Santiago Oaks Regional Park offers a unique blend of native habitat and man's influence on the land. This 350-acre plant and animal reserve sits astride Santiago Creek, the main tributary of the Santa Ana River in Orange County. The area encompasses a variety of biological communities including riparian, oak woodland and coastal sage scrub. The park is dominated by the majestic Coast Live Oaks found in the canyon bottoms and towering California Sycamores lining the creek. Poison Oak is also abundant, so beware! In addition to the native vegetation, the park also includes thousands of ornamental trees planted on the north side of the creek and a producing Valencia orange grove. Because of its diverse habitat, Santiago Oaks is a prime bird watching location. Over 130 species, ranging from Great Blue Herons to Great Horned Owls, have been observed here. For those interested, a comprehensive field checklist is available. The wildlife population also includes Mule Deer. Coyote, Bobcat and an occasional Mountain Lion. Many smaller mammals, reptiles and amphibians abound, attracted by the lure of Santiago Creek. The topography is varied from gently sloping hills to the steep bluffs of Rattlesnake Ridge. A system of hiking, riding and self-guiding nature trails runs throughout the park and connects to the Anaheim Hills trail system. Available in the picnic area on a first come-first served basis are picnic tables, running water and barbeques. Because of the seasonal fire hazard, all barbeques are for charcoal use only, no wood fires! Horseshoe pits, hitching rails and a small playground round out the facilities.
The park's rich biological communities include riparian, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, fresh water pond, meadows and a ornamental tree forest. These communities support a large variety of wildlife. The park's prime resource is Santiago Creek which runs most of the year. Midway along the creek course through the park is the historic (1892) submerged dam. There's also a remnant (5 acre) Valencia Orange Grove which was planted by former land owners Windes. The park offers picnicking, a nature center, conference and patio facilities, wedding gazebo, a playground, horseshoe area and trails. Park ranger led nature programs are conducted on a daily basis. Santiago Oaks Regional Park currently has 13 trails for a total of 5 trail miles.
This part of Santiago Creek has been home to man for thousands of years. Archaeological surveys of the park indicate that Gabrieleno Indians occupied village sites within current park boundaries and the subtle evidence of their presence is still to be found throughout the region.
Santiago Oaks also rests on a portion of the old Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana which was granted to Jose Antonio Yorba by Governor Arillaga in 1810.
In the late 1800's this area was prowled by such notorious bandits as Joaquin Murietta and Three Finger Jack. Outlaws would sweep down from the hills to terrorize the local communities below the foothills or prey upon the Butterfield Stage which once passed through this canyon. From a lookout high on Robber's Roost it was easy to spot and flee from the sheriff's posses into one of the many rugged canyons.
J.T. and Alexander Carpenter, along with other local landowners, sought to improve agricultural productivity near the creek. In August, 18?9, they completed one of the first significant reservoirs in what was to become Orange County. A small dam of native clay was constructed on the seasonal creek to capture underground water and force it to the surface for year-round use. The original dam was destroyed by floods five years later but was reconstructed with river rock and cement in 1892. The carpenter and Serrano Irrigation Districts, which developed this early project, still service parts of east Orange and Villa Park. And the dam still stands within the park, a reminder of one of Orange County's pioneer water systems.
The original rancho has been divided into many parcels and has changed hands several times. Each owner has left a unique imprint on the land, from the grove of ornamental trees planted by Harry Rinker to the Windes/Blome ranch house and Valencia orange grove. The Rinker and Blome properties. acquired in 1974 and 1976, respectively, made up the original park which has since grown to 350 acres.
Please respect this beautiful area so that it may be enjoyed by future generations.
| $2.00 | per entry per vehicle |
| $10.00 | per entry per bus |
| $30.00 | *Annual Day-Use Pass per year (valid at County Regional Parks --- prorated pass available. |
| $7.50 | *Annual Day-Use Pass per year Senior Citizen - (60 year or older) and handicapped *Pro-rated to $9.00 and $2.25 repectively |