The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is located at the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains in southwest Riverside County in Murrieta.
We are so lucky to have this reserve that takes us back into this area’s history. According to the website for the reserve, it spans over 9000 acres and protects unique ecosystems such as Engelmann oak woodlands, riparian wetlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, bunchgrass prairie, and vernal pools. It also has 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.
The reserve makes a great day-hike destination. On our hike in this video, we shared a trail with a coyote and a deer. The rangers at the reserve can teach you how to protect yourself when or if you encounter wildlife.
Also in the video, we ran into a coyote.We knew what to do thanks to a class we took with the rangers a few year ago. If you stop and make yourself tall or large by spreading out your arms and staying calm the coyote or coyotes will move off the trail and away from you. It is smart to keep small children close to you when hiking and teaching everyone what to do in case of an encounter. 

If you like you can also enjoy a number of interpretive programs and trail walks. Visitors also can enjoy the reserve on horseback and mountain biking on Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use Area of the Plateau.
If you have not visited the reserve we suggest picking up a brochure at the Riverside County Park District Headquarters or simply drop by to check it out.