Grasslands

Species like burrowing owls, jackrabbits, and ground squirrels have adapted to drier uplands habitat. Most areas of the park are planted with grasses that are not mown or irrigated. Many are bunchgrasses, native grasses adapted to this environment. Bunchgrasses once dominated the grasslands of California before being replaced by exotic annual grasses introduced with livestock in the early 1800s. Native grasses planted at this site include purple needle grass, red fescue, blue wild rye, and meadow barley. Saltgrass can be found near the seasonal wetlands.

Wildflowers may be seen following the winter rains. Throughout the spring, flowers bloom with subtle colors. Orange poppies, fiddlenecks, purple lupines, yellow mustards and the pink and white of wild radish brighten the green grasses with color. While some are native, many of the flowers are introduced plants that have become a part of our landscape, after being brought in by early settlers.