The Santa Ana Mountains are a short peninsular mountain range along the coast of Southern California in the United States. They extend for approximately 61 miles (98 km) southeast of the Los Angeles Basin largely along the border between Orange and Riverside counties.

Here is the largest coastal open space in southern California, some of its rarest woodlands, its most impressive grasslands, as well as extensive chaparral.

The steep and rugged Santa Ana Mountains represent one of the best and largest stretches of open space in Southern California. At almost 400 square miles (~250,000 acres), these lands provide recreational access to at least 20 million residents—a backyard playground for the region’s burgeoning populations.

• Santa Ana Mountains. A range of peninsular mountains, it extends from the Santa Ana River southeast into western Riverside and San Diego Counties. A steep-sided range of many peaks and deep canyons that support an abundance of wild plants and animals. • Temescal Valley. An inland valley, south of the Santa Ana River, from Corona & the ...

The Santa Ana Mountains are not rugged mountains geographically speaking. However, they are rugged in the sense of it's landscape. The majority of its slopes are covered with chaparral, a type of landscape native to Southern California.

Jan 16, 2025 · From the Santa Ana River, you head up into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Keep your eyes open for trees that look like this, which is a Tecate cypress. Coal Canyon is the northern limit of their small habitat (which extends south to the Tijuana area).

The Santa Ana Mountains include dramatic vistas from the high peaks, sub-alpine areas with pine forests, dramatic rock formations, and some amazingly lovely tree-lined canyons featuring wonderful waterfalls.

Santa Ana Mountains Wild Heritage Project (SAMWHP) Mission: To preserve the wild character and function of the Santa Ana Mountains Ecosystem while ensuring opportunities for solace, exploration and discovery forever!

May 5, 2012 · The Santa Ana Mountains rise just inland from the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by the growing Southern California urban sprawl, yet retain wild habitat for hundreds of species, some found nowhere else on earth.

Explore Santa Ana Mountains - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.