High above the hum of the city, where sunlight weaves through ancient oaks and the air smells of warm earth, the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve invites quiet discovery. Just west of Murrieta, this 9,000-acre sanctuary offers more than trails—it offers a return.
A return to stillness.
To wind-brushed grasslands and open skies.
To the kind of quiet that stirs something essential.
Part of the Santa Ana Mountains, the Reserve protects one of Southern California’s last native ecosystems. Trails like the Granite Loop, Monument Hill, and Vernal Pool Trail welcome hikers of all levels. In spring, wildflowers bloom in vivid waves. In wetter months, rare vernal pools shimmer—fragile mirrors of cloud and sky.
Birdsong accompanies each step. Wildlife thrives, but so does something subtler: awareness.
Families discover nature’s wonders. Solitude-seekers find space to slow down. Whether you come for photos, picnics, or peace, each visit becomes a quiet homecoming.
Take the turn onto Clinton Keith Road. Let the land reawaken your sense of wonder.
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
39400 Clinton Keith Rd, Murrieta | 951.677.6951 | rivcoparks.org
You don’t always need a plane ticket to find adventure—just a trail, some curiosity, and a moment to breathe.