| Fremont Peak State Park | |
|---|---|
Sunset view from Fremont Peak State Park | |
| Location | Gabilan Range, Monterey County,San Benito County California |
| Nearest city | San Juan Bautista, California |
| Coordinates | 36°45′36″N121°30′6″W / 36.76000°N 121.50167°W /36.76000; -121.50167 |
| Area | 162 acres (66 ha) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Governing body | California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Fremont Peak State Park is aCalifornia State Park located inMonterey County andSan Benito County, California. The park encompasses the summit of 3,173-foot (967 m)Fremont Peak in theGabilan Range.
The park features expansive views ofMonterey Bay andPacific Ocean from its hiking trails. Other vistas include the San Benito Valley,Salinas Valley, and theSanta Lucia Mountains east ofBig Sur. The 162-acre (66 ha) park was established in 1934.[1] The land was donated by Rollin Reeves, owner ofRancho Cienega del Gabilán.[2]
Pine andCalifornia oak woodlands, of theCalifornia chaparral and woodlandsecoregion, cover much of the park and are home to many birds and mammals.
Fremont Peak State Park has hiking trails, picnic facilities and 22 campsites (both tent and RV). Fremont Peak Day is held every April, and features a picnic and other activities.
TheFremont Peak Observatory opened in 1986, and has operated every summer since, despite having battled the frequently brutal mountaintop weather. The astronomical observatory has a 30-inch (760 mm)telescope.
Fremont Peak State Park was one of the 48California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by GovernorArnold Schwarzenegger as part of a deficit reduction program.[3] The closures were ultimately avoided by cutting hours and maintenance system-wide.[4]
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