park and Balconies Cave on the west side are seasonally open to visitors. Trails lead to and through both caves.[64][65] These caves house breeding colonies for Townsend's big-eared bat and are closed during pupping season. The caves may be flooded at times of high water. The National Park Service maintains a webpage showing the status of the caves.[66]

Camping facilities are available on the east side in the Pinnacles Campground.[67]

The park is popular with advanced rock climbers because of the many difficult and challenging climbs.[68] The park is home to a variety of bouldering, single-pitch, and multi-pitch routes. Rock quality, volcanic breccia, can break while climbing.[69][70]

## See also[edit]

* State Route 146
* State Route 25
* List of national parks of the United States
* National parks in California
* Neenach Volcano
* Tres Pinos, California
* Trona Pinnacles — in southern California near Ridgecrest and Trona

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Listing of acreage – December 31, 2012" (XLSX). Land Resource Division, National Park Service. Retrieved September 22, 2013. (National Park Service Acreage Reports)
2. ^ "NPS Annual Recreation Visits Report". National Park Service. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
3. ^ Oberg, Reta R. (1979). "Administrative History of Pinnacles National Monument" (PDF). National Park Service. pp. 4–5. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
4. ^ Draft General Management Plan, National Park Service, p. 4
5. ^ Oberg, p. 64
6. ^ Oberg, p. 70
7. ^ Oberg, p. 76
8. ^ Oberg, p. 77
9. ^ Oberg, p. 79
10. ^ Oberg, p. 72
11. ^ Oberg, p. 85
12. ^ Oberg, pp. 91–94
13. ^ Oberg, pp. 96–97
14. ^ a b Oberg, p. 111
15. ^ Oberg, pp. 86–91
16. ^ Oberg, pp. 121–122
17. ^ Oberg, pp. 135–136
18. ^ Oberg, p. 145
19. ^ Oberg, pp. 146–147
20. ^ Oberg, p. 153
21. ^ Oberg, p. 150
22. ^ Oberg, p. 154
23. ^ Oberg, p. 167
24. ^ Oberg, p. 184
25. ^ Oberg, p. 168
26. ^ Oberg, p. 173
27. ^ Oberg, p. 180
28. ^ a b Draft General Management Plan, National Park Service, pp. 4–5
29. ^ Oberg, p. 182
30. ^ Oberg, p. 183
31. ^ Oberg, p. 190
32. ^ "History & Culture". National Park Service. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
33. ^ Oberg, pp. 195, 198
34. ^ Oberg, pp. 200–201
35. ^ "Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, Pinnacles National Monument". National Park Service. October 2012. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
36. ^ Wikisource:Proclamation 7266
37. ^ a b Molnar, Phillip (December 31, 2012). "Bill creating Pinnacles National Park awaits Obama's signature". Monterey Herald. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
38. ^ Simon, Richard (December 31, 2012). "Pinnacles National Monument set to become a park". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
39. ^ An Act to improve the administration of the national park system by the Secretary of the Interior, and to clarify the authorities applicable to the system, and for other purposes. Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 91–383, H.R. 14114, 84 Stat. 825, enacted August 18, 1970.
40. ^ An Act to amend the act of October 2, 1968, an act to establish a Redwood National Park in the State of California, and for other purposes. Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 95–250, H.R. 3813, 92 Stat. 166, enacted March 27, 1978.
41. ^ 16 U.S.C. § 1a-1, National Park System: administration; declaration of findings and purpose.
42. ^ Rogers, Paul (January 10, 2013). "Obama elevates Pinnacles National Monument south of Bay Area to full national park status". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
43. ^ "USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
44. ^ "NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
45. ^ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
46. ^ a b c d "Faults". Pinnacles National Monument. National Park Service. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
47. ^ a b Alt, David; Hyndman, Donald W. (2000). Roadside Geology of Northern and Central California. Mountain Press. pp. 181–183. ISBN 978-0-87842-409-2.
48. ^ Oberg, p. 3
49. ^ Oberg, pp. 35–36
50. ^ "Animals". Pinnacles National Monument. National Park Service. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
51. ^ Hagel, Chris (May 3, 2021). "Rare California condor egg hatches in Pinnacles National Park". KSBW. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
52. ^ Fimrite, Peter (March 10, 2010). "First condor nest in Pinnacles in 100 years". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
53. ^ Rogers, Paul (October 11, 2016). "California condors: Chick born in wild flies from nest at Pinnacles National Park for first time in a century". The Mercury News. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
54. ^ "California Condors at Pinnacles". Pinnacles National Monument. National Park Service. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
55. ^ "Bat Inventory of Pinnacles National Park" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
56. ^ Muffoletto, Mary-Ann (January 17, 2019). "USU Bee Surveys in Newest National Park Could Aid Studies Elsewhere". Utah State University. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
57. ^ Grinde, Alexis R.; Sweitzer, Rick A. "Vegetation Monitoring after Wild Pig Removal at Pinnacles National Park" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
58. ^ "U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)". Data Basin. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
59. ^ Oberg, pp. 1–2
60. ^ "Wilderness - Pinnacles National Park (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov.
61. ^ An Act to designate certain lands within units of the national park system as wilderness; to revise the boundaries of certain of those units, and for other purposes. Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 94–567, H.R. 13160, 90 Stat. 2692, enacted October 20, 1976
62. ^ Forgione, Mary (January 14, 2013). "California: Pinnacles National Park is nation's newest park". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
63. ^ "Cave/Karst Systems". Pinnacles National Park. National Park Service.
64. ^ "Balconies Cave in Pinnacles National Park". hikespeak.com. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
65. ^ "Bear Gulch Cave Trail and Moses Spring Trail to Bear Gulch Reservoir in Pinnacles National Park". hikespeak.com. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
66. ^ "Status of the Caves". Pinnacles National Park. National Park Service. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
67. ^ "Camping at Pinnacles". Pinnacles National Monument. National Park Service. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
68. ^ Johnson, Elvin R.; Cordone, Richard P. (1992). Pinnacles Guide: Pinnacles National Monument, San Benito County, California. Glendale, CA: La Siesta Press. ISBN 91-0-856715-8.
69. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions about Climbing". Pinnacles National Park. National Park Service.
70. ^ "Safety Advisory for Climbing". Pinnacles National Park. National Park Service.

## Further reading[edit]

* Oberg, Reta R. (1979), Administrative History of Pinnacles National Monument, National Park Service

## External links[edit]

Pinnacles National Park at Wikipedia's sister projects

* Media from Commons
* Travel information from Wikivoyage

* Official website of the National Park Service
* Pinnacles National Park maps, U.S. National Park Service
* Pinnacles National Park at San Francisco Bay Area National Parks Science and Learning
* Condor Watch The Condor Watch crowdsourcing project, started April 2014.
* NASA Earth Observatory: Satellite images
* California-birding: Bird Watching at Pinnacles National Park
* Pinnacles photoblog from bRaNdSboRg.CoM

* v
* t
* e

National parks of the United States

* Acadia
* American Samoa
* Arches
* Badlands
* Big Bend
* Biscayne
* Black Canyon of the Gunnison
* Bryce Canyon
* Canyonlands
* Capitol Reef
* Carlsbad Caverns
* Channel Islands
* Congaree
* Crater Lake
* Cuyahoga Valley
* Death Valley
* Denali
* Dry Tortugas
* Everglades
* Gates of the Arctic
* Gateway Arch
* Glacier
* Glacier Bay
* Grand Canyon
* Grand Teton
* Great Basin
* Great Sand Dunes
* Great Smoky Mountains
* Guadalupe Mountains
* Haleakalā
* Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
* Hot Springs
* Indiana Dunes
* Isle Royale
* Joshua Tree
* Katmai
* Kenai Fjords
* Kings Canyon
* Kobuk Valley
* Lake Clark
* Lassen Volcanic
* Mammoth Cave
* Mesa Verde
* Mount Rainier
* New River Gorge
* North Cascades
* Olympic
* Petrified Forest
* Pinnacles
* Redwood
* Rocky Mountain
* Saguaro
* Sequoia
* Shenandoah
* Theodore Roosevelt
* Virgin Islands
* Voyageurs
* White Sands
* Wind Cave
* Wrangell–St. Elias
* Yellowstone
* Yosemite
* Zion

List of national parks of the United States (by elevation)

* v
* t
* e

Protected areas of California

National Park System

| National Parks|

* Channel Islands
* Death Valley
* Joshua Tree
* Kings Canyon
* Lassen Volcanic
* Pinnacles
* Redwood
* Sequoia
* Yosemite

|

National Preserves|

Mojave

National Monuments|

* Cabrillo
* Castle Mountains
* César E. Chávez
* Devils Postpile
* Lava Beds
* Muir Woods
* Tule Lake

National Seashores|

* Point Reyes

National Historical Parks|

* Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front
* San Francisco Maritime

National Historic Sites|

* Eugene O'Neill
* Fort Point
* John Muir
* Manzanar

National Memorials|

* Port Chicago Naval Magazine

National Recreation Areas|

* Golden Gate
* Santa Monica Mountains
* Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity

State Parks

| State Parks|

* Ahjumawi Lava Springs
* Andrew Molera
* Angel Island
* Año Nuevo
* Anza-Borrego Desert
* Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland
* Bidwell–Sacramento River
* Big Basin Redwoods
* Border Field
* Bothe-Napa Valley
* Burton Creek
* Butano
* Calaveras Big Trees
* Castle Crags
* Castle Rock
* Caswell Memorial
* China Camp
* Chino Hills
* Clear Lake
* Coast Dairies
* Crystal Cove
* Cuyamaca Rancho
* D. L. Bliss
* Del Norte Coast Redwoods
* Donner Memorial
* Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point
* Emerald Bay
* The Forest of Nisene Marks
* Fort Ord Dunes
* Fremont Peak
* Garrapata
* Gaviota
* Great Valley Grasslands
* Grizzly Creek Redwoods
* Grover Hot Springs
* Hearst San Simeon
* Hendy Woods
* Henry Cowell Redwoods
* Henry W. Coe
* Humboldt Lagoons
* Humboldt Redwoods
* Jedediah Smith Redwoods
* Julia Pfeiffer Burns
* Leo Carrillo
* Limekiln
* MacKerricher
* Malibu Creek
* Manchester
* McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial
* McLaughlin Eastshore
* Mendocino Headlands
* Mendocino Woodlands
* Montaña de Oro
* Morro Bay
* Mount Diablo
* Mount San Jacinto
* Mount Tamalpais
* Navarro River Redwoods
* Pacheco
* Palomar Mountain
* Pfeiffer Big Sur
* Placerita Canyon
* Plumas-Eureka
* Point Mugu
* Portola Redwoods
* Prairie Creek Redwoods
* Red Rock Canyon
* Richardson Grove
* Rio de Los Angeles
* Robert Louis Stevenson
* Russian Gulch
* Saddleback Butte
* Salt Point
* Samuel P. Taylor
* San Bruno Mountain
* Sinkyone Wilderness
* South Yuba River
* Sue-meg
* Sugarloaf Ridge
* Sutter Buttes
* Tolowa Dunes
* Tomales Bay
* Topanga
* Trione-Annadel
* Van Damme
* Washoe Meadows
* Wilder Ranch

|

State
Natural Reserves|

* Antelope Valley California Poppy
* Armstrong Redwoods
* Azalea
* Caspar Headlands
* John B. Dewitt
* John Little
* Jug Handle
* Kruse Rhododendron
* Los Osos Oaks
* Mailliard Redwoods
* Mono Lake Tufa
* Montgomery Woods
* Point Lobos
* Smithe Redwoods
* Torrey Pines
* Tule Elk

State
Marine Reserves|

* Albany
* Anacapa Island SMR
* Asilomar
* Begg Rock
* Big Creek
* Bodega Head
* Cabrillo
* Carmel Pinnacles
* Carrington Point
* Del Mar Landing
* Elkhorn Slough
* Emeryville Crescent
* Estero de Limantour and Drakes Estero
* Fitzgerald
* Gerstle Cove
* Gull Island
* Harris Point
* Judith Rock
* Laguna Beach
* Long Point
* Lovers Point
* Montara and Pillar Point
* Moro Cojo Slough
* Morro Bay
* Natural Bridges
* Piedras Blancas
* Point Arena
* Point Buchon
* Point Cabrillo
* Point Dume
* Point Lobos
* Point Reyes
* Point Sur
* Richardson Rock
* Russian River
* Santa Barbara Island
* Scorpion
* Sea Lion Gulch
* Skunk Point
* South Cape Mendocino
* Stewarts Point
* Vandenberg

State
Historic Parks|

* Anderson Marsh
* Antelope Valley Indian Museum
* Bale Grist Mill
* Benicia Capitol
* Bidwell Mansion
* Bodie
* California Citrus
* California State Indian Museum
* Chumash Painted Cave
* Colonel Allensworth
* Columbia
* El Presidio de Santa Barbara
* Empire Mine
* Folsom Powerhouse
* Fort Humboldt
* Fort Ross
* Fort Tejon
* Governor's Mansion
* Hearst Castle
* Indian Grinding Rock
* Jack London
* La Purísima Mission
* Leland Stanford Mansion
* Los Angeles
* Los Encinos
* Malakoff Diggins
* Marconi Conference Center
* Marsh Creek
* Marshall Gold Discovery
* Monterey
* Old Sacramento
* Old Town San Diego
* Olompali
* Pigeon Point Light Station
* Pío Pico
* Point Sur
* Railtown 1897
* Rancho Petaluma Adobe
* San Juan Bautista
* San Pasqual Battlefield
* Santa Cruz Mission
* Santa Susana Pass
* Shasta
* Sonoma
* Sutter's Fort
* Tomo-Kahni
* Wassama Round House
* Watts Towers
* Weaverville Joss House
* Will Rogers
* William B. Ide Adobe
* Woodland Opera House

State Beaches|

* Asilomar
* Bean Hollow
* Bolsa Chica
* Cardiff
* Carlsbad
* Carmel River
* Carpinteria
* Caspar Headlands
* Cayucos
* Corona del Mar
* Crown Memorial
* Dockweiler
* Doheny
* El Capitán
* Emma Wood
* Gray Whale Cove
* Greenwood
* Half Moon Bay
* Huntington
* Leucadia
* Lighthouse Field
* Little River
* Malibu Lagoon
* Mandalay
* Manresa
* Marina
* McGrath
* Montara
* Monterey
* Moonlight
* Morro Strand
* Moss Landing
* Natural Bridges
* New Brighton
* Pacifica
* Pelican
* Pescadero
* Pismo
* Point Dume
* Point Sal
* Pomponio
* Refugio
* Robert H. Meyer Memorial
* Salinas River
* San Buenaventura
* San Clemente
* San Elijo
* San Gregorio
* San Onofre
* Santa Monica
* Schooner Gulch
* Seacliff
* Silver Strand
* Sonoma Coast
* South Carlsbad
* Sunset
* Thornton
* Torrey Pines
* Trinidad
* Twin Lakes
* Westport-Union Landing
* Will Rogers
* William Randolph Hearst Memorial
* Zmudowski

State
Recreation Areas|

* Admiral William Standley
* Auburn
* Austin Creek
* Benbow
* Benicia
* Bethany Reservoir
* Brannan Island
* Candlestick Point
* Castaic Lake
* Colusa-Sacramento River
* Folsom Lake
* Franks Tract
* George J. Hatfield
* Harry A. Merlo
* Kenneth Hahn
* Kings Beach
* Lake Del Valle
* Lake Oroville
* Lake Perris
* Lake Valley
* Martial Cottle
* McConnell
* Millerton Lake
* Picacho
* Providence Mountains
* Salton Sea
* San Luis Reservoir
* Silverwood Lake
* Standish-Hickey
* Tahoe
* Turlock Lake
* Woodson Bridge

State Vehicular
Recreation Areas|

* Carnegie
* Clay Pit
* Heber Dunes
* Hollister Hills
* Hungry Valley
* Oceano Dunes
* Ocotillo Wells
* Prairie City

Other|

* Burleigh H. Murray Ranch
* California State Capitol Museum
* California State Mining and Mineral Museum
* California State Railroad Museum
* Castro Adobe
* Delta Meadows
* Estero Bay
* Hatton Canyon
* Indio Hills Palms
* Point Cabrillo Light
* Point Lobos Ranch
* Point Montara Light
* Reynolds Wayside Campground
* San Timoteo Canyon
* Stone Lake
* Verdugo Mountains
* Ward Creek
* Wildwood Canyon

National Forests and Grasslands

| National Forests
and Grasslands|

* Angeles
* Butte Valley NG
* Cleveland
* Eldorado
* Humboldt–Toiyabe
* Inyo
* Klamath
* Lake Tahoe Basin
* Lassen
* Los Padres
* Mendocino
* Modoc
* Plumas
* Rogue River–Siskiyou
* San Bernardino
* Sequoia
* Shasta–Trinity
* Sierra
* Six Rivers
* Stanislaus
* Tahoe

|

National Wilderness
Preservation System|

* Agua Tibia
* Ansel Adams
* Bucks Lake
* Caribou
* Carson–Iceberg
* Castle Crags
* Cucamonga
* Desolation
* Dick Smith
* Dinkey Lakes
* Emigrant
* Golden Trout
* Hoover
* Inyo Mountains
* Ishi
* Jennie Lakes
* John Muir
* Kaiser
* Marble Mountain
* Mokelumne
* Mount Shasta Wilderness
* North Fork
* Pine Creek
* San Gabriel
* San Jacinto
* San Rafael
* Sanhedrin
* Sespe
* Siskiyou
* Snow Mountain
* South Fork Eel River
* South Sierra
* South Warner
* Thousand Lakes
* Trinity Alps
* Ventana
* Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel
* Yuki

National Monuments
and Recreation Areas|

* Giant Sequoia National Monument
* San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
* Sand to Snow National Monument
* Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
* Smith River National Recreation Area
* Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area

State Forests

* Boggs Mountain Demonstration
* Ellen Pickett
* Jackson Demonstration
* Las Posadas
* LaTour Demonstration
* Mount Zion Demonstration
* Mountain Home Demonstration
* Soquel Demonstration

National Wildlife Refuges

* Antioch Dunes
* Bitter Creek
* Blue Ridge
* Butte Sink
* Castle Rock
* Clear Lake
* Coachella Valley
* Colusa
* Delevan
* Don Edwards San Francisco Bay
* Ellicott Slough
* Farallon
* Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
* Hopper Mountain
* Humboldt Bay
* Kern
* Lower Klamath
* Marin Islands
* Merced
* Modoc
* Pixley
* Sacramento
* Sacramento River
* Salinas River
* San Diego Bay
* San Diego
* San Joaquin River
* San Luis
* San Pablo Bay
* Seal Beach
* Sonny Bono Salton Sea
* Stone Lakes
* Sutter
* Tijuana Slough
* Tule Lake

State Wildlife Areas

| Wildlife
Areas|

* Antelope Valley
* Ash Creek
* Bass Hill
* Battle Creek
* Big Lagoon
* Big Sandy
* Biscar
* Butte Valley
* Buttermilk Country
* Cache Creek
* Camp Cady
* Cantara/Ney Springs
* Cedar Roughs
* Cinder Flats
* Collins Eddy
* Colusa Bypass
* Coon Hollow
* Cottonwood Creek
* Crescent City Marsh
* Crocker Meadows
* Daugherty Hill
* Decker Island
* Doyle
* Dutch Flat
* Eastlker River
* Eel River
* Elk Creek Wetlands
* Elk River
* Fay Slough
* Feather River
* Fitzhugh Creek
* Fremont Weir
* Grass Lake
* Gray Lodge
* Green Creek
* Grizzly Island
* Hallelujah Junction
* Heenan Lake
* Hill Slough
* Hollenbeck Canyon
* Honey Lake
* Hope Valley
* Horseshoe Ranch
* Imperial
* Indian Valley
* Kelso Peak and Old Dad Mountains
* Kinsman Flat
* Knoxville
* Laguna
* Lake Berryessa
* Lake Earl
* Lake Sonoma
* Little Panoche Reservoir
* Los Banos
* Lower Sherman Island
* Mad River Slough
* Marble Mountains
* Mendota
* Merrill's Landing
* Miner Slough
* Monache Meadows
* Morro Bay
* Moss Landing
* Mouth of Cottonwood Creek
* Napa-Sonoma Marshes
* North Grasslands
* O'Neill Forebay
* Oroville
* Petaluma Marsh
* Pickel Meadow
* Pine Creek
* Point Edith
* Putah Creek
* Rector Reservoir
* Red Lake
* Rhode Island
* Sacramento River
* San Felipe Valley
* San Jacinto
* San Luis Obispo
* San Luis Reservoir
* San Pablo Bay
* Santa Rosa
* Shasta Valley
* Silver Creek
* Slinkard/Little Antelope
* Smithneck Creek
* South Fork
* Spenceville
* Surprise Valley
* Sutter Bypass
* Tehama
* Truckee River
* Upper Butte Basin
* Volta
* Warner Valley
* Waukell Creek
* West Hilmar
* Westlker River
* White Slough
* Willow Creek
* Yolo Bypass

|

Ecological
Reserves|

* Albany Mudflats
* Alkali Sink
* Allensworth
* Atascadero Creek Marsh
* Bair Island
* Baldwin Lake
* Batiquitos Lagoon
* Blue Sky
* Boden Canyon
* Boggs Lake
* Bolsa Chica
* Bonny Doon
* Buena Vista Lagoon
* Butler Slough
* Butte Creek Canyon
* Butte Creek House
* Buttonwillow
* By Day Creek
* Calhoun Cut
* Canebrake
* Carlsbad Highlands
* Carmel Bay
* Carrizo Canyon
* Carrizo Plains
* China Point
* Clover Creek
* Coachella Valley
* Coal Canyon
* Corte Madera Marsh
* Crestridge
* Dairy Mart Ponds
* Dales Lake
* Del Mar Landing
* Eden Landing
* Elkhorn Slough
* Estelle Mountain
* Fall River Mills
* Fish Slough
* Fremont Valley
* Goleta Slough
* Indian Joe Spring
* Kaweah
* Kerman
* King Clone
* Laguna Laurel
* Loch Lomond Vernal Pool
* Lokern
* Magnesia Spring
* Marin Islands
* Mattole River
* McGinty Mountain
* Morro Dunes
* Morro Rock
* Napa River
* North Table Mountain
* Oasis Spring
* Panoche Hills
* Peytonia Slough
* Phoenix Vernal Pools
* Pine Hill
* Piute Creek
* Pleasant Valley
* Rancho Jamul
* Redwood Shores
* River Springs Lakes
* Saline Valley
* San Dieguito Lagoon
* San Elijo Lagoon
* San Felipe Creek
* San Joaquin River
* Santa Rosa Plateau
* Springville
* Stone Corral
* Sycamore Canyon
* Sycuan Peak
* Thomes Creek
* Tomales Bay
* Upper Newport Bay
* Watsonville Slough
* West Mojave Desert
* Woodbridge
* Yaudanchi

Marine
Protected
Areas|

* Abalone Cove and Point Vicente
* Anacapa Island SMCA
* Año Nuevo
* Arrow Point to Lion Head Point
* Batiquitos Lagoon
* Big Creek
* Bodega Head
* Bolsa Chica
* Cambria
* Campus Point
* Carmel Bay
* Cat Harbor
* Crystal Cove
* Dana Point
* Duxbury Reef
* Edward F. Ricketts
* Elkhorn Slough
* Estero Americano
* Estero de Limantour and Drakes Estero
* Estero de San Antonio
* Fagan Marsh
* Famosa Slough
* Farnsworth Onshore and Offshore
* Goleta Slough
* Greyhound Rock
* Lovers Cove and Casino Point
* MacKerricher
* Marin Islands
* Morro Bay
* Naples
* Pacific Grove Marine Gardens
* Painted Cave
* Piedras Blancas
* Point Arena
* Point Buchon
* Point Dume
* Point Reyes
* Point Sur
* Portuguese Ledge
* Pyramid Point
* Robert E. Badham
* Robert W. Crown
* Russian Gulch
* Russian River
* Salt Point
* San Diego-Scripps
* San Dieguito Lagoon
* San Elijo Lagoon
* Saunders Reef
* Sea Lion Cove
* Sonoma Coast
* Soquel Canyon
* South La Jolla
* South Point
* Southeast Farallon Island
* Stewarts Point
* Swami's
* Tijuana River Mouth
* Upper Newport Bay
* Van Damme
* Vandenberg
* White Rock (Cambria)

Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Lands

| National Monuments|

* Berryessa Snow Mountain
* California Coastal
* Carrizo Plain
* Cascade–Siskiyou
* Fort Ord
* Mojave Trails
* Sand to Snow
* Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains

|

National
Conservation Areas|

* California Desert
* King Range

Wilderness Areas|

* Argus Range
* Big Maria Mountains
* Bigelow Cholla Garden
* Bighorn Mountain
* Black Mountain
* Bright Star
* Bristol Mountains
* Cadiz Dunes
* Carrizo Gorge
* Chemehuevi Mountains
* Chimney Peak
* Chuckwalla Mountains
* Chumash
* Cleghorn Lakes
* Clipper Mountain
* Coso Range
* Coyote Mountains
* Darwin Falls
* Dead Mountains
* Dick Smith
* El Paso Mountains
* Fish Creek Mountains
* Funeral Mountains
* Garcia
* Golden Valley
* Grass Valley
* Headwaters Forest Reserve
* Hollow Hills
* Ibex
* Indian Pass
* Inyo Mountains
* Jacumba
* Kelso Dunes
* Kiavah
* Kingston Range
* Little Chuckwalla Mountains
* Little Picacho
* Machesna Mountain
* Malpais Mesa
* Manly Peak
* Matilija
* Mecca Hills
* Mesquite
* Newberry Mountains
* Nopah Range
* North Algodones Dunes
* North Mesquite Mountains
* Old Woman Mountains
* Orocopia Mountains
* Otay Mountain
* Owens Peak
* Pahrump Valley
* Palen/McCoy
* Palo Verde Mountains
* Picacho Peak
* Piper Mountain
* Piute Mountains
* Red Buttes
* Resting Spring Range
* Rice Valley
* Riverside Mountains
* Rodman Mountains
* Sacatar Trail
* Saddle Peak Hills
* San Gorgonio
* Santa Lucia
* Santa Rosa
* Sawtooth Mountains
* Sespe
* Sheephole Valley
* South Nopah Range
* Stateline
* Stepladder Mountains
* Surprise Canyon
* Sylvania Mountains
* Trilobite
* Turtle Mountains
* Whipple Mountains

National Marine Sanctuaries

* Channel Islands
* Cordell Bank
* Greater Farallones
* Monterey Bay

National Estuarine Research Reserves

* Elkhorn Slough
* San Francisco Bay
* Tijuana River

University of California Natural Reserve System

* Angelo Coast Range
* Año Nuevo Island
* Blue Oak Ranch
* Bodega Marine
* Box Springs
* Burns Piñon Ridge
* Carpinteria Salt Marsh
* Chickering American River
* Coal Oil Point
* Dawson Los Monos Canyon
* Eagle Lake Field Station
* Elliott Chaparral
* Emerson Oaks
* Fort Ord
* Hans Jenny Pygmy Forest
* Hastings
* James San Jacinto Mountains
* Jepson Prairie
* Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh
* Landels-Hill Big Creek
* Lassen Field Station
* McLaughlin
* Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland
* Motte Rimrock
* Philip L. Boyd Deep Canyon Desert
* Point Reyes Field Station
* Quail Ridge
* Rancho Marino
* Sagehen Creek Field Station
* San Joaquin Marsh
* Santa Cruz Island
* Scripps Coastal
* Sedgwick
* Stebbins Cold Canyon
* Steele Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert
* Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains
* Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert
* Valentine Eastern Sierra
* White Mountain
* Younger Lagoon

Private Conservation Land Trusts

* Agua Hedionda Lagoon
* Arastradero Preserve
* Arroyo Conejo Open Space
* Audubon Canyon Ranch
* Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve
* Blue Ridge Berryessa Natural Area
* Bluff Lake
* Big Sur Land Trust
* California Rangeland Trust
* Catalina Island Conservancy
* Claremont Canyon Conservancy
* Cosumnes River Preserve
* Fairfield Osborn Preserve
* Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County
* Pacific Forest Trust
* Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
* Peninsula Open Space Trust
* Pepperwood Preserve
* Sanctuary Forest
* Santa Cruz Island
* Santa Lucia Preserve
* Sempervirens Fund
* Sierra Nevada Alliance
* Sogorea Te Land Trust
* The Nature Conservancy
* Trust for Public Land
* The Wildlands Conservancy

Heritage registers
National Natural Landmarks

* v
* t
* e

Monterey County tourist attractions

Historic sites|

| Historic buildings|

* Asilomar Conference Grounds
* Colton Hall
* Doud House
* Ecualyptus Tree Row
* First theater in California
* Gosby House Inn
* House of the Four Winds
* Larkin House
* Monterey State Historic Park
* Old Monterey Jail
* Point Pinos Lighthouse
* Point Sur Lighthouse
* Samuel M. Black House
* Sherman Quarters
* Vásquez House
* Whalers Cabin

|

Historic
mission churches|

* Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
* Mission San Antonio de Padua
* Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

Literary sites|

* Cannery Row
* John Steinbeck House (Salinas, California)
* National Steinbeck Center
* Robert Louis Stevenson House
* Tor House and Hawk Tower

Museums|

| Art|

* Alvarado Gallery
* Monterey County Youth Museum
* Monterey Museum of Art
* Picard Trade Bead Museum and African Art Gallery

|

History|

* Boronda History Center
* Camp Roberts Historical Museum
* Museum of Monterey
* Presidio of Monerey Museum

Science|

* Hopkins Marine Station
* Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History

Arboretums and gardens|

* Casa del Oro Sensory and Herb Garden
* Casa Soberanes Garden
* Custom House Cactus Garden
* First Theater in California Garden
* Lester Rowntree Native Plant Garden
* Memory Garden
* Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area

Golf courses|

* Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course
* Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links
* Pebble Beach Golf Links
* Poppy Hills Golf Course
* Spyglass Hill Golf Course

Cultural|

| Performing arts
centers and venues|

* Forest Theater
* Golden Bough Playhouse
* Golden State Theatre
* Monterey County Fairgrounds
* Sunset Center

|

Annual events
and festivals|

* California Rodeo Salinas
* California Roots Music and Arts Festival
* Carmel Bach Festival
* Kiddie Kapers Parade
* Monterey Car Week
* Monterey Jazz Festival
* Monterey Motorsports Reunion
* Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Sports venues|

* Laguna Seca

Outdoors|

| Regions|

* Big Sur
* Monterey Bay
* Monterey Canyon
* Monterey Peninsula
* Salinas Valley

|

Trails|

* Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
* Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail
* General Jim Moore Trail

Regional parks
and lakes|

* Cachagua Community Park
* Garland Ranch Regional Park
* Jacks Peak Park
* Laguna Grande Regional Park
* Lake El Estero
* Locke-Paddon Wetland Community Park
* Palo Corona Regional Park
* San Clemente Blue Rock Open Space

Reserves, preserves,
and refuges|

* Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve
* Asilomar State Marine Reserve
* Big Creek State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area
* Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area
* Carmel Pinnacles State Marine Reserve
* Carmel River Lagoon and Wetlands Natural Preserve
* Edward F. Ricketts State Marine Conservation Area
* Eolian Dunes Preserve
* Frog Pond Wetland Preserve
* John Little State Reserve
* Lovers Point State Marine Reserve
* Marina Dunes Natural Preserve
* Mill Creek Redwood Preserve
* Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
* Ohlone Coastal Cultural Preserve
* Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area
* Pajaro River Mouth Natural Preserve
* Point Lobos State Marine Reserve
* Point Sur Dunes Natural Preserve
* Salinas River Dunes Natural Preserve
* Salinas River Mouth Natural Preserve
* Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
* Samuel F. B. Morse Botanical Reserve

State parks|

* Andrew Molera State Park
* Asilomar State Beach
* Carmel River State Beach
* Garrapata State Park
* Hatton Canyon
* Fort Ord Dunes State Park
* Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
* Marina State Beach
* Monterey State Beach
* Moss Landing State Beach
* Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Park
* Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
* Point Lobos Ranch
* Salinas River State Beach
* Zmudowski State Beach

National parks|

* Pinnacles National Park

National forests|

* Los Padres National Forest

Scenic drives|

* 17 Mile Drive
* Big Sur Coast Highway
* Carmel Valley Scenic Drive
* Highway 1
* Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
* Point Pinos Lighthouse Drive
* River Road Wine Trail

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Israel
* United States
* 2

*[Pub. L.]: Public Law (United States)
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