Because San Juan inn is located near the coast and near several ecosystems that possess unique contrasting characteristics, you will observe and experience some interesting hydrological features in this area. These features contribute to making the San Juan Valley, of which we are a part of, one of the richest agricultural areas in the world. The other two are in China and Brazil. The San Juan Valley was once a huge lake that fed Elkhorn Slough which is geographically located at the center of the Monterey Peninsula. Elkhorn Slough is abut 15 to 20 minutes west of San Juan Bautista.

Even from walking distance of the San Juan Inn, one can observe the rich San Juan Valley where surprising things may happen on your first encounter; like observing ducks within the waterways in this area or discovering a group of Egrets patiently seeking small fish in the canals that flow throughout the valley. These Egrets are usually spread out throughout the San Juan Valley near small lakes or canals and usually shy away if you approach them . You can easily observe part of this valley right behind the mission located near downtown San Juan Bautista.

You will also observe different species of hawks, falcons and eagles in this valley as well within the vicinity around the San Juan Inn. Just as the sun begins to set, several areas within the valley are active with colonies of bats hovering around the few rural highways behind the mission. It is an interesting experience if you happen to ride bicycle through these areas and observe the bats as they closely hover around you devouring insects that are so prevalent because of the great diversity of wild plant life and fruit/vegetable lots in the San Juan Valley.

According to an article in the well respected newspaper “ The Pinnacle”, there are few remaining areas in the world where rare plant and animal species exists that are endemic to those few places. About 37 corridors are identified throughout areas in the world where very low population and large open wilderness areas exist that contain species endemic to those areas which are not found anywhere else in the world. Such areas are very remote in character. California is one of those corridors but what is of greater interest is that the most important area of the California corridor where this is the most notable is right here in San Benito country of which San Juan Bautista belongs to because of its remoteness, extreme variations in topography and micro climates the south eastern portion of the San Benito country contains very peculiar plants, insects, and animals.

It has historically remained remote with very few families residing in this area for various reasons such as ranching, mining and even viticulture (the oldest continuing winery in California is found in this part of the country). One interesting fact about this region concerning viticulture is that there are particular regions within this corridor which are considered to be part of the world’s very important prime wine growing areas. In the article from the Pinnacle, major factor for such rare corridors is attributed to the continuing low population level of people thus contributing to the least amount of disturbance to eco-systems. Here in San Benito the low population level is the main reason why you can enjoy such qualities of this country that make San Benito so rare in its geography and other features.

San Juan Bautista is near the center of the Monterey pennisula and only 15 minutes away from the coast; but the Gavilan mountain range acts as buffer to only allow some of the coastal fog usually seen in our town.

These and other geographical features give the town its unique micro climate that no other town nearby possess

State Historic Park - Located to the east of downtown, it comprises many historical buildings and features of which the Mission (built by members of the Amah Mutsun; but later members of different tribes from other regions were forced off from their original lands to build the mission; thus homogenizing extremely diverse languages and cultures that were once part of the most diverse society in Northern California. In actuality more diverse than in any other part of the world at time! - forever ending the most richest variety of language and cultures that ever existed and even more distinct in diversity than in Europe and Asia) the most recognized landmark with part of the original Camino Real directly behind it. It is here where an important portion of the classic movie ‘Vertigo’, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, was filmed. Behind the tiny town are some of the most beautiful rural road that can be best enjoyed riding a cyclocross bike or road bike since the roads are almost perfectly level. The few but scenic road takes you through the various orchards and the agricultural lands throughout the San Juan Valley - considered to be one of the three world’s richest agricultural valleys. The view of the town and the surrounding topography from these roads are really extraordinary. You appreciate the San Juan Valley even more as you ride through the valley’s agricultural fields of different colors and shades and you notice the various aromas from the orchards and plant life. Just as the sun begins setting, you may enjoy an experience while riding through one of the roads and that is closely observing bats hovering in droves over the road and fields.

Fremont State Park - Located behind the San Juan Inn and up the San Juan Canyon, this park features camping and picnic tables. But the best features is hiking to Fremont Peak where sweeping views of the entire Peninsula, the Ekhorn Slough and crashing waves from Moss Landing and Marina Beaches can be observed. Fremont Peak is where the American Flag was first flown before California was part of the U.S. An observatory also resides in Fremont Park where the public has free access to the telescope.

This park is also frequented by bicyclists throughout the week as they begin from near the San Juan Inn and enjoy challenging and incredibly beautiful ride up the San Juan Canyon to their final destination - Fremont State Peak.

DeAnza Trail - This stunningly beautiful trail has great historical significance since it brought the Spanish to this area in the 1770s and was already here before the Camino real; enjoyed and used by the many ethnicities among Native Americans thousands of year before the Spanish explored the area. It is an excellent biking and hiking trail that takes the adventurer into incredibly beautiful ecosystems throughout the trail.

Deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, black bears, skunks, mountain lions, foxes, lynxes, several kinds of raptors and other animals are prevalent on the DeAnza Trail. Half way into the trail as you climb high into the hills one can observe part of the coast as you enter a beautiful valley where several green belts prevail and a diversity of flora fauna exists similar to that found in the inland areas of Big Sur.

Once you bike or hike up into the highest area of the DeAnza Trail, you will observe below you primitive and exquisitely beautiful valley where you begin to appreciate some of the features that contribute to the near perfect air quality and climate of San Jaun Bautista. You can feel the coastal breeze traveling through the current passing up this corridor as it then travels past you and then down into the town thus delivering an abundance of negative ions responsible for the air quality admired by those who appreciate San Juan’s air quality.