The waterfall is awesome. Getting there is not so awesome - be prepared to go down windy one lane…read moreroads for quite some time. After you get there, there's a short easy-to-moderate hike to the waterfall. If you are feeling brave, you can go down the first waterfall for a much closer view of the main waterfall. If you choose to do this (which I do not recommend), please be careful - one minor slip and you're falling dozens of feet onto rocks. Each time I have come here, I found a tick on myself - be warned that they are abundant in this area.

Great adventure for a sunny Saturday afternoon. The path to the top of the falls is more of a trek…read morethan a hike, due to the slow accent and being covered by trees and brush for most the journey you are not exposed to the hot sun making for a pleasant experience. For most the hike will take only a half an hour to reach the top, and about the same to descend. The path is not well marked, and hopefully you will encounter others along the way to keep you on the right trail. Now the drive to the base of the hike is another animal! Narrow, rough, uphill, downhill, washed-out paved road with some extremely deep potholes, and trenches making for a long slow drive of about 3.5 miles with opposing traffic that requires you to make way for passing very often, and blind curves to contend with. But....the pain was worth the pleasure we experienced once we reached Tenaja Falls. The view from the falls was breathtaking, and the water was cool and refreshing to sit beside and bathe my toes! I would assume that this is the best time to visit because the temperature is moderate, and the actual presence of rushing water to enjoy. Next visit I will pack a picnic lunch, and enjoy an extended stay. Highly recommend.

Excellent nature hike!…read more The tour guide at the beginning of the trails was super helpful, knowledgeable and friendly! The trail was well kept and beautiful scenery! Did this hike with work friends for the first time, but will definitely be back! $6 entry well worth it!

Phenomenal hike today with just the right amount of climb and decent…read more Took the trail from the Hidden Valley trailhead to the Adobes and back Good amount of scenery and more

Santa Margarita River Trail is a beautiful spot for getting outdoors, especially if you enjoy…read morenature and river views. The trail is mostly easy to moderate and great for walking, hiking, or even horseback riding. It's also very dog-friendly, but keep your dog on a leash; simple. There are horses and other trail users beyond you and your dog. Be considerate, which reminds me, pack it in, pack it out. It does get pretty busy, especially on weekends, so expect to see lots of people, dogs, and riders sharing the trail. Parking is free, but it can fill up quickly. The lot fills with trailers. Overall, it's a great place to enjoy nature, just be prepared for crowds if you go during peak times. Also, bring plenty of water and snacks because it can get hot during the summer months. The signage does remind you to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, poison oak, and uneven or rocky terrain. I've seen plenty of poison oak, so pay attention.

Some Plants & Fungi found on the River Trail! The trail was amazing. Definitely get there early…read moreparking is always packed!

Nice little spot to relax before heading into the Sykes Ranch trails. The park is clean, quiet, and…read morea good starting point for a hike. There's also a surprising amount of local history here if you take a moment to explore. Worth a visit.

Great place to take your dog for walks or take family photos. We did both and there were several…read morephotographers taking photos there.

Nice park, they just need to put in a restroom! People would stay here for the day if they had a…read morerestroom for sure!

Glen Arbor Park is a pretty enchanting park with an area of trees along with grassy fields and some…read moretunnels. I was staying in Murrieta, and I wanted to go for a hike. This was the closest place that I could find to go for a walk. I saw many doggies here, which was really lovely. I always enjoy seeing doggies. :) I found parking in the neighborhood next to the park. Pretty easy. There's no restrooms here. It's just a nice neighborhood park. I enjoy walking through the tunnels. I was scared at first, but it was actually okay. Haha

Santa Margarita Preserve is a very popular spot for hikers and anyone looking to connect with…read morenature. The preserve has several well-marked, directional trails, which is super helpful in case you get turned around. It does get very busy, and parking is almost always full unless you arrive early or don't mind waiting. The views are beautiful, with lots of flowers along the way. I personally did about 5 miles, but the trails definitely go beyond that. It was a great hike--challenging but enjoyable--and perfect for my dog and me. The trail is dog-friendly, but we did come across horseback riders, so a friendly reminder to be mindful of others on the trail, especially horses, and to keep your dogs under control. Overall, this was an amazing hike and I highly recommend this trail!‍

Nothing less than five stars for this Fallbrook hike. It's got wildlife, a river system, and it's…read moredog friendly! Note: dogs must be on leash due to horse traffic. I'd consider this to be a mild hike, more like a nature walk. There's multiple river crossings throughout to be explored. We crossed at six, which was easily up to my knees. The stream was cold, refreshing, and completely clear. You can easily spot fish and we were lucky enough to see turtles. I also love that there's a sign at the beginning of the hike that lists/dates recent wildlife sightings. It does get incredibly busy here. Despite visiting on a Wednesday the parking lot was completely filled by 10am. Highly recommend arriving early if you want to snag a spot.

Best park ever! We need more of these!!! Zip line ...need I say more! We have three kids of all…read moreages and they all love it here. It's clean and tidy and super fun.

The park of willows is great for kids, but really the "Discovery Park" is also the walking trail…read more If you have time you should walk the path. Head south for a nice sunset view..

Lake Skinner - A Perfect Camping & Glamping Escape!…read more Yesterday, I packed up my two boys (ages 8 & 10) and their friend from school (also 8) for our very first camping/glamping adventure at Lake Skinner--and it was absolutely perfect. We booked a site with just the basics--electrical and water hookups--for only $50, which was all we needed for our tiny camper. The campground was clean, well-organized, and had plenty of open sites with different options and amenities, including a camp store for convenience. Some of our favorite spots were the splash pad and the playgrounds--perfect for keeping the kids entertained. Even if you just come for the day, these areas alone make it worth the trip. The kids had a blast, and it was wonderful seeing so many other families enjoying themselves too. Since we had their friend with us, we left around 8 PM to drop him back home--only about a 20-minute drive to Murrieta--then returned to the campsite, played a few games in the camper, and settled in for the night. With a 6 AM wake-up, we still made it home in time to freshen up, eat breakfast, and get the kids ready for school. (We even packed their backpacks just in case we needed to go straight from camp!) My boys haven't stopped talking about the trip--how much fun they had, how exciting it was to sleep overnight, and how much they want to go back. As a retired Navy Chief (41 years old) now balancing a busy real estate career, this is exactly how I want to spend my free time--unplugging, connecting with nature, and making lasting memories with my kids. Affordable, family-friendly, and packed with fun--Lake Skinner has definitely earned a spot on our repeat list. We can't wait to do it again!

Beautiful lake. You do have to pay to enter, though. Current fees are listed here:…read morehttps://rivcoparks.org/regional-parks-campgrounds/lake-skinner-recreation-area The main complaint I have is that people leave trash everywhere - please, fellow Californians, pick up your trash so we can keep this lake beautiful.

The Morgan Trail is part of the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness in the Cleveland National Forest. It's…read morea very easy hike that's 10 miles long depending on how far you wish to go. If you start for Killen road then the first portion is very shady with lots of oak trees. We enjoyed this portion immensely but once the valley opened up and the chaparral changed we turned around. This portion was very easy for our young kids. We will definitely be back to explore some more. There are many trails in this area.

A little hidden gem. The trees surround you, the air is crisp, and the vibe is serene. It is mildly…read morestrenuous that children can complete with breaks in between. Bring a blanket/sheet to rest on and plenty of water and snacks.

Fantastic family park. We enjoy the walking path around the lake, children playground and fishing…read more They also have paddle boats.

Harveston Park and Harveston Lake are great tranquil environments for a morning, midday or evening…read morestroll. If you can remain clear of those that walk along screaming on their phone the experience can be very therapeutic and enjoyable. Lots of grass, trees, the lake and the huge flocks of ducks add to the refreshing atmosphere.