21 Los Jilgueros Preserve Trail

OVERVIEW

LENGTH: 1.5 miles

CONFIGURATION: Loop

SCENERY: Birds, stream, ponds, frogs, waterfowl, trees, and native plants

EXPOSURE: Some sunny and some shady

TRAFFIC: Moderately heavy

TRAIL SURFACE: Dirt and boardwalk

HIKING TIME: 45 minutes

ACCESS: Free

MAPS: None

SPECIAL COMMENTS: In this 46-acre preserve that is the most popular of the sites managed by the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, visitors find it easy to understand the necessity of preserves as cities grow and encroach on nature. Even with busy Mission Road to the west and a housing tract to the east, this space teems with animal and plant life, and offers a natural respite. Dogs on leashes are allowed—and common!

SNAPSHOT

A pleasant, 1.5-mile loop frames two ponds in this well-managed site that is popular with bikers, dog walkers, and those out for an invigorating walk through nature.

CLOSE-UP

Notice kiosks to the left of the parking lot and head into the preserve just past those. A bench placed at the start of the trail sets the tone for this adventure—easy-paced with lots of places to reflect.

After the short northwestern stretch that passes sycamore trees and scented sage, a wood-plank bridge appears on the left. Head across the bridge, where yerba mansa grows all around. The flowers’ conical centers stretch up above white petals that form the crowning bloom for bright-green leaves on red stems. In winter, the plants die back to an ugly matte brown. This westward walk of a few hundred yards takes you closer to Mission Road, which runs along the outside of the preserve. The wood-plank bridge will cross water at some point; how much water depends on the season and rainfall amounts.

Where the plank bridge ends, turn right onto the dirt path. The route heads north alongside Mission Road for close to 0.5 miles, passing a series of short wood-plank bridges along the way. This stretch is considered the “nature trail.” Dragonflies buzz, birds sing exuberantly, and cottontails hop in and out of the bushes. Thistles reach up, their purple blooms turning to tufts of fuzz as spring becomes summer. At two-thirds of the way in on the nature trail, notice the lower pond to your right. Vegetation makes the pond inaccessible. Stay on the path, respecting the area’s designation as a preserve.

The trail bends to the right and continues. Look for another path on the left, heading northeast down into the trees. Take this route, where you’ll see a concrete silt dam and a bench overlooking the creek. Here in the shade of the trees, you’ll spot frogs lazing in the shallow creek water. Bright-orange nasturtiums thrive in this cool, shady environment where spotty sunlight filters down. Butterflies flit about and birdsong fills the air.

After spending time reflecting, cross the small bridge and head left into the open for a moment before reaching the shade of trees again. You’ll notice another kiosk with information about the preserve up ahead. Two trails run off to the left of the kiosk. One crosses a wood-plank bridge toward the north entrance. The other, a single-track trail, delivers visitors up to the “firescape” garden, which is worth a look for those interested in native California plants that retard fire. If you choose to stroll through the garden, you can still access the main loop from that path later.

Sticking to the main loop trail, walk to the right up the hill (northeast). After a short distance, you will see the upper pond on the left. A short trail on the left leads to a bench near the shore that is shaded by lush pecan trees—a nice place to sit awhile and enjoy the birds. Continuing east on the path leads you along the right side of the pond.

The route turns abruptly southward for a long trek. Notice the rusty frame of an old truck and some old farm equipment partially hidden in the weeds on either side, remnants of the town of Fallbrook’s history.

You’ll come to a kiosk, and to the right of the path, see a native plant garden that blooms in a variety of colors in spring. The showy Matilija poppy—which blooms in spring and summer—grows in the garden. The large, yellow-centered flowers with crinkly white petals have a uniquely pungent scent. A trail leads down around the garden (which may look bedraggled by summer) to a shaded bench near the lower pond.

The main loop trail continues south all the way back to the parking area. Benches along the way allow visitors to stop and reflect while enjoying birdsong and the sound of gentle winds.

MORE FUN

The Gem and Mineral Society Museum is nearby at 123 West Alvarado, across the street from Fallbrook’s Art & Cultural Center. For more information, call (760) 728-1130. Air Park Road (almost directly across Mission from the preserve entrance) will take you to picnic benches that overlook Fallbrook Air Park, affording views of the afternoon’s takeoffs and landings.

TO THE TRAILHEAD

Take I-15 North to the Pala/CA 76 exit and go left (west) 4.9 miles and turn right onto Mission Road. After 4.4 miles, you’ll see signs for Los Jilgueros Preserve, which is past the high school and just past the Sterling Bridge intersection. Turn right and head down the dirt road, then park in the dirt- and bark-surfaced lot on the left.