Santa Rosa Rancho

Pío Pico granted Juan Moreno forty-seven thousand acres of this plateau in 1846 and Moreno put up a small adobe for his vaqueros. It still stands, with Machado's larger one beside it, and between them they are the oldest buildings in Riverside County. What makes the landmark unusual is what is not here. Eight thousand four hundred acres are held as an ecological reserve, Engelmann oak and bunchgrass prairie and vernal pools that fill and go, along with the Payómkawichum village sites underneath all of it.

What the plaque says

This historic site was granted by Governor Pio Pico to Juan Moreno in 1846. The rancho is a prime example of human history in Southern California. Archaeological evidence indicates that Native Americans occupied this area for over 6000 years and established village and ceremonial sites on the land. No other rancho site in Southern California retains so much of its setting undisturbed.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Old Temescal Road — 21 mi
• Serrano Boulder — 22 mi
• Ruins of Third Serrano Adobe — 22 mi
• Serrano Tanning Vats — 22 mi