Carrizo Plain, Springtime

This is a fantastic drive through the Carrizo Plain National Monument. An easy day trip if you are an Angelino. I discovered this in April and everything was green, green, green with lots of wildflowers after the winter rains--definitely a great time to visit! I absolutely fell in love with this place--lots to explore. Fun fact: the San Andreas Fault bisects this valley. So cool! Check out "Soda Lake", a large, alkaline lake in the northwest section. This is an easy drive if you stay on the main route, this video shows a few adventurous side trips I took. You certainly don't need four wheel drive but it helps if you have a little extra ground clearance at times due to ruts in the road. The trail surface is hard packed sand. If you take the numerous side trails, you will want the confidence that comes with A/T tires, AWD and extra clearance. Plenty of fun side places to explore and have lunch. Distance to Trailhead from Los Angeles: 2 hours. Bring snacks. Trail Distance: Varies between 10 and 50+ miles depending on chosen route. Road Type: Hard-pack dirt & sandy sections. Side trails can be rutted with rocky sections. Passenger Car OK? Mostly...if you stay on the main trail. Can my Civic make it? Sure...stay on the main trail. Waypoint to Trailhead: https://goo.gl/maps/M65m5EEXEdjf2vmo7 Notes: An amazing drive during Wildflower Superblooms! More Info: https://www.blm.gov/visit/carrizo-plain-national-monument Soda Lake: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soda_Lake_(San_Luis_Obispo_County)