Carrizo Plain National Monument - Carrizo Plain National Monument visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Carrizo Plain National Monument' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from California.

The Carrizo Plain National Monument cover an area about 50 miles by 15 miles in San Luis Obispo County, California. Just 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles and bounded by both the Temblor Range and the Caliente Range, the Carrizo Plains contain the largest area of natural grassland in California. Through the middle of it runs part of the San Andreas Fault.

Carrizo Plain National Monument is open to the public, and information about the park can be obtained from the Guy L. Goodwin Education Center. One of the major attractions within the plain include Soda Lake, a 12 km² alkaline lake in the middle of the plain fed by Wallace Creek and other creeks around the plain in times of rain. Nearby is Painted Rock, decorated with Chumash and Yokut rock art.

Carrizo Plain is one of the best places to see the San Andreas Fault. This runs through the eastern side of the plain along the foot of the Temblor Range. It is best viewed early or late in the day when long shadows accentuate the topography. The Big Spring Fault, the San Juan Fault, the Morales Fault, and the White Rock Fault are other faults that run parallel to the San Andreas fault through the Plain.

There are numerous designated walking trails through Carrizo Plain and walkers may catch sight of numerous rare animals including the San Joaquin Kit Fox, Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard, Giant Kangaroo Rat and San Joaquin antelope squirrel.

Via Soda Lake Road, a gravel track, which connects the 166 at the southern entrance to the Carrizo Plain with route 58 to the north. Soda Lake Road my not be passable after rain.

Visitors Warning: Those wishing to visit Carrizo Plain should take note that there are few amenities and no facilities within the plain. Make sure you take plenty of water and other supplies. The nearest gas stations are in Maricopa and Santa Margarita. Portable toilets can be found at Overlook, Selby Campground, KCL Campground and the Traver's Ranch. There is no mobile phone signal anywhere within the plain and the nearest public phone is in California Valley, 15 miles north of the Goodwin Education Center.