Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
Located 90 minutes north of San Diego in Riverside County
website: www.santarosaplateau.org
One of the Nature Conservancy’s largest projects preserves 8,300 acres of native habitats including oak woodlands, riparian wetlands and bunchgrass prairie. Located at an elevation of 2,000 feet, the reserve is a remenant of 47,000 acre ranch first established as a Pubelo land grant in 1846. Adobe ranch houses constructed in 1845 and 1855 remain on the land and are the oldest buildings in Riverside County.
Much of the reserve is open for hiking with mountain biking allowed on some trails. Tours are also available and may be arranged by calling the Visitor Center at (909) 677-6951 ext. 224.
Spring is a popular time to visit when rains trapped in remenent lava flows form vernal pools, triggering a population explosing of fairy shrimp. Migratory birds, including greater yellowlegs, whimbrels and long-billed dowitchers, gather to feed on the shrmps. On our last visit the pools were nearly dry, but we were fortunate to see a pair of coyotes hunting (and pouncing!) on the abundant rodent poplulation.
Downtown LA Walking Tour
If you stick to the historic part of downtown, Los Angeles is a suprisingly walkable city with a bounty of self-guided tours (click on all the links). Within a few city blocks one can see the Art Deco streamlines of the Southern California Edison Building, the Beaux Arts magnificence of the Biltmore Hotel and the 1901 Angels Flight funicular. Frank Ghery’s undulating Walt Disney Concert Hall shines nearby on top of Bunker Hill…or how about a free historic walking tour of Las Angelitas del Pueblo, where the city was founded.
Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad
The main entrance is at the end of a cul-de-sac in an Aviara neighborhood. Just around the first bend of the trail head is a charming little nature center, which Fred Sandquist, president of North County’s Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation, calls “a hidden treasure.” It may be off the beaten path, but it’s easy enough to find with directions. (click the link above)
Oceanside gardens provide respite from everyday bustle
Rosicrucian Fellowship gardens offer a meditative walking experience — they are open from 9am-6pm daily. Located at 2222 Mission Avenue, just east of Mission Elementary School, about a mile east of I-5…and it’s free.