Margarita Peak

Margarita Peak is a mountain summit in the Santa Ana Mountains standing at about 3,200 feet. From the top, you can see across Southern California's valleys and toward the Pacific coast.

The Fallbrook Land Conservancy acquired this area to protect natural habitats and support scientific research activities. This protection has significantly limited public access to the summit.

The peak serves as a research site where scientists study native California plant species and wildlife patterns in their natural environment.

The hike covers roughly 3 miles on open roads without shade, then continues through thick brush and steep slopes to reach the summit. Access to the area is limited and requires advance planning with local authorities.

Fewer than a dozen visitors reach this summit annually, making it one of Southern California's loneliest mountains. This isolation allows the landscape to remain largely untouched by human activity.