State Parks and National Parks

The Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge serves as a traditional feeding area for the endangered California condor. The refuge is not open to the general public.

To view condors, visitors must first call the refuge at 805-644-5185 to find the location of condors.

The 2,471-acre habitat consists of rugged mountains, rocky outcroppings, chaparral, hardwood groves, stands of big-cone Douglas fir and open grasslands.

Nature organizations or groups affiliated with universities are welcome to contact the refuge for information.

Individuals wishing to observe California condors in the wild are also encouraged to visit nearby Los Padres National Forest where the birds tend to spend much of their time.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.