Carrizo Plain National Monument
Carrizo Plain National Monument is a relatively new National Monument, having been dedicated as such in 2001. The area itself, however, has an interesting history quite a bit longer. It is one of the last remaining examples of how southern/coastal California grasslands used to look before humans started significant development. Additionally, it contains a salt lake called Soda Lake. It also has a history of early human settlement, with rock paintings found at Painted Rock.
I was there during the winter, and has the good fortune of seeing the surrounding mountains snow covered. It was really beautiful to see the vast grasslands surrounded by white mountains.
