Briones Regional Park
Map SatelliteOne of the larger parks in the County, Briones is primarily a series of ridges and valleys, with a relatively limited amount of flat lands.
More than half the area is grassland, with Bromus spp. and Avena sp. common. Much of the remaining area, particularly on the northern slopes, is a mixed broadleaf evergreen forest with madrone, Arbutus menziesii, California bay, Umbellularia californica, big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum, coast live and black oaks, Quercus agrifolia and Quercus kelloggii, and hop-trees, Ptelea crenulata.
There is some chaparral with chamise, Adenostoma fasciculatum, chaparral pea, Pickeringia montana, and Arctostaphylos spp., the latter being found primarily on the soils derived from Rodeo shale. Some excellent stands of blue oak, Quercus douglasii, are present. Hybrids of this species with the valley oak, Quercus lobata, occur here.
Animal life is typical of the mid-Coast Ranges. Of note are the substantial populations of the California newt, Taricha torosa, and the rough-skinned newt, Taricha granulosa. These species hybridize here.
Geologically, the area is underlain by mid and upper Miocene marine sedimentaries. Several seasonal and permanent streams run through the area and there are two small ponds.
Integrity: The area is subject to heavy weekend and summer use, but has a minimal recreational development, trails, fire roads, etc.
Use: Educational, observational, present.
March 1980
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
