San Jacinto Wildlife Area - Davis Road Unit

Stefanie Rodriguez

Love this place. Quiet, relaxing, and great for wildlife viewing. Beautiful, easy trails, and an awesome birding location.

A A

An amazing slice of nature with tons of wildlife. This is a must stop for anyone interested in wildlife viewing and/or birding. There are several blinds in the marshes if you're willing to get a little muddy, but there's plenty to be seen from the car blind on the auto tour route. I travel all over and love to find places like this. Reading their website, it's amazing what the community of volunteers has done here making this one of the best wildlife refuges in the country. This is one of my new favorite places in the country and I've been making a point of visiting every time I'm in the LA area.

Jackie Bauer-Lewis

Great place to stage our trail ride from plenty of space for parking. Bathrooms, shade covered picnic area.

Dang N

A great place for bird watching and photography; just east of Lake Perris State Recreation Area. The road that leads to the main entrance is partially paved but most of it is a dirt road. Nothing to the level that requires a four wheel drive vehicle, but note that after heavy rains, this road can become very muddy with patches of static water. The main entrance has parking lot with a handful of covered picnic tables as well as public restrooms. If you do not have an annual pass or hunting license from CDFW, be sure to purchase a day pass from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife; all visitors over 16 years of age is required to have a pass. This is a very simple process that can be completed online. Which you can do ahead of time and print it out or once you arrive you can complete the purchase using your phone and download the pass (which is my preferred method). As of the writing of this review, the day use pass costs $5.40 per person. Upon entering the wildlife area there is one main dirt road that basically will take you around the entire area. There is ample parking throughout if you wish to park and explore on foot. Or you can stay in your car and drive around. There are also portable restrooms that are usually pretty clean. There is so much to explore and discover. I primarily visit this place for nature and bird photography. So I usually spend 3-4 hours here. I've been here several times over the past couple of months and have not been disappointed with the variety of birds that is offered here. There a several ponds and marsh areas, so you'll be treated to many water birds. If you plan on walking around, know that your shoes will likely get very dirty so plan accordingly. Also, during hunting season, the area is closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays for waterfowl hunting; usually from October through January. But check the CDFW website to know for sure.

Victor M. Castro Jr.

A great place to visit for birdwatchers and photography, please be respectful by staying on marked trails, do not enter watered areas. pick up all of your trash. no camping allowed! it is a safe place for birds and other animals be mindful of your responsibility bring plenty of water there are no drinking fountains on the grounds.

Aeyoung Mook

I like to go there for birding in untouched areas.

Ellen4 Birds

Definitely in the top 10 of birding hotspots in and around Southern California. My suggestion - get out and walk if you can although after a good rain, the mud can create challenges. Birders Beware - make sure to check their hours and days when hunting is permitted before heading out. Returned in early March 2023 after the rains and had an equally amazing experience.

Benjamin Ninan

What an awesome area to view and take pictures of wildlife! Occasionally there are rude auto drivers that annoy those of us who enjoy the quiet. There are several toilet facilities conveniently located.