Fremont Peak State Park
| Fremont Peak State Park | |
|---|---|
 Sunset view from Fremont Peak State Park | |
   | |
| Location | Gabilan Range, Monterey County, San Benito County California |
| Nearest city | San Juan Bautista, California |
| Coordinates | 36°45′36″N 121°30′6″W / 36.76000°N 121.50167°W |
| Area | 162 acres (66 ha) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Fremont Peak State Park is a California State Park located in Monterey County and San Benito County, California. The park encompasses the summit of 3,173-foot (967 m) Fremont Peak in the Gabilan Range.
The park features expansive views of Monterey Bay and Pacific Ocean from its hiking trails. Other vistas include the San Benito Valley, Salinas Valley, and the Santa Lucia Mountains east of Big Sur. The 162-acre (66 ha) park was established in 1934.[1] The land was donated by Rollin Reeves, owner of Rancho Cienega del Gabilán.[2]
Natural history
[edit]Pine and California oak woodlands, of the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, cover much of the park and are home to many birds and mammals.
Recreation
[edit]Fremont Peak State Park has hiking trails, picnic facilities and 22 campsites (both tent and RV). Fremont Peak Day is held every April, and features a picnic and other activities.
The Fremont Peak Observatory opened in 1986, and has operated every summer since, despite having battled the frequently brutal mountaintop weather. The astronomical observatory has a 30-inch (760 mm) telescope.
Proposed for closure
[edit]Fremont Peak State Park was one of the 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as part of a deficit reduction program.[3] The closures were ultimately avoided by cutting hours and maintenance system-wide.[4]
See also
[edit]- List of California state parks
- George H. Moore, Los Angeles City Council member 1943–51, chairman of a group that established the park
References
[edit]- ^ "California State Park System Statistical Report: Fiscal Year 2009/10" (PDF). California State Parks: 24. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ https://www.gabilancattlecompany.com/history-of-the-land
- ^ CBS5.com: List Of Calif. Parks To Close In Budget Proposal Archived February 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ McGreevy, Patrick; Sahagun, Louis (September 26, 2009). "State parks to stay open, but with cuts in hours, staffing". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif. Retrieved December 30, 2011.