This mountain range, along with its dramatic eastern neighbor, the Volcan las Tres Vírgenes, and the Sierra Guadalupe form the eastern edge of the Vizcaíno Desert, and provide a link between the tropical components of the southern peninsula and temperate influences of the north. The small amount of scientific documentation that has been performed indicates that a sort of biological mosaic of species from both tropical and temperate climates exists in this area.

Vegetation and Wildlife

The topography and habitats of these mountain ranges are quite varied and provide refugia for species from both north and south. In the past, when sea levels were higher and the surrounding low deserts were under water, these mountain ranges probably provided the only corridor for plant and animal dispersal along the peninsula.

Adding to the appeal of the region, not only can many species' range extensions be found here, but many endemic species are present, and it is presumed that various new species may yet be discovered in this region. During the 1997 Lindblad Binational expedition to this area, San Diego Natural History Museum botanist Jon Rebman took some specimens of a large number of Brahea sp. palms for the Museum. These palms are discussed in the Sierra de San Francisco palm article (coming soon to this website).

The occurrence of some plant species in the area is still a mystery. An example is the Mexican Blue Oak (Quercus oblongifolia), which occurs in the central peninsular mountains, but is disjunct from its main populations in northern Sonora and southeastern Arizona. There are many other unexpected plant distributions from the expedition sites that are helping scientists to understand biogeographical trends.

Human History

Although the Sierra de San Francisco has had little study by biologists, it has long attracted visitors—both academic researchers and awed tourists—wanting to see the dramatic rock art left by indigenous inhabitants of the past.

• Arctostaphylos peninsularis
• Arctostaphylos pringlei
• Brahea brandegeei
• Ceanothus leucodermis
• Quercus oblongifolia