Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and Pacheco education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological acheco’s many diversity, protecting its most valued natural and P State Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. ponds and streams provide tranquil spots to rest, water horses, or enjoy a picnic. 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 [email protected].

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) E xplosions of colorful wildflowers, Pass toll road, engineered by Andrew incredible vistas from rolling hills, Firebaugh in 1856. secluded meadows — these are all The Pacheco family continued to flourish, part of vibrant Pacheco State Park. increasing their land holdings until they The remainder of a Mexican land were among the wealthiest landowners in grant, this 6,890-acre state park is rich California. Pacheco descendants maintained with wildlife and historic features. title to this property for five generations. The Pacheco area is semiarid. This park exists as the dream of Paula Summer temperatures range from Fatjo, an Arabian horse breeder and a 80 to 100 degrees while winter brings Pacheco adobe, built in 1844 fifth-generation Pacheco descendant. After a brisker 30 to 55 degrees. Evenings inheriting the land, Fatjo wanted her ranch transportation link between the Pacific coast are cool all year due to coastal air to be safeguarded for those who shared her and California’s San Joaquin Valley. currents moving across Pacheco Pass. 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 PARK HISTORY there until much of the acreage was taken by documented European expedition. They Native People eminent domain for the construction of San camped at a former Yokuts village site. Archaeological and ethnographic evidence Luis Reservoir. The adobe did not survive its Soldier and wagon maker Francisco Perez indicates that Pacheco Pass was a attempted move intact; ruins are near Ranch Pacheco came to California from Mexico in borderland primarily inhabited by the Headquarters. In 1992, Fatjo deeded the last 1820. The Mexican governor granted a 48,000- Northern Valley Yokuts tribe and the Mutsun 6,890 acres of her ranch to the State. branch of Coastal Ohlone. Small, seasonal acre parcel, El Rancho San Luis Gonzaga, to camps and larger villages, with immense Francisco Pacheco in 1843. NATURAL RESOURCES circular structures where extended family The following year, his son Juan Perez Natural Features resided, were common. Pacheco built an adobe outpost on the site of Pacheco State Park is famed for its sweeping The native people experienced large today’s San Luis Reservoir, near the location panoramas of mostly undeveloped population losses as a result of Spanish and where Moraga and Muñoz had camped nearly grasslands and oak woodlands. Its location Mexican incursions, European and Canadian 40 years earlier. The adobe atop the Diablo Mountain Range provides fur trappers, and American gold prospectors subsequently served as a impressive vistas in all directions. The 1,927- and settlers. Today, small numbers of Yokuts stagecoach stop, telegraph foot Spikes Peak offers a 360-degree view and Ohlone people still live in California station, gambling hall, and even of San Luis Reservoir, the Central Valley, and honor their ancient roots. a gas station and roadside and the Coast Mountain Range. Grasslands, Highway 152 along the park traces an old cafe for travelers. woodlands, ponds, and natural springs native trail running from the Central Valley Many roads have provide seasonal changes. Summer and to the coast. since been built autumn grasses turn gold, while spring rains through the tranquil bring bursts of wildflower colors. Frequent The Pacheco Land hills, including the strong winds have sculpted the blue, valley, Pacheco Pass is strategically located at the original Pacheco and live oaks into striking windswept forms. edge of the Diablo Range, providing a vital Francisco Pacheco Plants and Animals and maintains turbines that ACCESSIBLE FEATURES The park’s native perennial grasses include generate enough electrical Accessibility is continually one-sided bluegrass, purple needlegrass, power for 3,500 homes. Call improving; however, there and wild rye grasses. Carpeting the hills in the park for tour information. are currently no wheelchair- spring are such wildflowers as butter-n-eggs, accessible activities at this ACTIVITIES yellow violets, shooting star, popcorn flower, park. For updates, check Trails — Twenty-eight miles larkspur, and California poppy. http://access.parks.ca.gov. A variety of wild animals calls the park of trails offer several varied home. Tule elk, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and loop choices for visitors. NEARBY STATE PARKS foxes roam the slopes while golden eagles Hiking — Visitors are • Henry W. Coe State Park and several species of hawks soar above the encouraged to hike the 9000 East Dunne Avenue treetops. Cattle graze on the historic ranch trails once traversed by Morgan Hill 95037 in winter and spring, as they have for more many historical figures — (408) 779-2728 than 100 years. including the Yokuts and • San Luis Reservoir State Mutsun people, Spanish Recreation Area, 7 miles WIND TURBINE FARM missionaries and soldiers, Mexican west of I-5 on Hwy. 152, 31426 Gonzaga Road, Three-armed sentinels dot the hills of vaqueros, gold seekers, and bandits. Gustine 95322 (209) 826-1197 Pacheco State Park, providing clean energy Biking — All park trails currently allow for homes across the state. The eastern bicycles and offer beginners and skilled PLEASE REMEMBER riders a challenging and enjoyable ride portion of the park is leased to a commercial • The park’s natural and cultural resources over gentle slopes and steep hills. venture that operates wind power plants are protected by state law and may not Equestrians — Paula Fatjo donated the be removed or disturbed. property to promote a love of horses and of undisturbed land. Scenic equestrian • Firearms and hunting are prohibited in trails wind throughout the park, and several state parks. small ponds provide drinking water for • Except for service animals, dogs are not the horses. Primitive horse camping is allowed on trails or in the park backcountry. available at the day-use area. Advance • Drinking water is not available in the park. reservations are required and can be made by calling (209) 826-1197. WARNING: The western black-legged tick is Special Events/Programs common throughout California and is often Springtime guided walks highlight the park’s found on the tips of grasses and shrubs. fascinating history, and wildflower displays Rattlesnakes and poison oak are also showcase its natural features. Several special present. Help preserve natural features and events, such as Kite Day and Wildflower stay safe. Stay on marked trails and avoid Day, are held annually. See www.parks. contact with vegetation. ca.gov/pacheco for an event schedule. School groups learn about wind energy. SAN JOSÉ 1200 1000 130 Pacheco 800 to Los Baños 33 State Park Lake 5 101 Anderson Henry Coe SP

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1000 Morgan Nella 152 SAN Hill This park is supported in part by: Pacheco SP 600 Gilroy LUIS 152 Fatjo Corporation and Four Rivers1400 Assn. 152 25 San Luis 1600 RESERVOIR For more information about supporting this 1 San Luis Reservoir 800 129 Hollister Reservoir e SRA park or to volunteer, call (209) 826-1197. J ep T SRA ra 1400 il 600 800 San Juan Bautista Fremont

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1000 Luis Creek 1200 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1 Mile 1200 800 Parking 1200 0 1.00.5 1.5 Kilometers 1400 Picnic Area 1400 1200 1400 Restrooms 1600

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