| Garcia Wilderness | |
|---|---|
| Location | San Luis Obispo County, California |
| Nearest city | Santa Maria, California |
| Coordinates | 35°14′56″N120°18′35″W / 35.24889°N 120.30972°W /35.24889; -120.30972 |
| Area | 14,100 acres (57 km2) |
| Established | 1992 |
| Governing body | US Forest Service andUSDA |
TheGarcia Wilderness is a 14,100-acre (57 km2)wilderness area within theLos Padres National Forest inSan Luis Obispo County, California.
The wilderness was created by the U.S. Congress as part of theLos Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-301). The same legislation also established theChumash, Machesna Mountain,Matilija,Sespe, andSilver Peak Wilderness areas.[2][3] It is named for the mountain it protects, the east-west ridge of Garcia Mountain, a 3,146 ft. peak of theSanta Lucia Range.[4] The area's vegetation includeschaparral andgrasslands to oak forests.
The main river drainages are theSalinas River and theSanta Maria River.
There are two designated campgrounds and three hiking trails, the longest being the 11-mile (18 km) Caldwell Mesa Trail.