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Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
31 reviews for Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
31 reviews in English
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Review from Ann O.
Temecula, CA
1/31/2012
It was everything it promised and then some. The staff at the Visitor's Center are very friendly and very informative. We have done 2 hikes. The simple one that is about 4.5 miles to the Vernal pools and adobe. We came back and brought our two dogs who loved the multi-use trail.
Saw several birds mostly Hawks? One prairie-type animal and a snake (not a rattler).
We plan on buying the seasonal pass. We want to support this wonderful reserve! Loved it!! -
Review from Phil W.
San Clemente Island, CA
11/14/2011
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is a unique and rare asset with a variety of habitats: oak riparian, open grasslands, chaparral, and even vernal pools. Even a few hours on the preserve provides countless wide-open vistos, miles of hiking trails and dirt roads, and many opportunities to view wildlife. And at $3 per adult, it's a bargain.
The visitors' center is now first-rate, plus there are several remote parking areas at major trailheads.
The only downside is that in any area like this in SoCal, you increasingly find people who are there to exercise, but who are apparently oblivious to the natural setting. Why they don't just stay in town is beyond me. But for some reason, they feel the need to go out into nature and either bellow at the tops of their lungs to one another (usually small herds young women for some reason), or to bellow into a cell phone as they walk. Either way, it tends to scare off the birds and smaller critters.
Anyhow -- on a recent 3-hour bird visit on a three mile loop starting at the visitors' center, we saw:
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 3
Red-shouldered Hawk (California) (Buteo lineatus elegans) 3 Calling these "California" subspecies based on entire breast and belly being a markedly bright rufous orange as compared to other RSHA we have known. The shoulder patches were also brighter rufous, with broader white tail bands than the standard lineatus.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 4
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 2
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) 25
Nuttall's Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii) 1
Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) 1
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) 5
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 2
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 36 One large murder of ~20 near the visitors' center.
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 7
Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) 3
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) 35
House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 1
Wrentit (Chamaea fasciata) 3
Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) 1
California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) 2
Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) 1
Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) 1
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) 1 Brilliant male.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 22
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 5
California Towhee (Melozone crissalis) 3
White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) 5
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group]) 25
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) 1
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 2
Lizards Many
Coyote 1Listed in: Best Birding Sites
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Review from Robert H.
Irvine, CA
9/4/2011
Great for hiking and biking!
Not very difficult. The trails were pretty flat.
Just remember that if it is a hot day out, it's hot! Not a lot of shade even in the areas with trees. -
Review from Kathleen Q.
San Diego, CA
8/20/2011
Took the Coyote Trail, to the Trans Reserve Trail, to Ranch Rd up to the Historic Adobes. The adobes are kinda cool.. but you can't go inside any of them.
Then from there, took the Vernal Pool Trail to the pools.. that apparently, aren't there during the summer. Guess they dried up? Bummer.
Next took the Los Santos Trail back to Hidden Valley Rd, and back to our car. Altogether about a good 6 miles!
Nice, pretty easy hike, but not really that much to see except a lot of dead grass. Not sure where they got "best wildflower hike" from.. maybe I'll come back in springtime when all the flowers are blooming!
I also wish I got to see more animals other than a bunch of hungry squirrels and a dead tarantula. -
Review from William M.
Spring Valley, CA
This past weekend I took my wife out for the day with my little girl and taking the suggestion of yelpers I brought her here. It truly was an amazing reserve and we took coyote trail to the adobes. The view everywhere is gorgeous and I encountered:
-Hawks
-A tarantula (check the picture)
-A rattlesnake
-A scrub jay
-woodpeckers
-quails
I think that since the reserve is somewhat out of the way and there are generally less people (unlike like a lot of trails in San Diego), the opportunity to see wildlife is high. The vernal pools are there from December to about March and are populated by various amphibians and shrimp who only live in this ecosystem so I can't wait to come back. You will NOT be disappointed in the beauty of this place. It is truly stunning. -
Review from Nino R.
5/8/2011 4 Check-ins Here
What a great place for a hike!
Many of the trails are easy to navigate and the views are top notch. If you're into nature and wildlife, then you're in for a treat at Santa Rosa.
Today was a perfect day for a hike. The sun was warm but the breeze was cool. I felt totally comfortable in a windbreaker and shorts. Just remember to wear shoes that provide good traction and support. Even the easiest trails here require some fancy footwork.
What I like most is the seating that's arranged under the huge shade trees along the trails. Most of the time you'll see smoothed-out boulders but there are also designated rest areas where bench seating has been provided through generous donation.
And contrary to other reviews, there is an entrance fee. However, it's paid through the honor system. There is a collection box in the parking lot of the visitor center and another collection box inside the visitor center. The cost is $2...a small price to pay for beauty.
I had a great time here and will definitely make this a weekly thing--so long as the weather holds up. The adobe huts and vernal pools look amazing in pictures and I can't wait to see them in person.
Who's up for a hike... -
Review from Travis T.
Murrieta, CA
5/10/2011
Absolutely amazing part of the I.E. I have spent days on the Mt. Biking side of the Plateau enjoying fast trails.
Recently did the longer hike, 10 miles +/- roundtrip. We started at the welcome center, paid the 2 bucks, and started hiking. Visited the Adobe for a bit, then moved on to the vernal pools for an hour or so then returned to the car. If you are in good shape I recommend running the trail to the adobe and pools. There is also a parking further up Clinton Keith that will allow you to reach the vernal pools I believe in less than a mile.
Remember bikes are only allowed on one side. -
Review from Marc w.
5/30/2011
The staff at the visitor center are all very nice and informative. One told of of a possible rattle snake at a particular location.
We took the Coyote trail, then Ranch road to the Trans back to Coyote trail. The views are really cool with some really weird dead trees, large rocks and a bubbling stream. The trails are very easy so no real work out. But take a camera. -
Review from Nick S.
Murrieta, CA
11/18/2011
This is my local hiking getaway. Lots of great maintained trails and pretty easy terrain. If you need to get out and see some nature this is a great place to check out.
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Review from Ian A.
Murrieta, CA
5/10/2011 4 photos
Tips:
1) Have a few bucks on you for entrance
2) Lots of trails
3) Visit the vernal pool area (closed but you can see form distance)
4) Visit the Adobe Homes
5) Beginning trails mostly
6) Come after a few days when its rained, very pretty
7) Cloudy rainy days maybe closed -
Review from Andrew D.
Fallbrook, CA
12/24/2010
Ancient oaks, sycamore, rolling hills, vernal pools, snow capped mountains in the distance. There are few places in California as beautiful as this one. Great for walking and solitude if that's your thing.
Not sure why they don't allow bikes on the road to the Adobes. That wouldn't hurt the environment at all. Also, they close the place seemingly at the drop of a hat after a little rain, due to "hazardous conditions." The only real hazard is a nanny-like management policy. A little mud here and there is not hazardous. OK, I'm a human, but I'm part of the fragile eco system too, but I'll be careful not to trip and fall.
Five stars for the nature here, only three stars for current management, so a four star overall rating. I'm grateful to the visionaries who preserved this place for future generations. -
Review from Beth G.
Murrieta, CA
1/28/2011
A beautiful reprieve from the rat race...
Nobody knows which trail I will be on or when I will be there..I LOVE this place!!! -
Review from Amanda R.
2/23/2010 4 photos
I have been coming here since I was a kid and now it is one of my boyfriend and I's favorite places to go to "get away" from it all. Make sure to bring plenty of water (especially if you decide to go with a hangover- made that mistake and seriously thought I would need to be air lifted out), wear lots of sunscreen and keep an eye out for furry animals who may want to nibble on you. We have seen a few coyotes and other creepy crawly critters on our outings and thought we were being followed by coyotes once (they were howling and sounded like they were getting closer and closer). My boyfriend gallantly scrambled up the trail ahead of me, leaving me to be a mid afternoon snack.....lol
Depending on where you begin hiking you can easily cover 10 miles in a day. The road to and from the Adobes is great for a jog, as is the road to and from the wetlands. If it has been raining, give everything a few days (or longer) to dry up or you might find that some trails may be closed.
The drive back is enjoyable and it is fun to take the back way through La Cresta and pretend that one of the luxury homes belongs to you.... -
Review from Jenny W.
San Diego, CA
9/25/2008
I know everyone is not a morning person like myself, and I respect that, but I would encourage an early morning hike at The Plateau. For one thing, it gets hot up there, so the earlier you go, the better. Also, you'll have a much better chance of encountering critters like coyotes (no, they won't eat you), hawks, bunnies, snakes, and froggies. Get yourself up to the vernal pools and witness the teeniest froggies you have ever seen. They are about the size of a dime, maybe a tash smaller. Awesome!
I'm not much of a hiker, which is why I would encourage more novice outdoorsmen to check out The Plateau, there are multiple hiking paths of varying difficulties. Keep in mind though, no potties out there, so even though you THINK there is going to be at least an outhouse at the old ranch house that is your final destination, there is not. There's a porta-potty in the parking lot, use it beforehand, thank me later.
I'm a San Diego native, but my fiancee lives up in So. Riverside County, so I have spent a lot of time in the Temecula/Murrieta/Elsinore area. No, it's just not a glorious wonderland of character and culture, but The Plateau truly is one of its hidden jewels, definitely worth the adventure. -
Review from James C.
Temecula, CA
8/15/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Great place for a hike. Morning is best for summer (though 2010 has been so mild that this place is good all day). I like this place because you can tailor the hike to how far you want to go and how hard you want it to be. This is a great place to bring friends who like to hike and are new to the area...it really shows off the best of what this area has to offer. If you are up to a 4 mile or more hike, the Adobe Loop trail is a must see. The vernal pools are pretty cool but you'll get the most out of them if you go no more than 2-3 weeks after a rain.
Here is the map of the trails:
http://www.riversideco...
Definately the best easily accessible hiking in the area. -
Review from Albie F.
3/17/2008
Situated northwest of Temecula and southeast of Lake Elsinore stands the Santa Rose Plateau Ecological Reserve and part of the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District. I was very impressed with this hiking area and we did about a 6 miles hike from the parking lot through Coyote Trail to Trans Preserve Trail and finally arriving at the vernal pools (one of southern california's last of these pools that provide refuge to fairy shrimp).
A very hiker friendly trail that composes of grassy meadows, tiny streams, a few cactus, small orange and yellow flowers, straightforward dirt trails, and a vernal pool. Also, many easy signs are posted to point you in the direction of the trail you're looking to get to. After Cedar Creek Falls, this is one of my next favorites in the outer San Diego area. -
Review from sean e.
San Juan Capistrano, CA
5/6/2011
A beautiful place to explore. Rolling hills and oak trees for as far as the eye can see. There are vernal ponds that are full of turtles. The park is open to the public and you do not have to pay any entrance fee at all. Its full of wild life to, deer and mountain lions are pretty common. In the summer it does get extremely hot so hiking in the morning is definitely a must.
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Review from Diana H.
Encinitas, CA
7/21/2008
Great little gem up in the hills above Murrieta. We went to go mountain biking with the boys. They're still little whippersnappers, so we didn't want any hard-core singletrack. Well, we had some ... at the beginning, which elicited some whining. But granola bars and promises of milkshakes (see my review of Mad Madeline's...) got them through the beginning. We whipped around the meadows (bikes are only allowed across the road from the Visitor's Center, not on the same side) and by the time we were heading back, my little bookworms were shredding up the trail. Go guys! DS 2 wiped out twice, had dirt ground in to both knees and blood running down his leg. His comment? "Mommy, look how much fun I had!!" Said while pointing at his bloody knees ("fun" is what you have when you bung something up, more "fun" is if there's blood).
There's a guided mtn bike tour at 2pm on Saturdays. A walking tour at (I think) 9:30 Saturday morning. Real nice guy in the Visitor Center to take your $ and show you the maps.
I'd go back to go hiking on the preserve side. It was beautiful. Dry and hot - bring some water. -
Review from Jeremy S.
Murrieta, CA
5/10/2011
simply beautiful. I love going there to take photos and unwind. My kids love it too; they discover something new every time we go.
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Review from Susie G.
8/9/2009 1 photo
Beautiful, open, expansive, quiet and seemingly endless. Tons of trails to hike, and some of the most beautifully untouched land Southern California has. We spent some of our best hours in the area hiking here. Looking forward to visiting after some winter rain when the streams might be streams again! An absolute bargain for a $2 Day use fee.
Also, I didn't see the tarantulas, but I saw their nests and supposedly the ranger said there are tons of them out & about right now. And you thought wolf spiders were freaky! -
Review from Rudy V.
Murrieta, CA
3/10/2010
Santa Rosa Plateau is a great place to get away from it all here in the Valley. When the Promenade has lost its charm, and you are tired of hanging out at Wal-mart or Mulligan's, Santa Rosa is always there. My first time there was for a science project my sophomore year of high school, and I fell in love with the place.
Bring plenty of water, and some sort of weaponry due to the high volume of wild cat attacks on the reserve....jk! But seriously, theres a lot of bears up there, you can never be too safe.
A cool place for all ages.
p.s. jk about the bears too, its a pretty safe place -
Review from Katie P.
Murrieta, CA
1/31/2011
This place is amazing. I moved to the area a short time ago and just found this place. I have been coming every weekend since. The trails are wonderful and you can vary your hikes. If you want to do a quick hike there are small routes or if you want to do a long hike there are options for that too. I really enjoy coming here to get fresh air and exercise. It is only $2 per visit or you can buy a pass. I will be buying the pass.
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Review from Brent M.
Great place to go hiking. Very helpful staff at the visitor's center. Pay them a visit before you go hiking and they will give you a map and some great info so you can maximize your day.
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Review from John K.
Murrieta, CA
1/1/2011
What a fun place to take the kids to walk and talk. I enjoy coming here in the fall and winter. Come early in the summer due to the hot weather! Don't forget to tour the ranger house!
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Review from Daniel G.
Washington, DC
3/9/2010 3 photos
This is an excellent hiking option near Temecula. Nothing too strenuous - but a fascinating former cattle ranch / rolling hill landscape. Something you'd expect to see in eastern CO, but transported to CA. The Coyote Trail / Trans Preserve Trail was great. Highly recommend it - especially in late March / early April when the wildflowers are up.
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Review from Jose D.
Pasadena, CA
4/21/2009 6 photos
This place is gorgeous. Specially in the spring. I almost don't want to review it for fear that more people will trample on this gem but I guess I should share. This is how California looked like before we made a mess out of it. And we haven't stopped as there is a lot of development in this area that wasn't there a few years ago. I hope the current economic crisis will put the breaks on some of the stupidity. There is a treasure of wildflowers and oak trees in here , wildlife , beautiful scenery within easy reach and some gorgeous plateaus and vernal pools. Nothing else. This is a place for walks and contemplation of beauty, not family reunions with folding chairs, plastic trash and grandma dozing off to rancheras. Don't f* it up! I say they should increase the admission price to $5. It is that precious.
Listed in: Best Respite from the city of…
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Review from Brittany M.
Murrieta, CA
3/6/2010
This is a wonderful place. I love hiking here, its beautiful. There a few different trails to walk, ranging from 2 miles all the way to 11 miles. The visitors center is really cute and the volunteers are always so helpful and so excited to tell you about all of the local plant and animal life. The best time to come is the rainy season because the vernal pools are full of life. It's really a neat adventure to come here. I love it even more because I live right up the hill from here in La Cresta and it's so easy for me to come hike here. The whole area is gorgeous. A true gem of the valley.
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Review from Ryan B.
Lake Elsinore, CA
8/18/2010
This place is beautiful! Ran 7.4 miles today starting at 8:00 AM. I was the only runner out here (and lots of trails to explore). I ran into one naturalist, watching deer and birds. Plenty of varity, from hard granite surface running, down hills, uphills (ugh!) and some rolling plains. It was rather hot, but there were still pools of water and even a stream near the adobes (5 + miles out). Check it out!
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Review from sofia b.
Murrieta, CA
3/5/2010
Great place too go, so many trails. Best time is the winter and spring time when it is Green and lush.
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Review from Claire M.
Murrieta, CA
11/23/2009
Beautiful. Stunning. Amazing. I have always loved this place and always will. If you want to know what California looked like before humans trashed it, visit Santa Rosa Plateau. Its utterly gorgeous and peaceful. I'd suggest going during a cool part of the year. Bring some food for a pick-nick. =) DON'T FORGET to bring your camera because its impossible not to get some amazing shots.
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Review from Lee C.
Murrieta, CA
10/17/2010
Great place for a low intensity hike, although you can get some serious mileage in by combining all sorts of trails. Vernal pools are a must in the spring after the rains come.
