| Visitation: 30,000 | ||
| Area: 8,300 Acres | ||
| Lat: 33.54354944008939 | ||
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Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
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| Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve - Site # 316 | |||
| The approximately 7,500-acre Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is a relatively undisturbed area of oak woodland, chaparral, and native grassland habitat. Preservation of the plateau could begin to provide a corridor for movements of deer and mountain lion. Creeks draining the plateau contain deep holes, which hold water throughout the summer months and provide an important water source for wildlife. | |||
| Background: | Even though these expansive basalt-capped mesas and grasslands are just miles from an urban area, this landscape seems nearly untouched. Each winter and spring rainwater collects in shallow depressions and creates 13 vernal pools. The pools support fairy shrimp, ducks, grebes, geese, gulls, and shorebirds; concentric bands of colorful wildflowers edge the pools. Riparian corridors line seasonal creeks and provide habitat for many birds, including black phoebes, lesser goldfinches, and red-winged blackbirds. When the creeks dry, holes in the rock creek bed, called 'tenajas', hold water that sustains red-legged frongs, western pond turles, California newts, and many songbirds. Coast live oaks and the gnarled and angular Engelmann oaks are frequented by mule deer, Cooper's hawks, ban-tailed pigeions, and several species of woodpeckers. The much drier chaparral offers views of greater roadrunners, California thrashers, California quail, and other birds. It is buffered by coastal sage scrub inhabited by San Diego horned lizards, California gnatcatchers, and cactus wrens. Rocky enclaves are the domain of red diamond and western rattlesnakes. The plateau includes one of the finest examples of California's bunchgrass prairie, which is hunted by white-tailed kites and golden eagles. The grasslands and chaparral may also produce views of California ground squirrels, coyotes and bobcats. Mountain lions are occasionally seen in riparian and woodland habitats. | ||
| 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 grant presented to Los Angeleno Juan Moreno by Mexican Governor of California Pio Pico. Although Juan Moreno lived in Los Angeles and never resided on the Plateau, he commissioned an adobe structure to be built as a residence for the ranch manager (Major domo) or vaqueros (cowboys). In 1855, Senor Moreno sold his ranch to neighbor Augustine Machado for $1,000 American dollars and $500 worth of livestock. The Moreno and Machado Adobes still stand on the Plateau, and represent the oldest standing structures in Riverside County. | |||
| The Habitat: | 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. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Nearly 150 bird species, unusual plants, many sensitive species. Many resident mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Vernal pools excellent January through mid-May. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | More than 20 miles of trails. Group tours by reservation. | ||
| Nearby Viewing Sites: | Trabuco District of the Cleveland National Forest/8 miles past the Visitor Center off Tenaja Road | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | Yes | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | sunrise to sunset | ||
| Year Round: | Yes | ||
| Seasonal: | During the rainy season, we are temporarily closed due to hazardous trail conditions. | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved. | ||
| Road Hazards: | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 150 | |||
| Parking Fee: No | |||
| Proximity to viewing area: | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: No | |||
| Parking Danger: 15mph right hand turn approximately one mile past the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve Visitor Center | |||
| How to Get There: | Exit Clinton Keith Road from the I-15 freeway, travel west 4 miles to the Visitor Center on the left. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | California Department of Fish & Wildlife | ||
| Agency Site URL: | https://www.rivcoparks.org/santa-rosa-plateau-visitor-center | ||
| Physical Address: | 39400 Clinton Keith Road Murrieta, CA 92562 |
Agency 2: | , CA |
| Manager Phone: | (951)677-6951x223 | Contact Us: | by Email |
| Site Phone: | (951) 677-6951 | ||
| County: | Riverside | ||
| Addition Website: | |||