Location:
The site is located 50 miles east of San Luis Obispo, California.

  Description:
The Caliente Range is an isolated area with the highest point in San Luis Obispo County, the Caliente Mountain (Caliente Mountain Access Trail).  It forms the western border of the Carrizo Plain National Monument and the eastern border of the Cuyama Valley and the Los Padres National Forest.

 Directions:
From San Luis Obispo take U.S. Highway 101 north to Santa Margarita, then turn east on State Highway 58 and travel 35 miles to Soda Lake Road. Turn south on Soda Lake Road and travel 15 miles to just south of the Painted Rock turnoff. Turn west on Selby Road and follow it about 5 miles to Caliente Ridge in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. There is a parking area at Caliente Ridge, and a foot trail that continues along the ridge line 10 miles to the top of Caliente Mountain.

--OR--From Los Angeles, take Interstate 5 to U.S. Highway 99, south to State Highway 166. Go west on Highway 166 and travel to New Cuyama. The trail is about 14 miles west of New Cuyama. It begins on the north side of the highway shortly after crossing a bridge over the Cuyama River.

         Visitor Activities:
Hunting, hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography.

  Permits, Fees, Limitations:
There are no fees to enter the site. A State of California hunting license is required. Vehicle access is limited; visitors must be prepared to hike into many areas.

  Accessibility:  None

  Camping and Lodging:
There is primitive camping available in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Developed campgrounds are located in the Los Padres National Forest, 25-30 miles west on State Highways 166 or 58. The nearest lodging is sometimes available in California Valley on Soda Lake Road, about 10 miles north of the Selby Road turnoff though availability is unreliable at best. Lodging is available in New Cuyama.

  Food and Supplies:
This is a very isolated area with limited services. The nearest food and supplies are located in Maricopa, south of the Carrizo Plain and in New Cuyama.

   First Aid:
There is a California Department of Forestry (CDF) Station in California Valley, [telephone: (805) 475-2222], and a Santa Barbara County Fire Station at New Cuyama [telephone: (805) 965-5252]. The nearest hospital is located in Santa Maria, 50 miles west on State Highway 166 or in Taft, 55 miles east off of State Highway 119.

   Additional Information:
This is an undeveloped area with no bathroom facilities or potable water. It is hot and dry during the summer, with high wildland fire danger during summer and fall. Winter can be very cold.

Most visiting is done during the fall hunting seasons, generally open from November to January, when daytime temperatures are very warm and evenings are chilly. The best time to visit for sightseeing is during the spring wildflower season in April.

    For more information, contact:

The Bureau of Land Management
Bakersfield Field Office
3801 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Phone: (661) 391-6000
FAX: (661) 391-6040

Office hours: 7:30 am - 4:15 pm
Monday - Friday, closed holidays

Carrizo Plain National Monument