2015 Map of Santa Margarita Lake

About this map

Santa Margarita Lake and the winding Salinas River dominate this central California landscape, where the southern reaches of the Diablo Range meet the Los Padres National Forest. The small settlement of Pozo sits at the eastern edge of the map near the Pozo Creek and Salinas River junction, serving as a historic crossroads for the surrounding ranching and mountain country. The terrain is marked by steep canyons and prominent peaks like Garcia Mountain and Hi Mountain, with high-elevation potreros and flats such as Magetti Flats and Vaca Flat providing level ground amidst the ridges. Numerous springs, including Salsipuedes Spring Number One and McNeil Spring, indicate the vital water sources required for life in this arid, high-relief environment. Tracing the old paths like W Pozo Road and Old Rinconada Road reveals the traditional transit network connecting isolated homesteads to the river valley.