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Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological, Murrieta

4.8

#1 of 8 in Things to do in Murrieta

Wildlife Area Nature / Park

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The Santa Rosa Plateau is an upland plateau and southeastern extension of the Santa Ana Mountains in Riverside County, southern California. It is bounded by the rapidly urbanizing Inland Empire cities of Murrieta to the northeast, and Temecula to the southeast.The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve preserves approximately 8400acre of the plateau, and includes the Moreno and Machado Adobes, Riverside County’s oldest standing structures, and other buildings from the 19th century Mexican land grant Rancho Santa Rosa.HabitatsThe Santa Rosa Plateau is home to several native plant communities and habitats, including purple needlegrass prairie (Nassella pulchra), California oak woodland (Engelmann Oaks—Quercus engelmannii), montane chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and vernal pools, which are increasingly rare in urbanized Southern California.

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Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

203 reviews

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4.7

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1 like

• By 645davidd645

  I have been to the plateau a few times and I really enjoy it. There are a ton of trails that are easy walks and a few that have some obstacles but even the least experienced joker can enjoy it. The vi...  more »

• By Scott J

  This is a beautiful hiking resource and an amazing preserve. There are many different trails and beautiful, well preserved Adobe house in the middle of the them. Also during the rainy season there are...  more »

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Google

• By Ken Davis

  I enjoy this beautiful reserve so much I volunteer here. I've hiked the majority of this reserve encountering bobcats, deer, coyotes, hawks, snakes, tarantulas, and many other creatures. The views of mountains to the east are amazing in the winter months, the vernal pools in the spring add water fowl to the list of wildlife to be enjoyed, and Monument Hill offers a view of the Pacific on clear days. I especially enjoy early morning here.

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• By Kokoa Lawson

  Santa Rosa Plateau is such a gem! The trails are pretty family friendly. Very, very clean and maintained and they aren't far from where we live. Make sure to bring water and wear comfy shoes and long pants because we did see a few creepy crawlies that didn't look the friendliest. Make this a must do when you are in the area. You won't be disappointed.

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