Pinnacles National Monument is truly one of the gems of San
Benito County. We hope local residents will take the time this
spring and summer to visit this historic landmark, learn about
nature and enjoy the park’s stunning vistas.
Pinnacles National Monument is truly one of the gems of San Benito County. We hope local residents will take the time this spring and summer to visit this historic landmark, learn about nature and enjoy the park’s stunning vistas.
Pinnacles is an underutilized resource and more should be done to highlight this important park.
Pinnacles National Monument’s 24,000 acres of volcanic rock formations, talus caves and cultural landscapes draw more than 170,000 visitors to our county each year. Alongside Mission San Juan Bautista, Hollister Hills, Fremont Peak and the Fourth of July motorcycle rally, Pinnacles is vital to our county’s tourism economy.
In order for Pinnacles to remain a draw for tourists as well as a feather in the proverbial cap of San Benito County, the community must work together with park officials in planning for the future of this gem.
We hope locals will take the opportunity to get to know this local gem. Pinnacles is home to the rare California condor, a large bat population and dozens of varieties of wildflowers. Pinnacles is an unadulterated example of beauty.
The park, established 99 years ago by President Theodore Roosevelt, embodies all that is right and true in the character of San Benito County.
In many ways, Pinnacles is a monument to the rugged, hardworking community spirit of our county.
In addition to offering natural resources, Pinnacles National Monument is also home to much of our county’s cultural and anthropological history – from prehistoric times on.
Yet, too often we take this great natural resource for granted. San Benito County must take pains, as a community, to make sure the park’s scientific, historical and educational resources are protected, preserved and open to the public for centuries to come.
This will require a commitment, not just from local residents, but from federal officials. Our county government should work with park officials, federal lawmakers, regional organizations and others to not only preserve this great asset, but also to expand and improve it continually. At the same time, we hope park staff continue to promote the park’s great features and attractions.
As Pinnacles National Monument begins looking at general management plans for the next century this spring, we expect local residents from all walks of life will take time to offer suggestions, tips and improvements to park officials.
Pinnacles National Monument is a resource we all share. In order to plan for the next 100 years at Pinnacles, the community must work together.
