The surreal towering spires and uplifted rocks of Pinnacles National Monument, surrounded by rolling chaparral-covered hills, are what's left of the Miocene-era Neenach Volcano which originated 195 miles to the southeast, straddles the San Andreas Fault and continues moving slowly North.

Erosion helps create the monoliths and crags of Pinnacles National Monument. The park's west entrance is 14 miles from the town of Soledad in Monterey County.