Welcome to Our District: Over 1,100,000 acres of the District are agricultural; of which about 700,000 acres are grazing lands and 400,000 are cropland. In recent years significant increases in grapevine plantings have converted previously undeveloped land and cropland to that use. Livestock production, followed by dry farmed grains and hay remain as major income for large landowners.

The climate of the District is Mediterranean, typically dry summers and wet winters. The average annual rainfall averages from 50 inches in the Santa Lucia Mountains to 8 inches in the Carrizo Plains. Temperature along the coast remains cool in the summer and moderate in the winter; inland summer days are hot with cool nights and winters are temperate. The average relative humidity is low throughout the year.

There are 4 major mountain ranges traversing the District, generally running from the north in a southeasterly direction. The topography ranges from steep, rugged ridges and mountains dropping to rolling hills, stream terraces and gently sloping valley floors. The Salinas River and its tributaries drain approximately 75% of the area. Elevations range from sea level on the coast to 600 feet in the Salinas River Valley to 4,300 feet in the northeast boundary. The large Carrizo Plains Valley, consisting of gently sloping alluvial soils, drains to an inland body of water known as Soda Lake... read more.