Reserve Facts

Big Creek Reserve

Topography:
Rugged coastal mountains. The exposed shore- line consists of small beaches interspersed with boulder fields and is bordered by vertical cliffs  200-300 ft. high. Narrow ridges wind from the  coastal headlands to the Santa Lucia crest, separating deep V-shaped canyons with walls  that rise steeply out from streamside terraces.

Latitude: 
36 degrees 1' 30" N to 36 degrees 5' 50" N

Longitude: 
121 degrees 31' 26" W to 121 degrees 37' 3" W

Precipitation:
Estimated annual means range from 39 in. at the coast to 82 in. along upper ridges.

Facilities:
Three campgounds, research cabin, small laboratory/library, limited parking for cars and buses, ocean  access for small boats.

Database:
Synoptic collections of plants, animals and archaeological artifacts, aerial and  ground-based photographs, published surveys of Reserve resources, computerized climate-monitoring station.