Coast Ranges – South

South of the Bay Area and north of the Transverse Ranges, the mountains that form this physiographic region are low but rugged. In places like Big Sur, the mountains truly seem to leap out of the sea and into the clouds. Farther south, the golden hues of the grasslands and open woodlands give one a new appreciation for why this is called The Golden State.

Carizzo Plain Wildflowers

Stunning displays of wildflowers bloom in spring on the Carrizo Plain. However, not every year is as productive or colorful. The amount and timing of the winter rains coupled with the temperature dictate whether the bloom will be a spectacular one or a more modest affair.

Cannery Row

Cannery Row was made famous by John Steinbeck's novel of the same name. It used to house several sardine canning facilities. Overfishing has closed most of these enterprises but tourism and redevelopment has re-opened many of the buildings as shops and restaurants.

Old Growth

A gnarled burl grows on a coast redwood tree in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

McWay falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is one of the most picturesque waterfalls on the Big Sur Coast, if not in all of California.

Mixed Plant Communities

On the precipitous slopes of the Central Coast it is not uncommon to find several different plant communities growing in close proximity. Here, grassland-covered slopes mix with patches of chaparral and coastal scrub, while in the ravines, riparian communities and even redwood groves take root.

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