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Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature: Santa Rosa Plateau


The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is located at the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains in southwest Riverside County, near the city of Murrieta. The Reserve consists of 8,300 acres and protects unique ecosystems like Engelmann oak woodlands, riparian wetlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, bunchgrass prairie and vernal pools. The Santa Rosa Plateau is home to wildlife including coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, snakes, raccoons, and other critters. Because many of these animals are dangerous, read all posted signs and heed any warnings.

The plateau is home to several native plant communities, including purple needlegrass prairie, Engelmann Oak woodland, Chapparal, coastal sage scrub, and vernal pools, which are increasingly rare in urbanized Southern California. The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve preserves approximately 8,400 acres of the plateau, and includes the Moreno and Machado Adobes, Riverside County’s oldest standing structures, and other buildings from the Rancho Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa Plateau in California Nature The reserve was assembled in several stages; two parcels, comprising 3,100 acres, were purchased by The Nature Conservancy in 1984. The intervening parcels were purchased in the 1990s by the State of California, the Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Although the parcels remain under the ownership of separate agencies, they are managed cooperatively, with biological resource management, which includes a prescribed fire and habitat restoration programs, managed by the Nature Conservancy, and visitor management, which includes operation of a visitor center and a 40-mile trail system, managed by the Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District. What makes the Santa Rosa Plateau so unique is its variety of plant communities all in one place . Varieties such as oak woodland, grassland, sage and chaparral, riparian, and vernal pools can all be found in this area. There are over 600 species of plants which is approximately one tenth the total number of varieties in California.
The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve serves up a classic California landscape of wind-rippled grasses, swaying poppies, statuesque oak trees, trickling streams, vernal pools, and a dazzling assortment of nearly 500 native plants and animals. Your visit to the 8300-acre reserve takes you outside the boundary of Orange County and into the fast-growing southeastern corner of Riverside County, but you’ll feel like you’re far away from the people-packed suburbs.

Every Southern Californian should have at least one chance to see the Santa Rosa Plateau Reserve at its stunning best—during March and April, following a wet winter. The wildflowers are eye-popping, the large vernal pool is filled to the brim, and the rolling, emerald-green hills will make you think you’ve found paradise. Due to the reserve’s often hot, inland locale, summer visits are worthwhile only during early morning or early evening hours.
Santa Rosa Plateau found in Claifornia Nature Santa Rosa Plateau is split into two sections with the road acting as a divider. On side of the road opposite the visitor's center, you'll find the area known as Sylvan Meadows. The scenic California hiking trails in the Sylvan Meadows section are also open to horseback riders and mountain bikers.

Consisting of over 8,000 acres, this ecological reserve features woodlands, wetlands, chaparral, oak trees, wildflowers, and seasonal vernal pools - and those are just the beginning. You'll also find a visitor's center, equestrian and mountain biking trails, historic adobe buildings, wildlife, and views that will take your breath away

Start by visiting the plateau's visitor's center. At just $2 per adult and $1 per child, these southern California hiking trails are a bargain. The visitor's center features several hands-on exhibits that are perfect for introducing children to the area's charm. Especially popular is the hands-on display of "scat." Children can touch the fake poop and learn how to identify animals based on the scat they leave behind.
After checking in at the visitor's center, it's time to hit those gorgeous California hiking trails. The Santa Rosa Plateau offers easy-to-moderate trails including the one-mile Granite Loop Trail located near the visitor's center as well as longer trails traversing the preserve. One of the more popular trails, especially in spring, is the Vernal Pool Trail. This trail takes you alongside several vernal pools.

After a wet winter, these pools, which are among the last in southern California, teem with life. Tiny fairy shrimp, frogs, and snakes all make their homes in and around these seasonal pools. A boardwalk over the vernal pools once provided hikers with a relaxing place to stop and get a closer look at the pools. Springtime is also wildflower time at the Santa Rosa Plateau. From California poppies to the unusual and enchanting "chocolate lily," you're sure to be delighted when you visit the plateau from March through May.
 
 
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