The best way to get to this area is to hike or bike up Forest Route 8N08 from Cachuma Saddle (34.7269, -119.9196) to the trailhead of Mission Pine Trail (34.7037, -119.8361). The first two miles of Mission Pine Trail, up to the summit of San Rafael Mountain, are covered by a separate hotspot. The current hotspot starts at the summit, shortly before the habitat changes to pine forest. This forest extends all the way to Mission Pine Spring Camp. The understory is sparse so one could traverse the forest off the trail, but the main way to bird this area is to follow the trail, which winds through the forest.

Little is known about the avifauna in this location. Montane species like Pygmy Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, and Brown Creeper are likely present year-round. Lewis's Woodpeckers, Williamson's Sapsuckers, and White-headed Woodpeckers were observed here in November 2022, and the latter may also breed here. Red-breasted Sapsucker, Dusky Flycatcher, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Cassin's Finch likely bred here in the 1980s and 1990s, but their current status is unknown. Golden-crowned Kinglet has not been observed here in summer, but may be regular in winter. There are no records of Flammulated Owl here, but its presence is plausible given the habitat.

This area is one of only four high-altitude pine forests in Santa Barbara County, the others being Figueroa Mountain, Big Pine Mountain, and Madulce Peak. San Rafael's pine forest is drier and more sparse than that on Big Pine Mountain.