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US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region
A diverse landscape awaits
From the tallest mountains to the rolling sea, adventure awaits! The National Forests in California are home to such unique scenic areas as Mt. Shasta, Lake Tahoe, Mt. Whitney, and the Big Sur coast.
Welcome to the Pacific Southwest! The Pacific Southwest Region of the US Forest Service manages 20 million acres of National Forest land in California and assists the State and Private forest landowners in California, Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. Eighteen national forests are located in this region, in the North Coast, Cascade, and Sierra Nevada ranges and from Big Sur to the Mexican border in the south Coast range. Watch a video to find out more about who we are and the work we do.
Regional Office lobby will be closed to the public until further notice due to construction
Please visit our Contact Us page if you need any services during this time
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Virtual Services
Visit our Recreation Site Status Map and FAQ's for answers to many common visitor questions. If you need assistance or have any questions, please use our contact us form. Versión en Español: Visite el Mapa de Estado Actual de Sitios de Recreación y Preguntas Frecuentes del visitante. Si necesita atención, por favor use nuestro formulario de contacto (inglés únicamente).
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Featured Programs
Region 5 employees work on a wide variety of innovative programs such as these, below.
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Popular Topics
This is a list featuring topics that visitors ask about the most.
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Confronting the Wildfire Crisis
USDA Forest Service announces additional landscapes to address wildfire risk to infrastructure and communities.
Features
Forest Focus: Audio Podcast
Forest Focus is a program about the National Forests in California, featuring specialists that work for the U.S. Forest Service and others who provide viewpoints on Forest Service issues.
California Forest News Video Series
In California Forest News we explore the National Forests in California. In the first episode, ‘California Fire Intensity,’ we examine the combination of factors that exacerbate wildfire intensity and behavior including fuel, wind, terrain, and drought. Thanks for watching!
Spotlights
An Aerial Eye on the Forest
Spotlight featuring photos and video of the Forest Service using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)
The Grassroots of Our Urban Forests
Imagine your neighborhood... whether a big or small town. The trees, vegetation and green spaces are likely a part of the picture. But they probably aren't the focus.
Researching visitation dynamics in Southern California national forests
Forest Service social science analysts are researching how record-breaking visitation is affecting people’s ability to access and enjoy their national forests in Southern California.
Tahoe Basin: A Forest’s Past and Future
The Forest Service’s Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The land and the people who have experienced it have many stories to tell.