Antioch Dunes
Map SatelliteThe once extensive Antioch Dunes have been reduced to a few remnants which still possess geological, botanical and zoological interest.
Geologically these dunes were the largest river-laid dunes in the State, stretching along the south shore of the San Joaquin River for nearly 16 kilometers (10 miles).
On the stabilized dunes there is not a great variety of vegetation, though two endangered species are found here, the evening primrose, Oenothera deltoides var. howellii, and the wallflower, Erysimum capitatum var. angustatum. There is also a unique population of the blue bush lupine, Lupinus albifrons.
A disjunct population, the northernmost, of the uncommon California legless lizard, Anniella pulchra, occurred here and may still. Additionally, from an entomological standpoint the area is of great interest as the following very rare and/or endemic species are found here: Lange's metalmark butterfly, Apodemia mormo langei; the sand wasps, Philanthus nasalis and Eucerceris ruficeps; the bee, Hesperapis regularis (a unique population); the Apriocerid fly, Raphidomyia sp., and a sand beetle, Coelus gracilis.
Integrity: Only a few scattered remnants of the dunes remain; the rest have been quarried, flattened and industrialized. These remnants have been damaged by off-road vehicles, dumping, etc. Though zoned industrial, they are currently in a one-year open space category (until January 1976).
Use: Observational only until restored.
Ref: Roof, J. B. 1969. In Memoriam: The Antioch Dunes. The Four Seasons, Vol. 3 (l) (December), p. 2-4.
February 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman