Nature

Oak woodlands in the monument and view of distant mountains

NPS

The Natural Landscape of César E. Chávez National Monument

Beyond the visitor center, which shares the story of the farmworker movement, and the peaceful Memorial Garden where César E. Chávez and his wife Helen are buried, the monument is surrounded by a serene natural landscape of grasslands and blue oak woodlands. Most of the monument's 117 acres is composed of gently sloping hills dotted with gnarled blue oaks, offering expansive views of the surrounding mountains. This landscape adds to the sense of peace and refuge that both residents and visitors experience here.

The monument, also known as Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace) or simply La Paz, served as Chávez’s personal sanctuary. Early each morning, he would hike to the top of a hill to meditate under oak trees and foothill pines, reflecting on his work while taking in views of the surrounding mountains.

Located in the Tehachapi Pass of the Tehachapi Mountains, this area forms a natural divide between California’s Central Valley to the northwest and the Mojave Desert to the southeast. Tehachapi Creek flows to the southwest of the site, with a central hill rising gradually to about 3,000 feet. Most of the monument itself sits at an elevation of around 2,600 feet.

Explore the links below to learn more about the animals and plants that inhabit this unique landscape and contribute to the monument's tranquil atmosphere.