Pine Valley Road (Monterey County)

Pine Valley Road is a rural single-lane highway located in the Gabilan Range of southern Monterey County. The roadway originates at the former alignment of US Route 101 along Cattleman Road and extends nine miles north to California State Route 198 in Long Valley. Pine Valley Road appears to have been plotted after the Southern Pacific Railroad was extended through San Ardo during the late 1880s.

Part 1; the history of Pine Valley Road

Pine Valley Road is located in southern Monterey County and is named after a valley of same name. Pine Valley Road originates at the former alignment of US Route 101 on Cattleman Road near the former site of Docas siding. Docas was located between the larger Southern Pacific Railroad sidings of San Lucas and San Ardo.

Both San Lucas and San Ardo were plotted by the Southern Pacific Railroad (now Union Pacific Railroad) in 1886 as siding facilities. San Ardo was originally known as San Bernardo, but the name was changed upon receiving Post Office Service in 1887. Conversely the name of San Lucas was derived from Rancho San Lucas. Both San Lucas and San Ardo can be seen on the 1890 George F. Cram Railroad Map of California.

The 1915 United States Geological Survey map of Priest Valley depicts a primitive road through Pine Valley and Gabilan Range from near Docas between Cattleman Road northeast to the Warthan Canyon Road (future California State Route 198) in Long Valley. Pine Valley Road is shown to pass the site of the Sherman School near the mouth of Brown Canyon.

Part 2; a drive on Pine Valley Road

Northbound Pine Valley Road begins near the site of Docas siding from Cattleman Road.

Pine Valley Road crosses the Union Pacific Railroad in front of a power transformer station.

The entirety of Pine Valley Road is a narrow single lane. The initial couple miles are mostly straight but begins to curve considerably as road rises into the Gabilan Range.

Pine Valley Road continues north through numerous ranching properties to a crest above Long Valley located at approximately 1,281 feet above sea level.

Pine Valley Road descends into Long Valley and terminates at California State Route 198.

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