This privately-owned "Big Pond" is (often) easily viewed from River Road, about 1 mile north of the intersection of River Road with Gonzales River Road (which crosses the Salinas River just east of this intersection), and about a half-mile north of Pessagno Winery. There has been a sign on River Road mentioning "Big Pond," but the pond's attractiveness to birds comes and goes. At times it is surrounded by a margin of reeds; at other times it has been de-nuded of reeds. A fence surrounds the pond, and the only access is from the east shoulder of River Road. This shoulder has also been modified over the years, sometimes it was wide with easy parking; more recently the parking has been narrowed by repavement of River Road. There is a private residence surrounded by trees at the north end of the pond. Birders should respect the privacy of the residents. Be very careful when parking off the road here, as traffic moves fast on the pavement of River Road.

When conditions of the pond are good, the pond attracts a variety of ducks, including Ring-necked Ducks in fall/winter, and occasionally Common Merganser. When reeds are present, there are flocks of blackbirds (most Red-winged) and coots (sometimes rails can be heard). If there are mudflats at all, one might see migrant shorebirds in spring or fall.