California’s San Andreas Fault

Coast north of San Francisco near San Andres Fault

The San Andreas Fault runs the length of California from  Cape Mendocino to the Salton Sea passing through Point Arena , Point Reyes and San Francisco before moving slightly inland to pass just east of Palo Alto, San Jose and Morgan Hill.  It crosses Hwy. 101 between Hollister and Watsonville.

It extends south along Hwy 25 and bisects the Coastal Range past the Pinnacles National Monument.  This is one of 5 National Parks, Monuments or Recreational Areas it passes through.  The others being Point Reyes National Seashore, Golden Gate Recreational Area, Santa Monica Mts. National Recreational Area and the Joshua Tree National Park.

At the southern end of the central valley it takes a slight easterly turn crosses the mountains and ends just abeam the Salton Sea.

The entire length offers many chances for dramatic aerial photos.