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.

Northern Elephant Seals

Two bulls duke it out over mating rights on a beach near San Simeon. Once hunted nearly to extinction, they are now quite numerous on the Central Coast.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Remnants of redwood forests are less contiguous as one travels south of the Bay Area. This is due to both natural and human-influenced factors. One of the more sizable stands of these giants can be found in Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Sand Dollar Beach

Large beaches are a rarity along the Central Coast between San Simeon and Monterey. Can you think of why this might be?

Turbulent Seas

Angry seas lap ominously at the emergent coastline south of Big Sur.

Volcanic Outcrops

Volcanic outcrops (at right) provide a contrast to the blonde hills and oak plain in the Diablo Range.

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