Pacheco

Our Mission Pacheco State Park The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Pacheco’s many ponds and streams provide tranquil spots to rest, water horses, or California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (209) 826-6283 or (209) 826-1197. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Pacheco State Park 38787 Dinosaur Point Road Hollister, CA 95023 (209) 826-6283 www.parks.ca.gov/pacheco © 2008 California State Parks (Rev. 2015) enjoy a picnic. E xplosions of colorful wildflowers, incredible vistas from rolling hills, secluded meadows — these are all part of vibrant Pacheco State Park. The remainder of a Mexican land grant, this 6,890-acre state park is rich with wildlife and historic features. The Pacheco area is semiarid. Summer temperatures range from 80 to 100 degrees while winter brings a brisker 30 to 55 degrees. Evenings are cool all year due to coastal air currents moving across Pacheco Pass. PARK HISTORY Native People Archaeological and ethnographic evidence indicates that Pacheco Pass was a borderland primarily inhabited by the Northern Valley Yokuts tribe and the Mutsun branch of Coastal Ohlone. Small, seasonal camps and larger villages, with immense circular structures where extended family resided, were common. The native people experienced large population losses as a result of Spanish and Mexican incursions, European and Canadian fur trappers, and American gold prospectors and settlers. Today, small numbers of Yokuts and Ohlone people still live in California and honor their ancient roots. Highway 152 along the park traces an old native trail running from the Central Valley to the coast. The Pacheco Land Pacheco Pass is strategically located at the edge of the Diablo Range, providing a vital Pass toll road, engineered by Andrew Firebaugh in 1856. The Pacheco family continued to flourish, increasing their land holdings until they were among the wealthiest landowners in California. Pacheco descendants maintained title to this property for five generations. This park exists as the dream of Paula Fatjo, an Arabian horse breeder and a Pacheco adobe, built in 1844 fifth-generation Pacheco descendant. After inheriting the land, Fatjo wanted her ranch transportation link between the Pacific coast to be safeguarded for those who shared her and California’s San Joaquin Valley. love for its history, solitude, and beauty. In 1806 Gabriel Moraga and Father Pedro Paula restored the Pacheco adobe, living Muñoz traversed the pass during the first there until much of the acreage was taken by documented European expedition. They eminent domain for the construction of San camped at a former Yokuts village site. Luis Reservoir. The adobe did not survive its Soldier and wagon maker Francisco Perez attempted move intact; ruins are near Ranch Pacheco came to California from Mexico in Headquarters. In 1992, Fatjo deeded the last 1820. The Mexican governor granted a 48,0006,890 acres of her ranch to the State. acre parcel, El Rancho San Luis Gonzaga, to Francisco Pacheco in 1843. NATURAL RESOURCES The following year, his son Juan Perez Natural Features Pacheco built an adobe outpost on the site of Pacheco State Park is famed for its sweeping today’s San Luis Reservoir, near the location panoramas of mostly undeveloped where Moraga and Muñoz had camped nearly grasslands and oak woodlands. Its location 40 years earlier. The adobe atop the Diablo Mountain Range provides subsequently served as a impressive vistas in all directions. The 1,927stagecoach stop, telegraph foot Spikes Peak offers a 360-degree view station, gambling hall, and even of San Luis Reservoir, the Central Valley, a gas station and roadside and the Coast Mountain Range. Grasslands, cafe for travelers. woodlands, ponds, and natural springs Many roads have provide seasonal changes. Summer and since been built autumn grasses turn gold, while spring rains through the tranquil bring bursts of wildflower colors. Frequent hills, including the strong winds have sculpted the blue, valley, original Pacheco and live oaks into striking windswept forms. Francisco Pacheco Plants and Animals The park’s native perennial grasses include one-sided bluegrass, purple needlegrass, and wild rye grasses. Carpeting the hills in spring are such wildflowers as butter-n-eggs, yellow violets, shooting star, popcorn flower, larkspur, and California poppy. A variety of wild animals calls the park home. Tule elk, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and foxes roam the slopes while golden eagles and several species of hawks soar above the treetops. Cattle graze on the historic ranch in winter and spring, as they have for more than 100 years. WIND TURBINE FARM Three-armed sentinels dot the hills of Pacheco State Park, providing clean energy for homes across the state. The eastern portion of the park is leased to a commercial venture that operates wind power plants and maintains turbines that generate enough electrical power for 3,500 homes. Call the park for tour information. ACTIVITIES Trails  — Twenty-eight miles of trails offer several varied loop choices for visitors. Hiking  —  Visitors are encouraged to hike the trails once traversed by many historical figures  — including the Yokuts and Mutsun people, Spanish missionaries and soldiers, Mexican vaqueros, gold seekers, and bandits. Biking —  All park trails currently allow bicycles and offer beginners and skilled riders a challenging and enjoyable ride over gentle slopes and steep hills. Equestrians  —  Paula Fatjo donated the property to promote a love of horses and of undisturbed land. Scenic equestrian trails wind throughout the park, and several small ponds provide drinking water for the horses. Primitive horse camping is available at the day-use area. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling (209) 826-1197. Special Events/Programs Springtime guided walks highlight the park’s fascinating history, and wildflower displays showcase its natural features. Several special events, such as Kite Day and Wildflower Day, are held annually. See www.parks. ca.gov/pacheco for an event schedule. School groups learn about wind energy. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Accessibility is continually improving; however, there are currently no wheelchairaccessible activities at this park. For updates, check http://access.parks.ca.gov. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Henry W. Coe State Park 9000 East Dunne Avenue Morgan Hill 95037 (408) 779-2728 • San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area, 7 miles west of I-5 on Hwy. 152, 31426 Gonzaga Road, Gustine 95322 (209) 826-1197 PLEASE REMEMBER • The park’s natural and cultural resources are protected by state law and may not be removed or disturbed. • Firearms and hunting are prohibited in state parks. • Except for service animals, dogs are not allowed on trails or in the park backcountry. • Drinking water is not available in the park. WARNING: The western black-legged tick is common throughout California and is often found on the tips of grasses and shrubs. Rattlesnakes and poison oak are also present. Help preserve natural features and stay safe. Stay on marked trails and avoid contact with vegetation. 100 0 St a t e Pa r k 130 to Los Baños 800 Pacheco SAN JOSÉ 1200 33 Lake 101 Anderson 5 60 0 Henry Coe SP 1000 This park is supported in part by: Fatjo Corporation and Four Rivers Assn. 160 0 For more information about supporting this park or to volunteer, call (209) 826-1197. 0 SAN 152 60 LU IS 0 140 0 J eep T ra ail ain unt 10 20 Kilometers 180 0 10 15 Miles 60 00 14 00 0 80 0 PA R K Major Road 600 Paved Road 0 Unpaved Road Multi-Use Trail 1200 Hi d (Hike/Bike/Horse) n de SAN LU IS R E S E RV O I R SRA Closed to Public Corrals/Stables 600 80 Horse Campground 0 1600 0 No Public Access 1000 ek 80 0 Park Entrance 0 0.25 0.5 0.5 0.75 1 Mile 1200 Cre 0 0 800 k L 1000 0 140 ee 1400 op B o u d a r y Lo n Sp rin g Luis S TAT E 1.5 Kilometers 1.0 140 Parking Picnic Area Restrooms 0 16 00 00 00 5 Legend 0 00 14 0 00 100 0 Mo 14 Bo un da ry 120 120 12 0 25 San Luis Reservoir 0 20 12 140 1000 140 1400 Sou th ee k ra il Diamond Lake 00 00 1 140 t Cr 12 Salinas Cr Trail f il Tra y Bound South ar Spi kes Pe 00 10 Mammoth Lake 00 00 12 14 1927ft 587m View Tr ri Sp Luc op Spikes Peak 00 San Luis Reservoir 1400 PA C H E C O Lo 12 il ra 14 nd AREA CLOSED Sal Nun Lake on Tra il Monterey TO PUBLIC p oo l Po ny nt ur il nb T ra r i n g Su Rd ing Sp Spr ak Diamond tT Fla ky Whis rai op Lo Ov er Ca d on T m e ia ak D dL on Diam 0 eT 0 0 00 160 Lak Up & 180 160 14 1400 n ky Pig Pond 1600 ow Spring Ridge Shad Trail ng Nu Of d tR y F la Flat Wh isky Wh Up il 1 Rd l g Tra 101 Fremont Peak SP ai r in Dinosaur Lake S a l t C r ee k Sp & er Ov San Luis Reservoir SRA San Juan Bautista Dinosaur Point 0 Tr ow 160 Pig ad 129 0 00 nnel Monum Tu en Trail t d Peak R Sh 100 12 1400 Spikes 1200 Rd 800 1400 isk 00 Point 152 Hollister 600 800 Rd W in d mi l l r Lake Trail sau no Di 12 1200 t Cu Tr Pon ail d d to Gilroy Pig 152 1 Santa Nella Pacheco SP 25 152 SRA Dinosaur Point Peak R Ranch Headquarters Pacheco Adobe il Park Entrance Spikes P 800 1000 00 1200 14 Day-Use Area Gilroy R E S E RV O I R 0 14 Dinosaur Morgan Hill 100 120 0 0 © 2008 California State Parks (Rev. 2015)