Ardilla Grade is the summit of an uphill grade, coming from either direction on Carmel Valley Road, at milepost 22.9. There are two gates and a wide pullout on the south side of the paved road. All the land on either side is private, but one can view a fine oak savanna on the south side, see wildflowers in spring, and listen for oak woodland species. 

For some years, this was the best known spot to hear singing Chipping Sparrow on territory in Monterey County, where that sparrow is scarce and local as a breeder (March-June). It is still present most years, but a denser population has been present a couple miles farther east along Carmel Valley Road, at milepost 24, in the next-door Hotspot. This is meant to be either a stationary checklist -- from the wooden gate -- and not a stretch of road. There are oaks here with huge clumps of mistletoe; from time to time a pair of Phainopepla will be present. At times in spring and summer, Lawrence's Goldfinch may be present.