Soda Lake

Soda Lake is one of the largest alkaline lakes in California. The lake is located in Carrizo Plain National Monument, which is about 100 miles from Los Angeles. With no natural drainage point the lake evaporates in summer leaving white deposits of sulfates and carbonates.

The Carrizo Plain National Monument is the largest native grassland remaining in California. Three hundred years ago, California’s Central Valley was a vast grassland where antelopes and elk graze, and wildflowers swept the spring. Today, in the development of cities and agriculture, the Carrizo Plain National Historic Site still remains.

Know Before You Go

There are no services that provide water, food, or fuel within Carrizo Plain National Monument. Plan your trip accordingly and ensure you get these items in one of the neighboring communities before you come. Gateway communities lie 15 miles from the south entrance and 60 miles from the north entrance. Also, ensure you bring the appropriate apparel for the time of year you are visiting.

Many roads within the Monument have an unimproved dirt surface and become impassable during periods of rain. The main road, Soda Lake Road, is open year round. However, rains may make parts of Soda Lake Road slippery, muddy, and impassable at times. The Caliente Ridge Road can be especially dangerous when wet and may be closed periodically during periods of heavy rain or snowfall. All roads in the Monument may be periodically closed for safety conditions such as fire hazard, weather, or unsafe conditions. Panorama and Simmler roads often take weeks to dry out after a rain. Even though the other roads in the monument are dry, Panorama and Simmler roads may be impassable—proceed with caution on these roads especially during winter months, and obey all closed road signs.

Expect warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Most rain falls between November and April with occasional snow. Average summer temperatures range from the low 50s°F at night to the upper 90s°F during the day. Daytime temperatures often exceed 100°F, with a record high of 115°F. Average winter temperatures range from highs in the mid 60s to lows in the mid 30s, with a record low of 0°F. The Carrizo Plain receives between 7–10 inches of annual rainfall on the valley floor.