California · Camping

Ponderosa

Jan–Dec
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 10 h ago

Is Ponderosa open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Monterey Ranger District. It doesn't name Ponderosa, so check the source for the area it covers.

Monterey Ranger District Emergency Closure Order with Exceptions
Agency closure covering Monterey Ranger District · Order 05-07-51-26-11 · USFS · Monterey Ranger District
Los Padres Fire Use and Firearm Restrictions
Agency alert covering Los Padres National Forest · Order 05-07-00-26-05 · USFS · Los Padres National Forest
San Carpoforo Beach Prohibition of Overnight Camping and Campfires
Agency alert covering Monterey Ranger District · Order 05-07-51-26-03 · USFS · Monterey Ranger District
Santa Barbara Front Country Fire Use Restrictions
Agency alert covering Los Padres National Forest · Order 05-07-5406-01 · USFS · Los Padres National Forest

As of Nov 9, 8:05 PM PST · Source: USFS · Monterey Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

At 1,600 ft
Monterey Ranger DistrictLos Padres National Forest

Ponderosa is a Forest Service campground in the Monterey Ranger District of Los Padres National Forest in California. The land is managed by the Forest Service, and the site charges a fee for recreation. Late summer into early fall is the driest and warmest stretch. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Hearst Castle show September highs around 78°F with lows near 60°F and almost no wet days, while winter brings highs near 60°F and about eight wet days a month. The closest outing is the Slick Rock hike, about 0.3 miles away. Within roughly six miles you'll also find the San Antonio and Mill Creek hikes and the Wagon Caves climbing area.

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Also worth it near here
- San AntonioHiking · ~9 min drivePhoto: Demi Lucas, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Wagon CavesRock climbing · ~10 min drivePhoto: Bob n Renee, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Mill Creek Picnic AreaBeach · ~11 min drive
Best time to visit Ponderosa
Best months: Year-round. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
1. Jan
  60° / 47°
  8 wet
2. Feb
  60° / 45°
  8 wet
3. Mar
  62° / 47°
  8 wet
4. Apr
  65° / 47°
  5 wet
5. May
  69° / 52°
  2 wet
6. Jun
  73° / 55°
  1 wet
7. Jul
  75° / 57°
  0 wet
8. Aug
  77° / 58°
  0 wet
9. Sep
  78° / 60°
  1 wet
10. Oct
  74° / 56°
  3 wet
11. Nov
  66° / 50°
  5 wet
12. Dec
  59° / 46°
  8 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Hearst Castle, CA, 24.7 mi away at 1,526 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.