Need help Please ID this snake>?

[iou]

Went walking today at a local wildlife preserve in Visalia Calif (central calif) this snake was in the middle of a pathway very calm snake when tapped with the tripod a few times he slowly slid back into the grass. I was told that this is a rattlesnake (saw no rattle on it and it was VERY calm) I am thinking this is a gopher snake but I dont know reptiles at all.. I would love to get a positive id on this little creature for my records and that of the wildlife preserve.
(and howdy btw First post here) :grab:
here are 5 photos

http://iou.mine.nu/Kaweakoaks/p5230066_std.jpg
http://iou.mine.nu/Kaweakoaks/p5230067_std.jpg
http://iou.mine.nu/Kaweakoaks/p5230071_std.jpg
http://iou.mine.nu/Kaweakoaks/p5230073_std.jpg
http://iou.mine.nu/Kaweakoaks/p5230072_std.jpg

[Andy_G]

Looks like a gopher snake to me, so good call on your behalf. It could be a bull snake but they tend to be worse than gophers for attitude. DEFINITELY not any type of viper!

[iou]

Ok good.. I was very tempted to handle this guy just based on his demeanor I did think twice about it and my common sense kicked in (thank god) he was about 4 1/2 feet long photo was taken this am about 8:30 so he was just set for a good day of sunning hisself/herself

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Yeah, looks like a gopher. Im 99.9% sure its a pacific or sanoran. Cool find! Cool pics too.

[LdyDrgn]

Pacific gopher is pituophis catenifer catenifer. I have one that was caught at Travis Air Force Base ;) It looks similar to that one. I am not sure what the Sonorans look like.....

[Colonel SB]

I my father has a sonoran and they tend to be lighter in colour. Cream body with light brown saddles.

[Gareth]

it looks like a bull snake i had one

[garterguy]

we have a lot of bullsnakes out here and that isnt a bull snake,bullsnakes have a larger head and hardly ever have saddles or colors like that

[Vanan]

Looks like a Pacific Gopher to me.

[Blazin]

Definetely a pacific gopher. Nice looking!