Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area: Upper Ranch

Ecosystem Overview

The Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area: Upper Ranch ecosystem supports 79 documented wildlife species across 70 taxonomic genera. Located in San Benito County, California, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 16 frequently observed species and 15 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby San Benito County, Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area: Upper Ranch hosts 1% more species diversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

vs. San Benito County

+1% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 79 total documented species.

Pholistoma auritum

Very Common1.52 obs.

Bellardia trixago

Mediterranean Lineseed

Very Common1.02 obs.

Pedicularis densiflora

Indian Warrior

Very Common1 obs.

Castilleja exserta

Purple Owl-Clover

Very Common1 obs.

Eschscholzia caespitosa

Tufted California-Poppy

Very Common1 obs.

Clematis lasiantha

Common1 obs.

Gilia achilleifolia

California Gilia

Common1 obs.

Phacelia ramosissima

Branching Phacelia

Common1 obs.

Trifolium hirtum

Rose Clover

Common1 obs.

Sisyrinchium bellum

Common1 obs.

Lupinus hirsutissimus

Common1 obs.

Baccharis pilularis

Coyotebrush

Occasional1 obs.

Solanum umbelliferum

Occasional1 obs.

Scutellaria tuberosa

Occasional1 obs.

Ribes malvaceum

Chaparral Currant

Occasional1 obs.

Malacothamnus aboriginum

Indian Valley Bush-Mallow

Occasional1 obs.

Castilleja affinis

Occasional1 obs.

Ceanothus oliganthus

Rare1 obs.

Cercocarpus betuloides

Rare1 obs.

Fritillaria affinis

Ojai Fritillary

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area: Upper Ranch. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+3%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Benito County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Benito County

Importance: 0.80

78 species

+1% vs. current

Ridgemark

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-1% vs. current

Hollister

Importance: 0.70

78 species

+1% vs. current

Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

Importance: 0.70

77 species

+3% vs. current

San Juan Bautista

Importance: 0.70

68 species

+16% vs. current

Rancho Larios Open Space

Importance: 0.60

80 species

-1% vs. current

San Justo Reservoir

Importance: 0.60

80 species

-1% vs. current

Ridgemark Golf & Country Club

in Hollister

Importance: 0.60

77 species

+3% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within San Benito County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+3%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in San Benito County County, California

Nearby Natural Areas

San Benito County

Importance: 0.80

78 species

+1% vs. current

Ridgemark

Importance: 0.70

80 species

-1% vs. current

Hollister

Importance: 0.70

78 species

+1% vs. current

Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area

Importance: 0.70

77 species

+3% vs. current

San Juan Bautista

Importance: 0.70

68 species

+16% vs. current

Rancho Larios Open Space

Importance: 0.60

80 species

-1% vs. current

San Justo Reservoir

Importance: 0.60

80 species

-1% vs. current

Ridgemark Golf & Country Club

in Hollister

Importance: 0.60

77 species

+3% vs. current

About This Comparison

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 79 total documented species.

Pholistoma auritum

Very Common1.52 obs.

Bellardia trixago

Mediterranean Lineseed

Very Common1.02 obs.

Pedicularis densiflora

Indian Warrior

Very Common1 obs.

Castilleja exserta

Purple Owl-Clover

Very Common1 obs.

Eschscholzia caespitosa

Tufted California-Poppy

Very Common1 obs.

Clematis lasiantha

Common1 obs.

Gilia achilleifolia

California Gilia

Common1 obs.

Phacelia ramosissima

Branching Phacelia

Common1 obs.

Trifolium hirtum

Rose Clover

Common1 obs.

Sisyrinchium bellum

Common1 obs.

Lupinus hirsutissimus

Common1 obs.

Baccharis pilularis

Coyotebrush

Occasional1 obs.

Solanum umbelliferum

Occasional1 obs.

Scutellaria tuberosa

Occasional1 obs.

Ribes malvaceum

Chaparral Currant

Occasional1 obs.

Malacothamnus aboriginum

Indian Valley Bush-Mallow

Occasional1 obs.

Castilleja affinis

Occasional1 obs.

Ceanothus oliganthus

Rare1 obs.

Cercocarpus betuloides

Rare1 obs.

Fritillaria affinis

Ojai Fritillary

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 79 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Species Distribution

Very Common16 species

Common24 species

Occasional24 species

Rare15 species

Regional Context

vs. San Benito County

+1% species diversity