Santa Margarita Preserve

Found this place on Google map and decided to check it out before school started. Its a nice little place to bring family for a short hike. We came on a week day after reading its busy during weekends. Lots of horse trailers when w e arrived. The trails were sandy, good for the horses, but a bit hard to walk for humans. Lots of riders on the trail, where there are horses, there are lots of... horse droppings...We had to walk thru couple streams so maybe a pair of water socks will be great (we wore regular sneakers). No swimming allowed so just wading in shallow stream to cook off.Overall a nice place to visit.

Great horseback ride. Beautiful and lots of nature to see. I will definitely go again

Its so lovely to get out in nature. Theres shade and water and you can cross the creek. There are fewer people in the preserve than other locations.

Beautiful wilderness 25 mins from Oside. Trails for hiking and horses. Dogs loved the river.

Shaded and spacious parking. Creek/river was fun. Path was mostly sand and wore out the kids too fast. Will be back for the water, not necessarily for the hike.

Took my niece on the loop trail that crosses the santa margarita twice. Water can get about knee deep so keep that in mind. Very shady and very nice.

Located in Fallbrook off the 15 fwy. As you drive on the 15 freeway you see homes and lots of cars. What you dont expect to see is Santa Margarita Preserve. The drive becomes less homes and more trees, less cars and more nature. Its beautiful here. Great place for getting away from the city, without really leaving it. Great place for picture taking!

Great horseback ride. Most people in the creek were very respectful of the horses when crossing water. Some needed a bit of prodding to get out of the way but overall a very nice experience.

There was quite an abundance of water and it was clear and warm. The wide spots are pretty shallow and perfect for kids. It was about a 10 minute walk on a dirt/sand trail from the south parking lot. We cant wait to go back.

It was absolutely gorgeous! However I wish they had more info on the actual trail itself. Dogs are allowed! I brought my dog Morty. Please bring your own bags just in case there arent any stocked. Sand was very soft and deep as you go through, I had a ton of sand in my tennis, I recommend actual hiking boots for this trail.

Cool trail with nice streams. If they had a map of the spots in which people ould swim it would enhance the experience

Sandy trails to trek the outer banks of Fallbrook. Dip your feet in Sandia Creek too, if youre super adventurous.

Pretty walk, mostly sandy trail. You can cross a creek bed depending on how far you go. There are people who ride their horses here, so be mindful of their droppings! Saw vines with wild grapes that the kids thought was neat.The parking lot does have port-o potties for use. Just remember to bring your own hand sanitizer :)

We just had rain so the river was much Fuller then expected

Has plenty of parking an portapotties available. The signs have been updated seems like I dont remember both Bob cats and mountain lions both on signs before. I could be wrong.. I guess the only reason its not great is the trail we chose was totally overgrown on both sides of u. Gave me total feeling of walking thru mountain lion neighborhood. Every where I looked felt like a unsafe spot. Id not go on that particular trail again or recommend it. Unless u want the thrill of possibly being hunted ... Just saying !

Very green and well shaded. There are a few smaller trails that are very secluded and peaceful. The wider trails are covered with horse droppings

Had a great hike with my sister...make sure to bring water... very hot and not much shade..

Easy hike. Great for families with small children. There are a few crossings with water so prepare to get your feet wet.

Another incredible place to spend time!

The equestrian horse trailer parking was a nightmare. There were way too many single cars parked in the pull throughs, the ranger was allowing the cars in the equestrian parking lot while we were there. We had to park on the sides where the heavy brush was growing and had to tie our horses in the bushes. We should have had priority parking as we had all truck and trailers.

Always like this place. Calm, and very pretty

One of my favorite places to walk and get away from the crowds and noise this preserve has miles of trails, one which follows the river and offers peaceful vistas along the way. There is a beautiful trail that meanders into the woods where serenity describes the moment in a pristine area that reminds me this is the way the world looks naturally. Its a terrific place to sort out ones thoughts away from the hustle, bustle, of everyday life.

So relaxing and beautiful. Creek is nice and cool

Nice place for a long walk. Highly recommend bringing some water or electrolytes. Also recommend hiking shoes or a pair of shoes you dont mind getting covered in dirt as there is plenty of loose dirt and water crossings.

Absolutely beautiful. Took my horse and the ride was very rewarding and relaxing. Definitely recommend it if you enjoy nature.

Beautiful serene trails and tranquil scenery

Amazing River Hike, Dog Friendly.

The trail is composed of soft sand and provides a good workout if looking for some additional exercise. Horses share this trail which leave their natural remains along the path. If you want to avoid that the trail can be started up further along the river, on the other side of the road, where there are boulders that need to be negotiated where horses arent allowed.

Great places for a flat hike and horseback ride with water crossings

Short walk to the shallow river. Cooling off on a hot day. And the kids got to watch people on horse back walking through the deep sandy trails.

Great hike with plenty of wildlife and flowers!

Always a nice ride.

Most excellent place to bring your horses. Rode with friend who brought new horse. Trails are maintained. Many water crossings, small streams and some up to horses belly. All safe. Some walkers with dogs but all respectful. PLEASE contribute to upkeep of trails.

Best hike in San Diego county and a newly paved parking lot.

Tranquil, clean, beautiful

Great walk, really easy. Make sure to start at the Sandia Creek parking lot if you dont want to trudge through very loose sand and water crossings.

A great place for a trail ride. Depending what time of the year you will navigate through water and some thick mud. Some rocks and low branches. Stays cool in summer due to many trees. I want to go back soon and explore. Lots of room to park trailers and porta potty. Running water and picnic tables. I love the place.

I love this trail. Make sure you have water friendly shoes (or none at all). There are rocky areas, water areas and it is very dusty and sandy. My dogs love it as well. Beware of lots of horse poop though.

Good hike for an hour on the main trail or a day hike on offset steep trails.

Great for kids

Pros: Green, shady, has creeks, its free.Cons: Soft sandy paths hard to walk, paths end at creek crossings, horse poopIn short, this is a lovely equestrian park trail with nice creek crossings and lush grass, but as a hiker we only got a total 1.5 miles and 1 hour of hiking. We had to stop at the 2 creek crossings that were too wide and deep to manage on foot, and turn around. This park would be only for the most extreme cyclists.Was a nice, short, one-time hike.

Nice hiking trail with water crossings. Small beaches and a fun place for kids. Keep an eye out for horse chips since it is a horse trail.

This looked liked it would have been a promising trial to ride. Definitely not though. It is very soft sand and difficult to ride. My 12 year old son and I only made it a 1/4 mile before we had to turn back. Probably great for a hike or horseback.

It is peaceful, quite, clean with a small creek in the middle.

Theres a great hidden trail leading up to the top of the mountain with the power line pole on top. Definitely worth checking out just make sure youre comfortable with making out a trail as you go and getting your feet wet. Beautiful.

Fun place for a short hike. Maybe 3 miles in all. No bridges to cross the river.... be prepared to get wet.

Nice place to go for a walk

Great ride

Another amazing ride.. been coming for 30 yrs. & still our favorite!

I enjoyed my round surroundings and the food.

Alright, so in the first 500 feet or so you have to cross a little creek or river. No bridge or anything. Gotta walk through it.

Respectful hikers on the trail. Lots of water to cross. Rather dusty, bring a bandana.

Great place to go with kids and dogs...Ik enjoyed it a lot

Awesome place to ride.on a hot day!!!!

Always a great place for a peaceful walk.

Awesome hike! Very beautiful and definitely a hidden gem in southern California! Jesus loves you!

Beautiful place

North of San Diego, South of Los Angeles most southern californians will live there lives unaware of this area. Avocadogroves and mansions are the norm outside of the preserve. After living in the area for just over a year, while motorcycle riding the areas back roads, the most beautifull mountain lion joined me on the road. He came out of the brush 40 yards ahead of me, it glanced at me and then at a what looked like a comfortable jogging pace ran in the same direction as was traveling for another 40 yards and then exited the rode on the otherside into a game trail. I will never forget that experience.

Wonderful hike. Watch for the horse poop!

Love de luz so peaceful

We love riding here its one of the nicest places that we goAll horses trained horseback riding rentals

Pretty

Great place for horse back riding lots of water crossings.

Great trails. A fatbike + 20psi = float over the sand sections that get bad in the summer

Awesome ride today.

LOVE

Nice