Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
Encyclopedia
Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is an urban park in San Diego, California
. Stretching approximately 7 miles (11 km), the park encompasses some 4000 acres (16 km²) of both Peñasquitos and Lopez canyons, and is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The preserve is jointly owned and administered by the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego. Operated by the County of San Diego, the home has been restored and tours are available for the public.
or endangered. Los Peñasquitos is also home to the historic Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos
, an adobe home built in the early 1820s.
The geology of the Preserve area has been described by Northrup. Nearby is the Torrey Pines State Reserve
, where one of only two extant stands of the endangered Torrey Pine
is found.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. Stretching approximately 7 miles (11 km), the park encompasses some 4000 acres (16 km²) of both Peñasquitos and Lopez canyons, and is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The preserve is jointly owned and administered by the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego. Operated by the County of San Diego, the home has been restored and tours are available for the public.
Natural history
More than 500 plant species, more than 175 types of birds, and a great variety of reptiles, amphibians and mammals make up the rich bio-diversity of the park. Many of these species are rareRare species
A rare species is a group of organisms that are very uncommon or scarce. This designation may be applied to either a plant or animal taxon, and may be distinct from the term "endangered" or "threatened species" but not "extinct"....
or endangered. Los Peñasquitos is also home to the historic Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos
Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos
Rancho Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos was a Mexican land grant in present day southwestern San Diego County, California given in 1823 to Francisco María Ruiz. The name means "Saint Mary of the Little Cliffs"...
, an adobe home built in the early 1820s.
The geology of the Preserve area has been described by Northrup. Nearby is the Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a coastal state park located in the California community of La Jolla, San Diego, California, off North Torrey Pines Road . Although it is located within San Diego city limits, it remains one of the wildest stretches of land on the Southern California coast...
, where one of only two extant stands of the endangered Torrey Pine
Torrey Pine
The Torrey Pine, Pinus torreyana, is the rarest pine species in the United States, an endangered species growing only in San Diego County and on one of the Channel Islands, endemic to the coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion in the U.S...
is found.
External links
- Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve - City of San Diego website
- Rancho de los Peñasquitos
- Map of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve