Oak Glen Preserve — Attraction in Yucaipa

I've lived in this area longer than I'm comfortable admiting, and we've been coming up to Oak Glen for at least a decade. So I'm still shocked that at only found out about these lovely gardens a few months ago. Oak Glen is a cute, easily accessible mountain area north of Cherry Valley which is just off the 10 on the way out to Palm Springs. If you go up, Riley's Farm, Los Rios Rancho, and Apple Annie's are all highly recommended. All free to visit and worth the drive. However, visitors to Los Rios Rancho get a wonderful bonus: the Oak Glen Preserve and Botanical Gardens. It's a fancy title, but it's a really great place to take kids for a fun day hike.

The grounds are amazingly well kept for what looks like simple nature trails, even with regular visits from bus loads of schoolchildren everything is clean. No trash anywhere on the trails, with lovingly maintained split-rail fencing on clearly marked landscaped forest trails. Weeds are weeded out, wildflowers watered, and plants replanted. It strikes a great balance between wild trail and national park. There's even adorable little learning kiosks scattered around the Preserve where kids can learn facts about plants, animals, and also conservation. This IS California. There are free maps available at the large gates of trailhead and paths that range from a paved butterfly garden right at the entrance to miles of more adventurous hikes.

There's rest areas, benches, and even a spotless restroom halfway up to the duck pond. It's all incredibly family friendly and although most of the paths aren't paved, you should be able to manage a stroller to the Old Coot Station. Large signs at the gates let you know of any hungry hungry critters recently sighted, if you have small children.

In my opinion, the forest path is the best part of the park. There's a way in from the picnic area just past the restrooms. Skip it, don't cheat yourselves. Head down the trail a little ways more, and just across from the little wooden bridge over the dragonfly stream, there's the other end of the forest trail. Start there.

The trees get larger and lovelier as you move though a quiet, shaded forest with sunlight peeking through the pine boughs. The winding path is clearly marked and well kept, and there are many signs describing the evergreens and telling stories about their place in history. The grand finale, however, is the last clearing before the end. A tiny ring of giants. A stand of absolutely immense redwoods, right here less than an hour from the burning sands of the desert. There's even a convenient stump from you to sit and contemplate these breathtaking wonders. Wonder how you lived around here for so long without ever meeting these trees. And when you're done, go ahead, give 'em a hug. No one cares. This is...

I highly recommend visiting Oak Glen Preserve, a beautiful 909-acre nature preserve in the western foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. The preserve is home to a variety of natural features, including ponds, streams, wetlands, oak and pine forests, chaparral, and willow woodland.

One of the highlights of the preserve is the Southern California Montane Botanic Garden, which features a variety of native plants and flowers. The garden is a great place to learn about the local flora and fauna, and it's also a beautiful place to simply relax and enjoy the scenery.

Another popular attraction at the preserve is the Children's Outdoor Discovery Center. This interactive center offers a variety of educational activities for kids of all ages, including nature hikes, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts projects.

In addition to its natural beauty and educational opportunities, Oak Glen Preserve also offers a variety of recreational activities. There are several hiking trails to choose from, ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging. The preserve is also a popular spot for picnicking and birdwatching

If you're looking for a place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the beauty of nature, I highly recommend visiting Oak Glen Preserve. It's a great place to visit with family, friends, or even by yourself. Make sure to bring some cash as there is no entry fee, but donations...

We always enjoy visiting the Preserve. There are easier trails and a couple of more challenging trails. During the Spring, the Artist's Pallet is painted beautifully with multiple species of wildflowers growing everywhere. Stay on the marked trails so that the seedlings and flowers aren't damaged. There are multiple water features throughout the preserve, streams, waterfalls, and ponds. One large pond even has a couple of large catfish that swim near the dock. The Sequoia grove is always beautiful and peaceful. If you do the longer trail that goes from the boardwalk through the wilderness to the park on the other end, be prepared for elevation changes, as it is a tougher trail for those that don't regularly hike. There are informational boards in various areas of the preserve, including one that shows how the area would have looked had developers been allowed to turn the area into a housing development. Near the Artist's Pallet is an area showing old farm equipment. The Preserve does close on occasion when there is snow accumulation. But it is open most days and runs solely on donations. I highly recommend a visit and bring a few bucks to this...