Our Mission The mission of State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and Fremont Peak education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological At the peak, diversity, protecting its most valued natural and State Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities visitors enjoy a for high-quality outdoor recreation. 360-degree view during the day; the night sky provides a visual feast California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who for stargazers. need assistance should contact the park at (831) 623-4526. 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

Fremont Peak State Park San Juan Canyon Road off Hwy. 156 San Juan Bautista, CA 95045 (831) 623-4526 • Observatory: 623-2465 Latitude 36.7602˚ Longitude -121.503˚

© 2002 California State Parks (Rev. 2017) PARK HISTORY Suspicious of Frémont’s motives, Mexican Native People Commandante General José Castro ordered For thousands him to leave the settled areas of California of years, the immediately. Frémont, believing that Ohlone people Castro had previously granted him verbal (also known as permission to remain, refused. Sensing an “Costanoan”) incident was coming, Frémont’s party headed lived in this area. up to a nearby peak, where they built a Ethnographers makeshift fort and raised a U.S. military flag. vary on the Castro, meanwhile, assembled a group of 200 number of native soldiers in nearby San Juan Bautista. people but In Monterey, U.S. Consul Thomas O. Larkin John C. Frémont attempted to intervene in order to avoid a Poison oak leaves turn red in fall. estimate that there were at least 50 villages. Residents of conflict. After several days, Frémont decided these villages spoke different dialects of the to leave his encampment as he undoubtedly Penutian language. realized his precarious position. A powerful windstorm blew down the flagpole and may A t Fremont Peak State Park, spring In 1769 the native people’s lives were and fall are the most colorful seasons. disrupted by the arrival of Spanish have provided Frémont further impetus to Magnificent vistas of and missionaries and soldiers who came to abandon the summit. the Salinas and San Benito valleys are colonize the area and bring the native people During the Mexican-American war, Frémont incomparable from the 3,169-foot peak. into the mission system. The next several led the California Battalion, but in 1847 U.S. Also visible are the Santa Cruz, Diablo, decades saw a drastic decline in the native General Stephen W. Kearny censured him and Gavilan ranges, and the Santa Lucia population due to food shortages, crowded for his “conduct in California.” Frémont was Mountains. On a clear day, one may spot the conditions, and epidemics of diseases to arrested, court-martialed, and found guilty Sierra Nevada Range. At night, constellations which the Ohlone had no immunity. By of mutiny, disobedience, and “conduct to and galaxies not visible in light-polluted city 1850, fewer than ten percent of the Ohlone the prejudice of good order and military skies dazzle the eye. people remained. discipline.” President James K. Polk later The weather here is changeable. Summer Today there are more than 1,600 Ohlone removed the charge of mutiny, and Frémont temperatures can reach 90 degrees during people on tribal membership rolls. By became a U.S. Senator representing the day, and at night they can drop to as low studying records of their spoken dialects, California’s Mariposa area. In 1856, he ran as 50 degrees, depending on the fog layer. several Ohlone groups are reviving their unsuccessfully for president. Winter conditions may include dense fog, traditional languages. As early as 1890, the raising of the flag ice, and occasional snow. by Frémont was celebrated on Fremont The 159-acre park is off State Highway 156, WHY IS IT CALLEd FREmONT PEAK? Peak. The Native Sons and Interior live about 45 miles from San Jose or 11 miles In 1846, while California was still part of Daughters of the oak leaves south of San Juan Bautista. San Juan Canyon Mexico, Army Captain John C. Frémont of Golden West placed Road is paved, but it winds through canyons the Topographic Engineers led a small a commemorative and over ridges; trailers or vehicles over 25 exploratory force to California, arriving in the plaque there in 1926. feet in length are not recommended. in March. While some scholarship places the event on another summit, the brightness of vehicle headlights or Fremont Peak has remained the flashlights limits observation and disrupts place of commemoration. astronomers’ night vision. Visit www.fpoa.net The area becamea state for a program schedule. park in 1936. RECREATION NATuRAL HISTORY Visitors and campers can picnic and watch The northern slopes birds among the pine and oak woodlands of Fremont Peak State or walk along four miles of moderate trails. Park are covered with Drinking water is available at the park. Alligator lizard manzanita, scrub oak, toyon, Twenty-five primitive, oak-shaded and coyote brush. On southern exposures, campsites with views of Monterey Bay have open grasslands turn green in spring and tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. One group Oak trees provided acorns for the Ohlone. golden brown in summer and fall. site holds 50 campers. To make individual Turkey vultures soar above the canyons, or group camping reservations, call as do the hawks that give the Gavilan (800) 444-7275 or visit www.parks.ca.gov. NEARBY STATE PARKS Mountain Range its Spanish name. The trees • San Juan Bautista State Historic Park and brush are alive with birds, including ACCESSIBLE FEATuRES 2nd and Washington Streets, San Juan Bautista (831) 623-4881 / (831) 623-4526 chickadees, finches, hummingbirds, Tent Camping: Campsite 13 in Valley View • Hollister Hills State Vehicular Rec. Area thrushes, and woodpeckers. Visitors may Campground and campsites 17 and 19 in Oak 7800 Cienega Road, Hollister 95023 also see coyotes, snakes, bobcats, raccoons, Point Campground are accessible. Accessible (831) 637-3874 alligator lizards, and foxes. vault restrooms are nearby. There are no THE OBSERvATORY showers. Near the observatory building, one accessible restroom is available and a Light pollution from urban areas can parking spot upon request. A ramp leads to reduce views of the night sky’s wonders. On the observatory. Fremont Peak, however, a coastal marine layer of clouds often masks light from PLEASE REmEmBER lower elevations, permitting a splendid • Operating hours are from 8 a.m. to view of stars and constellations. Volunteer ½ hour after sunset. astronomers began giving evening talks at • Parents are asked to supervise children Fremont Peak in 1986. around the telescopes. Today, visitors can enjoy a short program • Do not touch any part of any telescope, about the current night sky and view its especially glass optical surfaces, unless the starry wonders from the observatory’s telescope’s owner instructs you on proper 30-inch-diameter telescope. Astronomy handling methods. programs take place from April through • To use flashlights, cover the ends with red October on Saturday evenings without a full cellophane held by a rubber band. moon. It is best to arrive before sunset; 2200

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ak e P Parking P Fremont Peak 3169ft Vehicles 967m Restrooms 2400 3100 2900 This park’s astronomy program Only Campground 3000 is supported in part through a 2900 3000 nonprofit organization. Campground: Group

2900 2800 For more information2700 contact: Picnic Area 2800 Broadcasting Towers Fremont Peak Observatory Assn. 2600 Group Picnic Area 2700 Box 1376 2500 Gate San Juan Bautista, CA 95045 0 250 500 750 1000 Feet 2300 2400 Viewpoint 0 75 150 225 300 Meters (831) 623-2465 • www.fpoa.net © 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2017)

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