Geology

Wallace Creek Interpretive Trail

San Luis Obispo County, CA

Coordinate verified

Classic San Andreas Fault field site on Carrizo Plain National Monument: an intermittent creek right-laterally offset ~130 m by repeated earthquakes, with a short BLM self-guided interpretive trail and parking area. One of the clearest on-land illustrations of transform-fault offset in California — a staple of geology field trips.

Field facts

RegionSan Luis Obispo County, CA
Coordinates35.2673, -119.8271
FeatureRight-lateral San Andreas offset channel
Offset~130 m cumulative
TrailBLM self-guided interpretive (~0.75–2 mi options)
MonumentCarrizo Plain National Monument

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Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.

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