This 750 mile gash is the boundary between two great pieces of the earth’s crust.  California’s mountains, deserts, coastal plains and cities have all been shaped by this geological wonder; its active presence has been literally “felt” by almost all Californians.  We will explore the mysterious and fascinating San Andreas Fault during this 4-day field adventures, highlighting both geo- and bio-wonders of the dynamic fault zone.

Our field staff will lead small group exploration of the fault zone, as we travel some of California’s most beautiful landscapes north through Central California and returning along the Big Sur coast.

Day One  - Morro Bay Area.   We welcome and meet our group at Avila Beach to walk  ancient deep-ocean floor rock, uplifted miles by subduction and polished by waves.   Then we’re on to Morro Rock and Montana de Oro State Park, before establishing our first night’s camp at Morro Bay State Park. 

Day Two – Parkfield/Pinnacles National Monument.  We travel through Paso Robles to visit Parkfield, a sweet California ranch town and site of the famed long-term “San Andreas Earthquake Experiments”.   We’ll also study the oddly colored "Franciscan" rocks and their distinct bio-geography, and follow the fault north, camping at remote East Pinnacles National Monument.  There will be time for hiking in the Pinnacles, and to see rocks that used to lie 200 miles south, in the Mojave desert, as well as learning about the local California Condor population. 

Day Three – Hollister/Pt. Lobos/Big Sur.  Near old town Hollister, we’ll watch a winery being literally torn apart by the fault, as well as seeing places where faults are deforming other  overlying “human constructions”.  Returning to the coast we will spend a few hours exploring Point Lobos, with its exotic geological and biological stories, otters and active sea lion colony, and awesomely beautiful scenery.  We spend our last night among the deep redwood canyons of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. 

Day Four – Big Sur Coast.  After enjoying short hikes along the Big Sur coast, we’ll stop at the elephant seal colony near San Simeon for a private tour and up-close look at these amazing, outrageous animals.

Our group size will be limited to 15.  $175 trip cost includes developed reserved campsites and dinners each night, breakfast set-up, park admissions and instructors.  Motel accommodations are available near each campground.

Staff:  Our field staff will be led by Dr. Tanya Atwater, emeritus professor of geology at UCSB, and one of the earliest proponents of the role of plate tectonics in the geological evolution of western North America.  Additional field biologists and ornithologists will join the group along the way.