Shell Creek Road meadows, California

Coordinates:	35.46434 N 120.33701 W
No:	28        (list of all attractions)
Category:	Ecosystems
Values:	Biology
Rank:	9
Address:	North America, United States, California, San Luis Obispo County, 130 km north-west from Santa Barbara, north from Carrisa highway 58, both sides from Shell Creek Road
Dominating species:	Goldfields (Lasthenia sp.), coastal tidy tip (Layia platyglossa ( Fisch. & C.A.Mey.) A.Gray), baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii Hook. & Arn.), California poppy (Eschscholzia californica Cham.) and others

Shell Creek Road meadows.
Kevin Cole, Flickr / CC BY 2.0

Northern part of Shell Creek Road meadows.
Kevin Cole, Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The diverse and beautiful Shell Creek Road meadows can serve as a teaching ground for learning the Californian wildflowers. This area is not a part of the barren arid grassland of nearby Carrizo Plain or lush forests of Los Padres National Forest. Undulating hills with occasional groups of trees and gallery forest along Shell Creek form a lively landscape. Further towards the north the valley becomes more arid and devoid of trees - but still is rich with spring wildflowers.

In spring, in late February - April Shell Creek Road becomes an important destination for wildflower enthusiasts and especially - for photographers. Diverse scenery and diversity of plants provide plenty of excellent views.

Floral display for most time is excellent, although there are less impressive years such as 2009. But even in 2009 Shell Creek Road still was well worth coming.

River got its name from fossils - ancient shells.