Geography and Climate
Pinnacles NM lies about 40 miles (64 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean and about 80 miles (130 km) south of the San Francisco Bay Area. The monument is in the southern portion of the Gabilan Range, part of California's Coast Ranges.
Elevation within the boundaries range from 824 feet (251 m) to 3,304 feet (1,007 m) at the peak of North Chalone Peak.
The climate is Mediterranean, typical on the Southern and Central California coast. The Santa Lucia Mountains lie between the Monument and Pacific Ocean, blocking much of the moderating influence of the Ocean. In comparison to the nearby coast, temperatures have a daily larger range that can be 50 °F to 100 °F (10 °C to 38 °C). The average rainfall is about 16 inches (410 mm) per year. Snow can fall in small amounts at higher elevations between mid-December and January.
The National Weather Service has a cooperative weather station at the park headquarters. Average January temperatures are a maximum of 60.8 °F (16.0 °C) and a minimum of 32.8 °F (0.4 °C). Average July temperatures are a maximum of 95.5 °F (35.3 °C) and a minimum of 50.3 °F (10.2 °C). The record high temperature was 116 °F (47 °C) on July 15, 1972. The record low temperature was 10 °F (−12 °C) on January 2, 1960, and December 22, 1990. Average annual precipitation is 16.55 inches (420 mm). The wettest year was 1983 with 35.80 inches (909 mm) and the driest year was 1947 with 6.08 inches (154 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 10.56 inches (268 mm) in March 1983. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 4.74 inches (120 mm) on February 3, 1998. The most snowfall in one month was 7.0 inches (180 mm) in January 1962.
The monument lies within the California interior chaparral and woodlands ecoregion. The vegetation is about 80% chaparral with woodlands, riparian and grasslands merged into the chaparral. The diversity of intersecting ecosystems and altitude has led to great number of animal species that call the Monument home.
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