Carrizo Plain
Carrizo Plain is a remote grassland valley in California, renowned for spring wildflowers, fossil beds, and wildlife migrations. Expect expansive views, seasonal blooms—especially goldEN poppies—and access to national park-style trails.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | California |
| Subregion | Western United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Luis Obispo County |
| District | Carrizo Plain |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 35.234 |
| Longitude | -120.242 |
| Maps |
11:55 AM LOCAL TIMECarrizo Plain lies within the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada and north of the Transverse Ranges, known primarily for extensive grasslands, seasonal wildflower displays, and its wide-open desert-plain character. As a relatively undeveloped landscape, it offers high-value experience for backcountry hiking, wildlife viewing, and seeing natural California beyond tubing or roadside pullouts. Key features include the Werner Peak and Snite Hill ridges, and the nearby Fossil Bed which preserves Miocene-era remains of bivalves and gastropods. Visitors come for massive spring blooms—notably poppiess and sand verbena—and for the chance to see pronghorn antelope, mesa bines and migrating California thrush. Facilities are basic: expect unpaved routes, limited visitor services, and variable conditions; planning ahead is critical for overnight or long-distance travel. Combining this with adjacent lands (e.g. Point San Luis or El Chorro Regional Park) broadens options for arrival, overnighting, and related valley hikes.
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