Best Tourist Information Center Murrieta Near Me

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Sylvan Meadows trails are open to the public, unless otherwise indicated for safety reasons such as weather events.


The Santa Rosa Plateau, at an average elevation of 2,000 feet, is located at the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains in southwestern Riverside County, California. Ancient oak woodlands, rare bunchgrass prairie and endangered vernal pool wetlands are a few of the six distinct habitat types that reside on this land located less than 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean.


The Plateau’s mild climate made the area ideal habitat for people, beginning thousands of years ago with the arrival of Native Americans. Ancestors of the local American Indians, known today as the Luiseno, harvested and hunted the many plants and animals that are still found on the land today. This hunting and gathering way of life came to an end on the Plateau with the establishment of the missions.


$4 adults, $3 child, $1 dog on 6' lease, or horse (exact cash only)

RivCoParks offers a variety of nature education programs at Santa Rosa Plateau. Field trips are available for home schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, scouts and private groups. Special third grade trips are very popular, offering teachers helpful educational resources to round out the trip.

In 1846, the entire 26,000 or so acres of the Santa Rosa Plateau became part of the 48,000 acre Rancho Santa Rosa. It was a Mexican land


The Moreno adobe, the older of the two found on the Reserve, was constructed in 1845 when Juan Moreno moved 100 head of cattle to the


The historic adobes of the Santa Rosa Plateau are Riverside County's oldest standing structures.

The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, located at the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains in southwest Riverside County near the city of Murrieta, is a hidden gem that offers a fascinating glimpse into the history and ecosystems of the area. Consisting of 9000 acres, the Reserve protects unique ecosystems such as Engelmann oak woodlands, riparian wetlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, bunchgrass prairie, and vernal pools as well as more than 200 species of native birds and 49 endangered, threatened or rare animal and plant species, including mule deer, mountain lions, badgers, bobcats, western pond turtles, white-tailed kites and fairy shrimp. Of the two species of fairy shrimp that live in the seasonal vernal pools on the Reserve, one is found only here and nowhere else on Earth!

An especially popular day-hike destination at the Reserve is the Moreno and Machado Adobes, the two oldest standing structures in Riverside County, which date back to 1846 and once served as bunkhouses for cowboys. These interesting historical buildings, shaded by a 400-year-old tree and separated by a relaxing one-of-a-kind picnic area, provide a unique opportunity to experience Riverside County’s rich history.

The Reserve offers a number of interpretive programs and trail walks. Horseback riding and mountain biking are popular activities in the Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use Area of the Plateau.

Visitors must stay on marked trails or roads at all times.

All elements on the Reserve are protected, including flowers and other plant material, animals, birds, insects, and rocks. Collecting or disturbing any element is strictly prohibited without a Scientific Collecting Permit issued by the Reserve Manager.

Smoking, fires, and camping are prohibited. Please carry all trash out with you, including food scraps.

Dogs and other pets, leashed or unleashed, are not permitted on the Reserve.

Visitor vehicles are prohibited on the Reserve except during specially scheduled events.

Horseback and bicycle riding is permitted only on designated multi-use trails.

These rules are enforceable under State of California Fish and Game Code section 1530 and Riverside County Ordinance 328. Please report any violations to the Reserve Ranger or the Reserve Manager.

Programs at the Santa Rosa Plateau are enhanced through funding raised by the Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Eduction Foundation.

4worldlovers:
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