|
Map Satellite The park encompasses the lower portion of Bell and San Juan canyons. Several plant communities are present. In the broad canyon bottoms there is a riparian community, with sycamores, Platanus racemosa, the most conspicuous element. Additionally, there is some southern oak woodland dominated by coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia. On the canyons' slopes and ridge-backs, coastal sage scrub and chaparral are found. In the former, near the head of San Juan canyon, is the type locality for the rare Dudleya viscida. There is an extensive stand of cattail, Typha sp., near a hot spring in upper San Juan. Additionally, there are scattered grasslands, primarily exotics. The area provides good habitats for a variety of animals, including a number of birds such as Lewis's woodpecker, Asyndesmus lewis, the white-tailed kite, Elanus leucurus, and the red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus. There is a good population of the orange-throated whiptail lizard, Cnemidophorus hyperythrus, in the region. Geologically, the area is primarily sandstones and other marine sedimentaries ranging in age from the upper Cretaceous through the Paleocene and Eocene. Along some of the steep-sided cliffs there are good exposures of the strata. Integrity: The area has been grazed, but without significant damage to the non-grassland area. There are trails and camping facilities in the lower end of the park. The remains of an abandoned spa are present. A highway traverses San Juan canyon. Use: Research, educational, observational, present. March 1977
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
|
