Nature
King Range is a steep coastal mountain range on California’s North Coast that forms the heart of the remote Lost Coast. Shaped by its position near the Mendocino Triple Junction, the area is known for frequent earthquakes, rugged topography, forests, streams, and habitat for endangered fish, northern spotted owls, and other wildlife. Historically home to the Mattole and Sinkyone peoples, it later saw logging, fishing, ranching, and tanning, though rough terrain limited development. Plans for State Route 1 were diverted inland in 1936 and 1937, helping preserve California’s longest undeveloped shoreline. Federal protections beginning in 1970 and expanded in 2000 and 2006 secured the range’s distinctive mountains, coast, and offshore features.
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California · United States
