Fort Ord Dunes SP

Connecting the Pacific Ocean with the land, the California Coastal National
Monument provides unique coastal

habitat for marine-dependent wildlife and vegetation on 6 mainland units and
more than 20,000 rocks, islands, exposed reefs, and pinnacles along the
California coastline. The Monument includes public lands along the coast of
California, and in the near shore waters of the Pacific Ocean. The off-shore
rocks and islands are exposed above mean high tide, and within 12 nautical
miles of the mainland along the 1,100 mile California coastline.While millions
of people view the Monument from beaches, bluffs, and watercraft, a closer
look reveals activity as it provides untrammeled nesting habitat for an
estimated 200,000 breeding seabirds and thousands of loafing and breeding
marine mammals, including harbor seals, and California and Steller's sea
lions.The California coast is a way of life for millions of Californians, and
a destination for visitors from around the world. We come to the coast for
health, play, work, discovery, and enjoyment. The scenic beauty and important
wildlife habitat within the Monument are protected by the BLM as National
Conservation Lands. Along its length, this spectacular interplay of land and
sea is an experience that creates lasting connections between people and
nature.

Connecting the Pacific Ocean with the land, the California Coastal National Monument provides unique coastal

habitat for marine-dependent wildlife and vegetation on 6 mainland units and more than 20,000 rocks, islands, exposed reefs, and pinnacles along the California coastline. The Monument includes public lands along the coast of California, and in the near shore waters of the Pacific Ocean. The off-shore rocks and islands are exposed above mean high tide, and within 12 nautical miles of the mainland along the 1,100 mile California coastline.While millions of people view the Monument from beaches, bluffs, and watercraft, a closer look reveals activity as it provides untrammeled nesting habitat for an estimated 200,000 breeding seabirds and thousands of loafing and breeding marine mammals, including harbor seals, and California and Steller's sea lions.The California coast is a way of life for millions of Californians, and a destination for visitors from around the world. We come to the coast for health, play, work, discovery, and enjoyment. The scenic beauty and important wildlife habitat within the Monument are protected by the BLM as National Conservation Lands. Along its length, this spectacular interplay of land and sea is an experience that creates lasting connections between people and nature.

The diverse habitats found on this coastline provide a critical refuge for a number of threatened and endangered species including the Point Arena mountain beaver, the western snowy plover, Behren's silverspot butterfly and California red-legged frog.

California Coastal National Monument

Bird's eye view of the park

Central Coast Field Office

Marina SB

Monterey SB

This 367-acre coastal National Wildlife Refuge is located where the Salinas
River empties into Monterey Bay. The refuge is roughly triangular in shape
with the Pacific Ocean forming the western border, the Salinas River forming
the northeast border, and the southern border running adjacent to privately
owned parcels of land. Refuge lands include a range of terrestrial and aquatic
habitats, including coastal dunes and beach, grasslands, a saline pond and
salt marsh, and riparian habitats. Because of its location within the Pacific
Flyway, the refuge is used by a variety of migratory birds during breeding,
wintering, and migration periods.

The refuge also provides habitat for several threatened and endangered
species. The threatened western snowy plover, just six inches tall, lays its
eggs in simple scrapes on the sparsely vegetated foredunes of the refuge, as
well as other beaches and salt pannes in California. And the endangered
Smith's blue butterfly makes its home in the buckwheat patches found blooming
throughout the backdunes.

This 367-acre coastal National Wildlife Refuge is located where the Salinas River empties into Monterey Bay. The refuge is roughly triangular in shape with the Pacific Ocean forming the western border, the Salinas River forming the northeast border, and the southern border running adjacent to privately owned parcels of land. Refuge lands include a range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats,  including coastal dunes and beach, grasslands, a saline pond and salt marsh, and riparian habitats. Because of its location within the Pacific Flyway, the refuge is used by a variety of migratory birds during breeding, wintering, and migration periods. 

The refuge also provides habitat for several threatened and endangered species.  The threatened western snowy plover,  just six inches tall, lays its eggs in simple scrapes on the sparsely vegetated foredunes of the refuge, as well as other beaches and salt pannes in California. And the endangered Smith's blue butterfly makes its home in the buckwheat patches found blooming throughout the backdunes.

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge

Monterey SHP

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine
protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons
and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments. By balancing activities and
commercial uses with protection of natural resources, the vast area of waters
provides some of the best wildlife viewing, as well as a variety of marine
life, including several species of marine mammals, seabirds and shorebirds,
invertebrates, and algae. Visitors can enjoy these waters by surfing, diving,
snorkeling, whale watching, and tidepooling. Out of the water, the stunning
coastline can be enjoyed by hiking, biking, or just simply driving along the
coastline. To learn more about this sanctuary, visitors should stop by either
the Coastal Discovery Center in San Simeon, California or the Sanctuary
Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the most spectacular marine protected areas. This sanctuary also has one of the largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments. By balancing activities and commercial uses with protection of natural resources, the vast area of waters provides some of the best wildlife viewing, as well as a variety of marine life, including several species of marine mammals, seabirds and shorebirds, invertebrates, and algae. Visitors can enjoy these waters by surfing, diving, snorkeling, whale watching, and tidepooling. Out of the water, the stunning coastline can be enjoyed by hiking, biking, or just simply driving along the coastline. To learn more about this sanctuary, visitors should stop by either the Coastal Discovery Center in San Simeon, California or the Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz, California.

Sea Otters in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Watching a sea otter in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Watching a sea otter

Diving in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Diving

Photographing a dolphin the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Photographing a dolphin

Exploring tidepools in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Exploring tidepools

Asilomar SB

Please visit our primary Fort Ord National Monument page for the latest
information, maps and guides.

Please visit our primary <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/fort-ord-national-monument" rel="nofollow">Fort Ord National Monument</a> page for the latest information, maps and guides.

Goats graze on the tall grass at Fort Ord to help reduce fuel loads, slow shrub encroachment and decrease some of the invasive plants.

Goats at Help Reduce Fuel Loads

Fort Ord Trees

Two horseback riders admire the scenery as they ride around shrubbery and hills.

Horseback Riding at Fort Ord

Elementary school hildren run, play, and learn at the Fort Ord National Monument.

Outdoor Classroom

Fort Ord National Monument

Salinas River SB

Hatton Canyon

Carmel River SB

Moss Landing SB

Point Lobos Ranch

Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few undisturbed coastal wetlands
remaining in California. The main channel of the slough, which winds inland
nearly seven miles, is flanked by a broad salt marsh second in size only to
San Francisco Bay. More than 400 species of invertebrates, 80 species of fish
and 200 species of birds have been identified in Elkhorn Slough. The channels
and tidal creeks of the slough are nurseries for many species of fish.
Additionally, the slough is on the Pacific flyway, providing an important
feeding and resting ground for many kinds of migrating waterfowl and
shorebirds.

Elkhorn Slough is one of the relatively few undisturbed coastal wetlands remaining in California. The main channel of the slough, which winds inland nearly seven miles, is flanked by a broad salt marsh second in size only to San Francisco Bay.

More than 400 species of invertebrates, 80 species of fish and 200 species of birds have been identified in Elkhorn Slough. The channels and tidal creeks of the slough are nurseries for many species of fish. Additionally, the slough is on the Pacific flyway, providing an important feeding and resting ground for many kinds of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

Grasslands in Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, California

California Live Oak Trees in Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, California

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

Point Lobos SNR

Zmudowski SB

Garrapata SP

A perennial spring supplies the water flowing through a short distance in the
Great Falls Basin Wilderness, and that reach has cut a narrow and deep slot in
the bedrock forming several falls. The steep mountainous terrain includes
granite outcrops which provide opportunities for cross country hiking and
exploration. Elevations range from 2,000-4,500 feet. Vegetation is mixed
desert scrub, with the dominant plant being creosote. In the higher
elevations, the vegetation changes to heavier upland scrub with yucca,
mountain mahogany, and some pinyon and juniper trees. The Inyo brown towhee, a
state-listed rare bird species, frequents the basin, as do desert bighorn
sheep.

Visitors might not think of the desert as a place for water, but year-round
water creates a cooling and refreshing hideaway in this normally hot desert.

For more information about this wilderness, please visit Wilderness Connect.

##  Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in
different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). For more
information on any of the principles listed below, please visit Leave No
Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

  * Plan Ahead and Prepare
  * Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  * Dispose of Waste Properly
  * Leave What You Find
  * Minimize Campfire Impacts
  * Respect Wildlife
  * Be Considerate of Other Visitors

## Rules and Regulations

Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally
prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the
use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment,
bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of
aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.
In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or
mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a
specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations.

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmcalifornia/49914480807/in/album-72157714371554101/" title="Great Falls Basin Wilderness" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49914480807_822903578a_c.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="Great Falls Basin Wilderness"></a> 

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmcalifornia/49913691593/in/album-72157714371554101/" title="Great Falls Basin Wilderness" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49913691593_228ae33281.jpg" width="447" height="500" alt="Great Falls Basin Wilderness"></a> 

A perennial spring supplies the water flowing through a short distance in the Great Falls Basin Wilderness, and that reach has cut a narrow and deep slot in the bedrock forming several falls. The steep mountainous terrain includes granite outcrops which provide opportunities for cross country hiking and exploration. Elevations range from 2,000-4,500 feet. Vegetation is mixed desert scrub, with the dominant plant being creosote. In the higher elevations, the vegetation changes to heavier upland scrub with yucca, mountain mahogany, and some pinyon and juniper trees. The Inyo brown towhee, a state-listed rare bird species, frequents the basin, as do desert bighorn sheep. 

 
 
Visitors might not think of the desert as a place for water, but year-round water creates a cooling and refreshing hideaway in this normally hot desert. 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information about this wilderness, please visit <a href="https://wilderness.net" rel="nofollow">Wilderness Connect</a>. 

 

 

 

<h2> Leave No Trace </h2> 

 

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). For more information on any of the principles listed below, please visit Leave No Trace, <a href="https://lnt.org/" rel="nofollow">Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.</a> 

 

<ul><li>Plan Ahead and Prepare</li> 

 

<li>Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces</li> 

 

<li>Dispose of Waste Properly</li> 

 

<li>Leave What You Find</li> 

 

<li>Minimize Campfire Impacts</li> 

 

<li>Respect Wildlife</li> 

 

<li>Be Considerate of Other Visitors</li></ul> 

 

 

 

<h2>Rules and Regulations</h2> 

 

Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation. In a few areas some exceptions allowing the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport are described in the special regulations in effect for a specific area. Contact the agency for more information about regulations. 

 

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmcalifornia/49914190621/in/album-72157714371554101/" title="Great Falls Basin Wilderness" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49914190621_1b1fd748a5_c.jpg" width="800" height="509" alt="Great Falls Basin Wilderness"></a>