Total Desolation in the Middle of California: Boondocking on the San Andreas Fault in Carrizo Plain

Welcome to Wonderhussy Adventure #489
Date of Adventure: 11/24-11/25/20
Exploring the vast, desolate Carrizo Plain National Monument...right smack in the middle of California, but so deserted you'd never know it! The San Andreas Fault runs right up the middle of this valley, and you can see where the Earth's plates have shifted. A really cool free place to camp!
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wonderhussy, wonder hussy, carrizo plain, carizzo plain, carrizzo plain, carizo plain, free camping california, boondocking, free campsites

[@talkstory-andukulele-trave426]

I'm not sure whether to love you or hate you for posting this. ;-) We live over those hills in the city of Atascadero and travel down there quite frequently on our motorcycles. It's such a great place to get away from people and see Native American artifacts and drawings. In the winter, that area of white fills up with water and tons of birds migrate through. Oh, and tarantulas are amazing! Anyone reading this please stop if you see a tarantula and let it walk over your hand.

[@lancmac]

Go north about 100 mikes, of your Carrizo plain to a place called Mercy Hot springs..... You can see the fault easily in the road alignment.. The road shifts about 2" a year...

[@LuckyBaldwin777]

Another good place is Hollister. The bedrock there is talc like so the fault creeps along without earthquakes.

[@rogerprism8661]

Love how you gesture and point out where things are (like 02:02) as if we were actually there. :) Wonderhussy RULES!

[@InSurrealtime]

The general rule is, if it's called "Lake Something" it's a lake that has an outflow. If it's called "Something Lake" it's a lake with no out flow and may dry up completely at times. With all that fresh salt, that lake clearly fills up pretty often.

[@randini5]

I've seen canoes on that lake

[@CC58]

Would be interesting to tent camp on that fault. You would feel the slightest quake while sleeping. I did that once in the Sierras. I was hugging the ground in my tent and felt a slight jolt and a few seconds later heard a loud pop in the distant mountains. Those hills were alive!

[@delstanley1349]

I did that too, but it turns out it was just a fart!

[@bobbylamb7943]

irl you really do take us to the best places! I love that you are getting to use the drone more. The footage is great! Thank you for all you do!

[@alanwchase7449]

Hey Sarah ,I discovered your channel about a year ago.The quality of your content has just gotten better and better.I'm stuck at home recovering from foot surgery(maybe not bad thing considering the covid).I've been working through your channel and getting a lot of good ideas for places to see .Thanks for the great stuff!

[@gibbygibson8442]

Your getting the hang of that drone. Good work girl. Yeahhhh, I've been Hussified...lol

[@luella2u152]

I read somewhere that the other Soda Lake is an old caldera. Cattle aren't very good at eradicating invasive species of plants. A friend's dad thought he'd eradicate the blackberry vines from a pasture. The cattle did a great job of eating the vines, but the following year there were more vines than ever. They basically fertilized all the little pieces of vine and berry seeds and replanted a much larger crop of blackberries. Maybe some plants wouldn't survive, but others would happily take over...not necessarily native grass species though. Another awesome video, girl. Keep em comin.

[@bmepdoc]

George H.W. Bush and his young family (including young George W. who was 3 years old) once lived in Bakersfield for a short time. George was selling oilfield tools and equipment out of the back of a Studebaker (in which he had various samples), to oil companies which were well established on the Carrizo plain back then. Just a bit of additional trivia.

[@Britcarjunkie]

They even lived in an apartment in Compton, presumably while working the same job. (The apartment building is still there, too!)

[@ducknorris233]

Coincidentally I watch Wunderhussy because I’m pro Bush.

[@milotorres6894]

Nice share of american history 🤗😊...

[@supercarbandit4875]

Damn, that George sr. Was a go getter. Oss, military, vp, dir. CIA, president, oil company owner, Astros. Just proves crime and illuminati pay very well.👍😁👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽

[@ronaldstarkey4336]

One of the only places in California where the state highway is dirt... lol

[@briang70]

I love it when you make videos of California!! Thank you. Next time you're headed to your mom's from Vegas, and if you want to see more of the beauty of the San Andreas fault and rural California, go south in Mojave on 14 and then West on Palmdale Blvd. It quickly turns into Lake Elizabeth Road and you can follow the fault all the way to Three Points where you can pick up 138 West to Interstate 5. I would recommend going through Frazier Park and Pine Mtn. Club if you want to follow the fault all the way to the Carrizo Plain.

[@mackereldude]

One more thing. On Hwy 33 in the town of McKittrick just east of the Carrizo Plain is the Penny Bar. The owner years ago started glueing pennies to everything in the bar. Walls, floors, pool table, you name it.

[@debianderson5138]

It is a beautiful bar he made with pennies a must see wonder Hussey!

[@Greg01071960]

I loved going there years ago. so so cool place. wow thanks for making me remember that and all the fun we had so long ago :)

[@annekramer6740]

Thanks, this brought back good memories of my time car camping here, alone and seeing what you featured.

[@ChefDomenic]

You are a good little talker. First saw you on Bobs vid and we have been watching ever since. Lots of love and happy trails

[@markdemucha8848]

You must have driven down old Highway 166 from south of Bakersfield. I use to work in the little nowhere town of Maricopa California at the intersection of the 166 and the 33

[@12ar34sw]

I love your videos and story telling. Thank you for taking us along on your journey.

[@pixelpeter3883]

Wednesday's here! Wonderhussy time! You're getting better with your quadcopter WH; it adds a great sense of location and vastness by rising up in the air just a bit, which makes yours videos even more compelling. Good job! :-)

[@jfowler7604]

OK....you've sold me on this one. Although I'm a high mountain guy, my normal haunts are or/will be snowbound soon. Along about Feb or so, cabin fever is going to drive me out the door. This is an area I'd like to see. A week, some gas and a stack of new books. That oughta do it...........Thanks WH!!!!

[@tarstakars]

My kids live in Tehachapi ! on your way back, if you go that way, just wave out the window as you go by...

[@ramonrobleza63]

I just want to let you known that I enjoy so much of your blog. The first video that I watch was about the lost Germans. Ever since I got hooked up with your blog. Pls keep posting interesting places. As a matter of fact , be cause of your videos, my wife and me travelled to Death Valley for the first time. Pls keep on blogging because I’m following you. Thank you so much!

[@BIGBADWOOD]

Always great 5 star videos ..... Stay safe !

[@robbh.6505]

Nice production techniques, (intro., drone use, and panning of the open landscape, sign-off). Thanks for taking us along and including some history..

[@gwengarcia2010]

You have inspired me to keep a small lot I have nearby. I bought it last yea planning on camping on it a couple of times a year with my husband as we were traveling between San Francisco and Michigan twice a year, sort of like snowbirds. He passed from Covid in June so I was going to sell it since I won't be going to SanFrancisco in the winter anymore with him gone. After watching this and other of your videos of the area, I may just keep it and camp there as a base. It's between I-14 and 395 north of 58. There is no one around there even though it is in the California City limits. It's actually about 8 miles NE of California City. You are welcome to stay there when you are in the area. If you would like to, let me know and I'll give you the address. There are dirt roads all around and lots of street signs but no development. Message me if you ever want to stay there.

[@rvboondocker2559]

Glad you made those stops. It’s about the journey, not just the destination! Thanks

[@distractedadventures4038]

Cool place! You should go back in the Spring when the Wildflowers are in bloom

[@lynnstervinou2530]

In early spring there’s millions of yellow flowers

[@Kurtwaldheim2]

Have been there after a heavy rain season and the flowers are incredible.

[@robertnielsen2461]

I can tell you that California desert in the spring during the rainy season becomes beautiful .The poppies over the ground in seas of along with the other flowers are stunning. We used go get in the car and go out on the desert just go see the flowers.

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Great amount of info you shared on this incredible place = we camped at KCL Campground a few years back - loved it and loved our exploration of this place!

[@mackereldude]

I’m pretty familiar with the Carrizo Plain. The mountains you see on the east side of the valley are part of the San Andreas Fault. You actually cross over it on Soda Lake Road at its south end near Hwy 166. I’ve seen badgers, Elk, and antelope on the plain. The petroglyphs are only accessible on tours. If you ever want to see amazing wild flowers, go to Carrizo in the spring when California has a rainy year.

[@Kurtwaldheim2]

Been there several times and drove all over looking at old farm equipment and buildings. Neat place

[@karlahernandez5750]

That place has been on my bucket list for years. Maybe next year.

[@Kurtwaldheim2]

Check it out. There are lots of abandoned farm equipment, buildings but you have to do a lot of looking and driving. A really neat place where you can drive all day and never see another car.

[@saltzen961]

Good adventure !! I've seen many aerial photo's and videos , but this is the first time I've ever been there . Thanks for taking us along !!!!

[@fingerstylefan]

Love Carrizo Plains. Depending on seasonal rainfall the lake bed does fill with water, and the superblooms are unreal.

[@jodylangford6684]

Carrizo is my favorite place to boondock on a regular basis. I go there about 20 times a year in all seasons. (Living close helps. :)) The flowers and thunderstorms there are better than Death Valley.

[@kencapulli2103]

Hi Sarah I received your calender today.. You are beautiful! Kudos to your photgrapher. I hope 2021 is better for all of us!

[@DavidHaney1]

Checkout Laguna Mountain not far off of Interstate 5 by Coalinga. Its on a well maintained road between King City and Coalinga and there are 2 FREE campgrounds with spectacular views there, and a great hiking trail to the top of Laguna Mountain.

[@nickcivis]

Great video Ms. Wonderhussy. I received your 2021 Calendar yesterday, it made my day! Thank you!

[@gbmarie836]

You could have taken the turnoff near Chalome and go to Parkfield, one of the most active places along the San Andreas and the Govt' has a lot of sensors around that little settlement. It is a good tourist spot to see, way off in the desolate area of those hills you are going through from Bakersfield over to San Luis Obispo.

[@kylerdad123]

Thank you for the nice outdoor adventure! It was fine seeing the sights! Nice way to get-away from this lock- down! Looking forward to your next adventure! Stay safe and awesome! 🧧🤙🌺

[@billmccabe6188]

Hi Wonderhussy On a road that cuts from the 5 down to the highway 1 before Frisco. I was heading home toward LA and I came across a Tarantula migration. Thousands and thousands of tarantula's migrating to somewhere. You had to run over some tarantulas cause they were thick like locusts. Great sighting. Saw it the one time in my life and no way I could ever forget it. Great memory.

[@elsongs]

I love the Carrizo (pronounced cah-REE-zo) Plain. First went there on a Friday afternoon in 2012 and aside from one RV located across the lake, I had the whole place to myself. Soda Lake does get water during the Winter though, and in fact even during the Summer, if you remove off the layer of salt on the surface, you'll find mud.

[@1custom1234]

Thank you Sara for your time

[@mannybravo237]

..in the 80s my brother had a mexican redlegged tarantula named 'bruce-bruce' after bruce dickenson (iron maiden). Then in the 90's i had a dark brown tarantula named 'spooky fudge' 🕷🕷🕷🕷 Nice tour, WH, nice aerial views 👍🏼👍🏼

[@bbsnowman1026]

Had a tarantula on my work bench last week... They are very cool!

[@lauriebush413]

A friend of mine had one as a pet. Her name was Samantha & she was beautiful! No, I'm not crazy...well, maybe a little! She was gentle & I let her crawl on me. I'd catch crickets for her.😁

[@angelialeal8832]

Beautiful Boondocking! If you are ever in Northern California you should visit the Usal Lost Coast and Eel River.

[@skydiverclassc2031]

She did a video on camping up there.

[@JoeBuiDesertTrippin]

“One more stop!” How often have we said that? Lol another great and informative adventure. Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

[@douggold4611]

Excellent video. Very educational while we still get to enjoy the quirky way you present your very well done videos. Please know that my words are meant to be in the taken best of ways possible. You are a joy!

[@debianderson5138]

You amaze me you go camping by yourself me I'm a chicken heart I guess but love watching how you just jump in your rig and drive! Love all your adventures!

[@quell4812]

Yes...it is definitely worth a trip just for the wildflower bloom.....BTW...this used to be a skydivers paradise

[@israelsarabia2700]

I love your INTRO with your wonderful eyes and Glasses giving us that wink ! Love it!!!

[@inprocessla174]

I was there for the super bloom about a month ago. Beautiful place!

[@DAPICO33]

Congratulations Sarah Jane you won most beautiful Nomad voted on Camo Dave channel!

[@classiclife7204]

I think she has a home in Las Vegas, so, not really a "nomad". I'm sure she'll take it, tho

[@CreoleKitten777]

Now that's the absolute COOLEST place to boondock!!!!

[@jamesparkerson5807]

One recent poster (was it you?) said he wasn't in the middle of nowhere...but he could see it from where he was! Love it!!!!

[@kevinhaley8625]

Rode that on my Harley Road King, bit unnerving on a gravelly road with a passenger, yet nice countryside. At the time I lived just over the hills to the south (Frazier Park) so it was a nice ride there and then north to Taft and a quick loop through Bakersfield before heading home.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I just drove through there a couple weeks ago but in the middle of the night on my way to I5 and then blasted my way home to Wa State. Was exploring Las Vegas the Grand Canyon and Valley of Fire and a short visit to Death Valley among other places.

[@JimForeman]

One morning God called all his assistants in and said, "OK, California just had a big earthquake, who's been messing around?" San Andreas leaped to his feet and shouted, "Hey, it ain't my fault."

[@williamjenkins9]

You are a “Wonder”…. and I agree, that looks really cool…. I love that landscape… I can just imagine cowboys on horseback riding across those grass plains…. I love the information you gather… YOU NEED TO WRITE A BOOK!!!

[@kangaroostew0077]

Hi SJ. Man you sure go to a lot of trouble to show us all the vastness of your country. Always information with some friggin smiles thrown in. How do fit so much in such a cute noggin. Love your style. Old Aussie out

[@DannyShaw3388]

Well, I'm on the San Andreas Fault too on the north end. It has not moved a bit since the 7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. I'm starting to worry. Don't want to see it again.

[@costy0200]

Great video Sara! merry Christmas.

[@FeedScrn]

Interesting vid... You are the only vanlifer person in that area ... and def. the only one showing us all these cool sites.

[@PoM-MoM]

SPRING 2021 PLZ, love wildflowers AND Painted Rock glyphs

[@moonlighter6]

I tend to appreciate the northern most areas of California the most, the Rockies are my favorite for gorgeous scenery though. Dry dusty brown reminds me too much of death, hence the name Death Valley in California.

[@wb8802]

The Carrizo especially invokes the remaining vibes of old California under Spanish and Mexican rule, as felt elsewhere within the Coast Range of central CA. Carrizo (Cah-REE-zoh) is Spanish for reed or cane-maybe because Cattails (Typha sp.) grew in the various canyons, or near Soda Lake (?). Special thanks for covering this lonely yet beautiful despoblado.

[@johnclements6614]

I saw a video the other day about the Soda lake in Nevada. it is Nevada's only active volcano.

[@milotorres6894]

Awesome shares as usual WH super Sarah wondered about that Mercy hot springs in the area be safe young lady...🤗😚😔

[@keithcopeland8245]

Leave it to the hussy to find all the neat places to camp out. I used to live in hemet Ca. Thats near the beginning of the san andres fault it runs right under a damn that holds the water for all of western riverside county. Someday its gonna bust that dam and drown alot of people.

[@wifighostcruiser9665]

Another Wednesday Hussy and I can hardly wait She always shows up right on time, she's never really late She always brings a video Most times it's two or three And when she looks into the lens She's looking right at me When she's done I'm so sad That I can hardly speak But I bravely carry onward Knowing she'll be back next week 😁

[@ericthered760]

@2:52- creating a National Park requires an act of Congress. Yellowstone was the first one so designated. If there is an area that is considered significant and in need of federal protection, the president can sign an executive order designating an area as a "National Monument." Some of these national monuments have later become national parks, depending on the whims of Congress. Either way, the area receives federal protection from development, encroachment, etc.

[@adampolselli597]

Ah, the first Wonderhussy adventure of the day! :)

[@billcar741]

Thousands of tarantulas migrate out by Goodsprings NV, road is covered of them.

[@wiseeyes3990]

Shudder.....🕸🕷at the sight of spiders .

[@thetotcmband411]

Around there was going to be a huge subdivision.....The streets were all put in and even street signs. You can still see stop signs in the middle of the grasses.

[@judywaikiki2450]

Big Mahalo(ty) for all the great adventures you take me on! Aloha from the Big Island of Hawai’i 🌺

[@88billythekid8]

I was like you are when I was your age and thought being in “the middle of nowhere “ was totally were it was at. Now I look back and am not real sure why I thought that way.

[@garyhopkinssr8561]

Hi Sarah you're doing a good job I enjoy your videos just thought I'd let you know I live in a nice wonderful can Canyon on historical ranch completely off the grid right smack dab on top of the San Andreas Fault am I lucky or what haha

[@mokpot]

BLM free camping is ultra rare in CA, thanks for the peek!

[@supercarbandit4875]

Makes, you wonder what there trying to hide. I think the tree hugger thing is more of a cover, for area 51, and s-4 type stuff. LoL👍😁👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽

[@michaelshelton4414]

The Carrizo is a hidden gem! There are abandoned trucks, cars and farm equipment and houses - and you can camp in the San Adreas Fault!

[@mariemorgan7759]

Would be nice if you are able to return in the Spring, love to see all those wildflowers in bloom!🌻

[@tomfrye9037]

Regarding Marlene and her "boss": You got that right. Suicide is nearly as bad for the survivors as it is for the "victim". She was mentally unstable...at least to some extent. And it wasn't her fault. Nobody picks that situation. And he, probably being a lay person, didn't seem to be mentally equipped to deal with the situation...to deescalate/defuse the situation. Nasty deal all the way around. On more cheerful topics, I sure appreciate the trip and the education on Carrizo Plain and the S.A. Fault. We have the New Madrid Fault near me. Some interesting things happen when it took a case of the jitters on a few occasions too. Yeah, the 3rd rock from the sun has its faults, but she's been pretty cool in spite of them.

[@DAPICO33]

Hi Sarah Jane, I received the awesome calendar last week. I showed my 13 year old Grandson n told him I followed u on YT. Well, he asked for it n now in his room, guess he loves u too!

[@SuperPaako]

Nice

[@richwhitaker1506]

Beautiful place to camp Wonderhussy. Thanks for sharing. Great couple of videos on this Wonderhussy Wednesday.

[@johnallen2771]

Reminds me of "Desolation Row" by Bob Dylan. In my recent trip from Red Bluff to Palm Desert I traveled the whole distance with mountains on both sides and desert the whole way. There's really two parts to California, the beach part and the inland part. Everybody pretty much lives on the beach part so the desert part is sparsely populated which means you can still buy cheap land, water it and let it become a paradise. Just off the top of my head the biggest cities inland are Bakersfield, Redding, Fresno, Stockton and Sacramento.

[@johnkirby4290]

Had to come see you. I needed to hear a good story. 👽

[@QuestForDetails]

im up in pope valley area... happy late thanks giving !

[@martharetallick204]

Tarantulas are harmless. I have held one in the palm of my hand.

[@elwoodblues9613]

So did my daughter when she was in 2nd grade. And she was smiling when it was crawling on her, I got the pic to prove it.

[@6spring3]

I so enjoy your explorations! I've been binging on them. Love your energy and love of the land!

[@klouism1]

That is definitely a pretty area. Each place has its own Beauty.

[@susanhelms1553]

Thank you so much wonderhussy for sharing that California has some beautiful and it's awesome and interesting for the fault line here in California I live here in California in Auburn California have fun and be safe sincerely Susie💜

[@Kurtwaldheim2]

Return there again but check out the abandoned farm houses and neat wooden farm equipment. Also some cars and parts of an Alford truck.

[@scootinflh]

Wonderhussy you need to go in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming.

[@AvengerII]

I remember going to California in the late 1980s with my family. Must have been between Jr High and Senior High. Anyhow, I don't remember much from back then other than seeing a HUGE crack in the side of a hill as we were driving up the highway between LA and SF. Definitely a sign of earthquake activity. Now, the cities in California look like something you'd see in a post-apocalyptic movie like Escape from LA, Blade Runner, etc., etc.

[@ronnieterry9275]

Well another wide open space. Take everything with you that you need when you drive thru the area. Cattle grazing? A very sensitive issue. The lake bed looks great.

[@deborah8827]

When i lived near Montezuma Well in AZ, I saw the tarantulas largely at night on the dirt roads. And made a huge effort not to hurt them. Or the camel spiders. They're really good guys. Very peaceful with us. I enjoyed killing the tarantula wasps, though.

[@lauriebush413]

Those tarantula wasps are horrible. They capture the spiders & bury their eggs in them. When the eggs hatch, the spiders die. They're also called tarantula hawks.

[@Hi_Mommy953]

California Condors are cool bird it has a wingspan of 9-foot and it can fly up to God like 10-15 thousand feet looking for its prey crazy huh what a beautiful bird where is about 20 lb I believe it's the biggest bird in the United States awesome Sarah Jane Woodall wonderhussy

[@beowulfvladmax7710]

I hope one day to see you crank out a tandem video with Leila (Naked Traveler/White Witch in a Van) ! Two coolest free spirits on KZbin!

[@kennysherrill6542]

There are many places in the valley that look that beautiful, you just have to get away from the highway. Come to the Tulare, Porterville area, I can take you to many places that have Indian art and carvings. Lots of history here. Love the videos Sarah your the best.🤠🏜🍻🍽🦃

[@davidscheffler8809]

Never been to the fault area, thanks for the video. Take Care and Stay Safe Wonderhussy!!!

[@jackhanna1692]

Hi There Wonderhussy. You are going to make the New Year Sooooo Beautiful. I got your calendar. I like it !!!!!!!! Thank you for being you. Be safe, Godbless an Godspeed

[@SL_BA]

I imagine the night sky was amazing at your campsite.

[@mattblack7876]

That was yet another of your supreme informative videos-gutted no tarantulas but boomdocking rules...

[@millwrightrick1]

I have been enjoying your videos. Can't wait till you can travel to Canada and explore up here.