What mountain range is located to the west of Hollister, California?

The mountain range located west of Hollister, California, is the Gabilan Range.

The Gabilan Range forms the western and southwestern edge of the Hollister Valley, while the Diablo Range lies primarily to the east. The range follows a northwest-southeast course through Monterey and San Benito counties and is part of California’s Coast Ranges.

Its name comes from the Spanish word gavilán, meaning “sparrow hawk,” a reference to hawks common in the area. Fremont Peak, now within Fremont Peak State Park, is one of its best-known summits. Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area also occupies terrain in the Gabilan Range south of town.

A common mix-up is confusing the Gabilan Range with the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Santa Cruz Mountains are farther northwest, across the Pajaro Gap, while the Diablo Range borders the valley on the opposite side. The range is also closely associated with the San Andreas Fault, which runs near its eastern side.