San Mateo Creek and San Onofre State Beach is home to eleven endangered species.  We have provided a few links to other websites that have some good descriptions and excellent photos since we don't have any photos of our own.  Pacific Pocket Mouse http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/Pacific_pocket_mouse/ http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=MA0497 Southern Steelhead Trout http://www.naparcd.org/steelheadtrout.htm http://www.rain.org/~audubon/sbassteelhead.html Least Bell’s Vireo http://www.sweetwater.org/habitat/least_bells_vireo.html http://www.audubon2.org/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=24 California Gnatcatcher http://www.sweetwater.org/habitat/gnatcatcher.html Southwestern Willow Flycatcher http://www.sweetwater.org/habitat/flycatcher.html California Redlegged Frog http://www.californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/r.draytonii.html Arroyo Southwestern Toad http://www.sweetwater.org/habitat/arroyo_toad.html Tidewater Goby http://edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=129  San Diego Fairy Shrimp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anostraca Riverside Fairy Shrimp http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/Riverside_fairy_shrimp/index.html Snowy Plover http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snowy_Plover.html San Onofre State Beach is also habitat of a rare California Native Plant, the Thread-leaved Brodiaea, the calphotos website has some really nice pics: http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?stat=BROWSE&query_src=photos_flora_com&where-genre=Plant&where-namesoup=Thread-leaved+Brodiaea&rel-namesoup=matchphrase&title_tag=Thread-leaved+Brodiaea The toll road (if constructed) would harm or wipe out this already threatened plant and wildlife in the San O area in my opinion and there is overwhelming scientific evidence this is correct.  See my Take Action page to see how you could help...

Rattlesnake -- click photo to enlarge Photo by Phil Culshaw The rattlesnake in the photo above was found by a group of campers in San Mateo Campground the weekend of June 28th/29th, 2008.  This snake was by the bathrooms near camp spot #107.  I believe this is a "western" rattlesnake.  Special thanks for the use of this photo! In addition to endangered species a number of other wildlife can be found here.  Use caution, rattlesnakes are thoughout San Onofre.  Ran across one in San Mateo Creek Preserve on the paved path between Old Highway 101 and Trestles Beach just recently.  Locals say rattlesnakes often will lay on the paved path in the late afternoons, they like the heat from the pavement.  Deer can be found in San Mateo Creek preserve.  Earlier this year I saw a Bald Eagle near San Mateo Campground.  Hawks, rabbits, squirrels, a number of birds, snakes, lizards and even mountain lions are known to be in this area.  Literally just about anything with the exception of bears are in the San Onofre State Beach and San Mateo Creek area.  Many photo opportunities here!