Calabazas Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
Virtual Tour
Calabazas Creek Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Today
Human Influence
Indigenous tribes have long called the areas around Calabazas Creek home, and Calabazas Creek has provided resources for survival, profit, and leisure. The park lies between boundaries of Southern Pomo, Southern Wappo and Coast Miwok and their associated tribes.
With European expansion of colonization into California, ranching on the property began in the late 1800s. Operations included beef cattle, dairy and dry farming, a method of growing crops without irrigation. One of the most famous landowners was Mary Ellen Pleasant. She was born into slavery and later became an entrepreneur, landowner and important figure in the civil rights movement and California Underground Railroad. Pleasant named the property Beltane Ranch.
Calabazas Creek Park and Preserve view from the ridge with wildflowers.
Calabazas Creek: A Year-round Water Source
Calabazas Creek is a source of life for people, animals, and plants. The boundaries of the park run along the boundaries of a watershed, which means all surface water and seasonal streams within the park flow into Calabazas Creek.
The creek provides habitat for sensitive riparian species, including steelhead trout and foothill yellow-legged frogs, and riparian plants provide shelter and food.
Calabazas Creek Park and Preserve view of the Bowl.
Plant Habitats Support Biodiversity
The park contains 20 distinct plant communities, including grasslands, oak woodlands and redwood forest. Special-status plants, including Napa false Indigo, have been documented within the park boundaries.
Calabazas Creek Park and Preserve wildflowers.
A Refuge for Animals
Just as we do, all animals need food, water and shelter to survive. Different ecosystems give different animals what they need. The variety of plant communities provide food and shelter, while year-round Calabazas Creek provides a reliable water source. Wildlife that have been documented on the park include mountain lion, black bear, mule deer, gray fox, skunks and bobcats; as well as special status-species such as peregrine falcons and California giant salamanders.
Calabazas Creek Park and Preserve overview.
Videos taken Spring 2023 by TOPO Collective.