How to get to Clear Creek

The Clear Creek Management Area is located near the southeast corner of San Benito County. Visitors get to the Clear Creek Management Area by choosing one of the following routes to drive:

From King City via Bitterwater

From King City take the Bitterwater road north 15 miles to Highway 25. Turn left At the intersection and continue north for another 2 miles until you reach the junction of Highway 25 and Coalinga Road. Turn right onto Coalinga Road. Continue with the directions for "Bitterwater to Clear Creek."

From Hollister via Bitterwater

You reach Joaquín Rocks by traveling highway 25 between Hollister and Bitterwater. We catch Coalinga road about 38 miles south of Hollister. Highway 25 take a sharp right turn, Coalinga Road goes straight. Continue with the directions for "Bitterwater to Clear Creek."

From Hollister via Idria

To make the trip via Idria, we leave Hollister by traveling highway 25 to Paicines (about 10.5 miles). Turn left (southeast) on Panoche Road and continue for 31 miles until you come to New Idria Road. Follow New Idria Road for 21 miles until you arrive at the old ghost town of New Idria. Drive through the town an follow Clear Creek Road up the hill (there is no sign). Travel about 3 miles and you'll find youself in the Clear Creek Management Area..

Bitterwater to Clear Creek

The Highway 25 - Coalinga Road junction is at the northwestern end of Bitterwater valley. This photo is taken from on Highway 25 as we are coming from Hollister. Coalinga Road is directly in front of us.

(N36° 24.449; W120° 59.595)

We travel Coalinga Road for about 16 miles until we come to the Clear Creek Management Area.

From Coalinga

From Interstate 5 take Highway 198 towards Coalinga. Turn right on Gale Road, then turn right on Derrick Road. Turn left on Los Gatos Creek road and go about 30 miles until you see the BLM sign and kiosk for Clear Creek; You will also see the Raymond Eade Memorial. Cross the river and turn right onto Clear Creek Road.

Clear Creek Management Area