Sycamore Creek Interpretive Center  will  be open on Fridays and Saturdays. Any Fridays or Saturdays that we will need to close or have modified hours, will be posted to our Facebook page and website. See below for our monthly calendar.  Please check our website and Facebook page for updates. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your patience as we deal with staffing shortages and additional staff commitments. 

The mission of Sycamore Creek Interpretive Center is to cultivate environmental understanding and stewardship through engaging educational experiences that empower all of us to live more sustainably.  

The center is a re-purposed model home trailer, which originally served as the sales office for Sycamore Creek housing development. Our building houses indoor exhibits, displays, nature based learning activities and touch tables to inspire curiosity and engage both young and old in scientific thought and discovery. Staff is continuously developing educational programming about the local flora, fauna, ecosystem interactions, and the Santa Ana River Watershed. School programming, community workshops, and summer programs for youth are also available.

Please contact the center or follow us on Facebook (SCICTV) for more information.

Center Calendar

Sycamore Creek Preserve

Sycamore Creek Interpretive Center is situated on Sycamore Creek Preserve, which offers inspiring views of the Santa Ana Mountains and the Cleveland National Forest. The preserve functions as a critical corridor between the national forest and the Estelle Mountains. The SCIC provides information about Sycamore Creek Preserve, which is part of a conservation easement held by the RCRCD. This easement is part of the RCRCD's continuing efforts to conserve and protect our natural resources. 

The preserve is home to a variety of habitats including a riparian corridor with a flood control sediment basin. From our deck visitors can view the seasonal Indian Creek, which drains into Temescal Wash, a major tributary to the Santa Ana River. In addition to riparian habitat, the preserve is comprised of other sensitive habitats, such as southern oak woodland, coastal sage scrub and chaparral. These habitats offer refuge to many species of flora and fauna, some of which are rare or endangered. Both the rare Munz’s Onion and California Gnatcatcher have been observed in the upland habitats. Focused monitoring of vegetative cover, species diversity and wildlife help staff assess the health of the preserve and reach long term management goals. 

About Us

Hours:

Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-3pm. (Closed holidays)

Sycamore Creek Interpretive Center is open on Fridays and Saturdays. We are closed on all major holidays. Any Fridays or Saturdays we will need to be closed or have modified hours, will be posted on our monthly calendar. Please check our website and Facebook page for updates. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your patience as we deal with staffing shortages. 

Sycamore Creek Interpretive Center Flyer

Location:

11875 Indian Truck Trail

Temescal Valley, CA 92883 

Find us directly off the Indian Truck Trail exit of the 15 fwy, at the intersection of Indian Truck Trail and Campbell Ranch Rd. Look for the boulder lined driveway.

Contact:

SCIC@rcrcd.org

Interpretive Center-(951) 277-0219 (line currently unavailable, please call main office)

RCRCD Main Office-(951) 683-7691 ext. 218