Santiago Creek to Robber's Roost

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Features Views · Wildflowers

A great hike that explores Santiago Oaks Regional Park and winds up at Robber's Roost, a great spot for lunch.

Parking is $3 per car from Monday to Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday parking is $5 per car. Rates may increase for holidays or events.

Many of the park trails are multi-use. Know the right-of-way rules and pay attention for other users.

From the trailhead at the end of Windes Drive, head east on Santiago Creek Trail about 0.3 miles to a junction with Oak Trail. Turn left onto Oak Trail and follow it north past several intersections. At 1.2 miles at the intersection with Peralta Hills Trail and Anaheim Hills Trail, turn right to head northeast on Anaheim Hills Trail and follow the ridge. At 1.6 miles, Anaheim Hills Trail will turn off to the right; instead of following the trail, continue straight following the ridge toward Robber's Roost. The summit is off to the south. Take a rest here and have a snack while enjoying the views of the Peralta Hills and Santiago Creek. Once you've rested, hike back down the way you came.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.

Though much of the trail is exposed, Santiago Creek Trail is shaded by oak trees, and in the springtime, there are a few wildflowers that dot the trail. In other parts of the park, hikers may encounter orange groves or groups of ornamental trees.

According to legend, Robber's Roost is so named because many outlaws would rob stagecoaches before escaping back up to the hills.

If you have the time after hiking the trail, there are some interesting places to explore within the park. The Historic Dam Trail leads to a dam that was built in 1879 by the Serrano and Carpenter Water Company. The original dam, made of clay, was destroyed by floods and in 1892 was replaced with another one built of rock and cement.