Bitterwater Creek, originally named Arroyo de Matarano ("Matarano Creek" in Spanish),[4] is a stream in eastern San Luis Obispo County and northwestern Kern County, central California.

It flows northwest in the rift zone, then northeast through the Temblor Range and passing south of the Shale Hills, into Antelope Valley 4 miles southeast of Point of Rocks.

[1] Arroyo de Matarano was a water stop on the 19th century El Camino Viejo in Alta California, between the stops of Aguaje Del Diablo to the south and Las Tinajas de Los Indios to the north, and east of Point of Rocks.

[4] This stream was named for Juan Matarano, a well known mid 19th century Mexican Californio mesteñero or "mustang runner" of the west side of the southern San Joaquin Valley region.

Openings in the enclosure were blocked by man made low stone walls, and was used to corral horses, cattle and sheep.