Martha McLean – Anza Narrows

Martha McLean - Anza Narrows is a regional park along the Santa Ana River spanning 40 acres with trails and recreational areas positioned on a shaded bluff. The elevated terrain offers various activity zones including disc golf, hiking routes, and equestrian pathways.

The grounds mark where Juan Bautista de Anza's expeditions crossed the Santa Ana River in 1774 and 1776, establishing the first European passage through Riverside. This crossing became a key route for early settlement and development in the region.

The grounds connect visitors to the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail extending across Southern California through an on-site commemorative marker. The location reflects the early importance of this passage for European exploration in the region.

The park offers hiking, cycling, and equestrian trails suitable for different activity levels. An 18-hole disc golf course and reserved group picnic areas make it easy to spend half a day or a full day exploring.

The park is named after environmental activist Martha McLean, who worked with Ruth Anderson in the 1960s to fight river channelization. Their effort preserved this stretch from concrete barriers and created the open recreation space visitors enjoy today.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 33.96280,-117.42800

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:06