Lonoak Road crosses the San Lorenzo River about halfway to its intersection with Highway 25 at a bridge that is the border between Monterey and San Benito counties. Once that bridge is crossed, the road is entirely in San Benito County, but as the road hugs the San Lorenzo, the far side is always in Monterey County. On that final stretch, the river —and the road — makes a "Big Bend," giving rise to the name of this Hotspot. Another local name for this bend in the river is "the Big Stinky," named for the sulfur springs at the river bend that one can often smell. All of this is private ranch land, and the birding is strictly from the edges of Lonoak Road.

This country is inhabited by Coyotes, Bobcat, and Badger. In early spring, the barren hills may come alive through the gorgeous colors of wildflowers.

Golden Eagle, Red-tailed and Ferruginous Hawk (the latter in winter), Prairie Falcon, Yellow-billed Magpie, Horned Lark, many ravens, Western Bluebird (resident), and Mountain Bluebird (winter only). Lonoak Road is narrow in rocky Lonoak Canyon, and there are Rufous-crowned Sparrow in both counties. As the species is secretive, one will only hear them in Monterey County across the canyon from the road.

Lonoak Road is a two-lane paved road from King City, winding through grazed grasslands and around barren hills, to the tiny hamlet of Lonoak at the north end of Peachtree Valley. It is typically not too busy but one must use pullouts and wide spots to stop to bird. The short-grass grasslands may be green after winter or early spring rains, and have wildflowers in March-April some years, but will be barren brown in summer. All the land on either side of the road is private ranch-land. Still, it sometimes feels like you are driving through South Dakota in the 1950s. Drivers need to use caution, though, for some fast cars or motorcycle clubs, or for large trucks with cattle or feed.