The 12-mile-long canyon follows a major earthquake fault, and, for millennia, people have followed the gentle grade between the inland Southern California valleys and the deserts to the east.
Part of the Santa Ana River watershed, the southeast-by-northwest canyon includes a blue line creek where wildlife find their way between the San Bernardino Mountains and the Pacific ocean. It has been the route for indigenous people, for Spanish, Mexican, and American pioneers, for stagecoaches and freight wagons, and for the east-west railroad. It has been the home for Cahuilla and Serrano villages, and for Mexican and American ranchers.
Today, ranging in width up to a half-mile, it retains an amazing sense of historical beauty and place with open spaces, acres of citrus groves, family farms, horse and cattle ranches, and a meandering two-lane country road.
Discovery Highlights
Vistas – San Jacinto Peak to the southeast; San Bernardino Peak and San Gorgonio Peak to the north; San Antonio Peak to the northwest; meandering creek loaded with cottonwoods and willows
Historic sites – San Timoteo Canyon Schoolhouse, El Casco Lakes and Resort, Stage Coach stop, Vache Brookside Winery, Frink Adobe
Environment – San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary; San Timoteo Canyon State Park
Agriculture – Family farms, farmers’ markets, cattle and horse ranches, citrus groves
Recreation – Hiking, cycling, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, camping, glamping, birding
