Drive Ortega Highway to Lake Elsinore
- Jennifer Chung
- Aug 16, 2023
- 3 min read
Ortega Highway, also known as State Route 74, winds through the Santa Ana Mountains in Southern California. This iconic roadway offers drivers a thrilling journey with its twists and turns, showcasing stunning views of canyons, rugged cliffs, and lush greenery. Travelers can enjoy a scenic drive, motorcycle ride, or explore hiking trails along the way, immersing themselves in the natural beauty of this picturesque route. Please be advised to pay attention and drive safely. This is a popular spot for people to drive fairly crazy through, and I have seen a lot of unsafe behavior on this particular road. I even had a high school friend, Elijah Ward, pass away during a hit and run on this stretch of highway. Please be safe!
Ortega Falls
Ortega Falls is located directly off Ortega Highway and offers a tranquil escape from the bustling urban landscape. The journey to Ortega Falls is an adventure in itself, and you will need to navigate down a series of rocks to get here. Be sure to bring water and good shoes, but the hike to the falls is fairly easy otherwise.
(Pictured: Exploring the rock formations of Ortega Falls.)
Once you reach the falls, you will see that they cascade down rugged rock formations and varies with the amount of rain and time of year. Please note that this is a popular spot for locals to come hang out, so there will most likely be other people near the falls. Also note that much of this area is unfortunately covered in graffiti.
(View from the hike leading to Ortega Falls.)
San Juan Loop Trail
The San Juan Loop Trail is another hiking trail located just off of Ortega Highway. This trail is located right across the street from the candy store, and features a parking area just before the well-marked trailhead. The trail itself winds its way through a canopy of trees, offering glimpses of the stunning vistas that stretch across the surrounding hills and valleys. There is a bit of an elevation gain here, but the trail is well-shaded and overall an easy trek. The trail itself is well-maintained and relatively easy to navigate, making it accessible to hikers of varying skill levels.
(Pictured: Hiking the San Juan Loop Trail.)
San Juan Falls is one of the main highlights of this hike, although these falls also vary due to the amount of water in the area and time of year. The falls typically cascade down a series of rock formations, offering a chance to sit and enjoy the sounds of water flowing while relaxing a bit from the hike.
Lake Elsinore
We live in Orange County, so driving through Ortega Highway takes you over to Lake Elsinore. Lake Elsinore itself is (apparently) a popular spot for recreational opportunities, although I have never really been onto the lake itself, I often see people on their boats doing various activities on the water. This is not the best area to visit by any means, but it is a nice drive for a day when there's nothing better to do. Lake Elsinore is best known for its hiking trails and opportunities for off-road adventures, and leading into Lake Elsinore from Ortega Highway there are some stops on the side of the road that offer amazing scenic views of the entire area.
Off-Roading
(Pictured: Off-roading near El Toro Road in Lake Elsinore.)
Off-roading near Lake Elsinore is a popular activity for locals in the area and allows you to explore the region's rugged landscapes. With its diverse terrain, from desert expanses to rolling hills, the area offers off-road enthusiasts an array of options for off-roading adventures.
Wildflowers and Super Blooms
When spring arrives in the Lake Elsinore area of Southern California, a breathtaking natural spectacle unfolds as vibrant blankets of poppy blooms make an appearance, transforming the landscape into a sea of brilliant orange, gold, and red hues. When the rains are especially intense during a winter season, these wildflower blooms become what is known as a "super bloom," a true marvel of nature that captivates the senses and draws visitors from near and far hoping to catch a glimpse. For more information on super blooms in this area and more, see my post:
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