California whitewater, Santa Margarita River San Diego county, Murrieta Creek to Sandia Creek Road section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS IV(V)     9 miles   Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in California are harder than the national norm, so if you're not from around here don't forget that rivers here are less forgiving. The starting location is a reasonable drive from San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way there are not     so many other good places for that around here. If you'll be staying in a hotel you're in luck, lodging is available very near the river, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. Getting some good exercise and just being out on the river for a while will make you glad you came. The beautiful scenery of California and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream have people coming here. The river winds through the Santa Ana Mountains and you get great scenery. This is a pretty decent length section, good for a one day paddling trip. There are a few other sections in this river system that can be paddled as well.   This stretch of Santa Margarita River in California is 9 miles long and is according to American Whitewater a class IV(V) section of whitewater. There's camping available near Santa Margarita River. Briefly about the general area: You'll meet a lot of people from Fallbrook here; if the weather is good, you can go for a hike along the Magee Trail. You'll truly wish for more hours in a day to enjoy all the exciting stuff in the Santa Ana Mountains. Summertime at Santa Margarita River comes with high temperatures in the 90's, and during summer nights temperatures are in the 60's. Santa Margarita River, Murrieta Creek to Sandia Creek Road road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Santa Margarita River.   Whitewater Near Santa Margarita River: Santa Margarita River, San Diego County, 4 miles away       Class IV(V) - 9 miles long (Murrieta Creek to Sandia Creek Road) Escondido Creek, San Diego County, 22 miles away       Class III-IV - 6.6 miles long (San Elijo Canyon: Elfin Forest Preserve to Camino Del NoRoute Road) Los Penasquitos Creek, San Diego County, 30 miles away       Class III+(V+) - 9 miles long (I-15 to I-5)   Ski Areas Near Santa Margarita River: Snow Valley, California , 46 miles away, 1041 foot drop, 11 lifts, 30 runs Snow Summit, California , 50 miles away, 1200 foot drop, 14 lifts, 31 runs Bear Mountain, California , 51 miles away, 1665 foot drop, 12 lifts, 34 runs Mt. Baldy, California , 56 miles away, 2100 foot drop, 4 lifts, 28 runs Mountain High, California , 64 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 16 lifts, 62 runs Ski Sunrise, California , 64 miles away, 816 foot drop, 4 lifts, 24 runs Mt Waterman, California , 67 miles away, 1300 foot drop, 3 lifts, 10 runs   Marinas Near Santa Margarita River: Elsinore West Marina and Campground, Lake Elsinore , 18 miles away Lake Elsinore West Marina and RV Park, Lake Elsinore , 18 miles away Snug Harbor Marina, Carlsbad , 20 miles away Diamond Valley Lake, Hemet , 20 miles away   Beaches Near Santa Margarita River: Oceanside City Beach, San Diego , 20 miles away Harbor Beach, San Diego , 20 miles away South Oceanside Beach, San Diego , 20 miles away Saint Malo Beach, San Diego , 20 miles away   Hotels Near Santa Margarita River: Ramada Temecula Old Town, Temecula , 4 miles away Hampton Inn - Suites Temecula, Temecula , 4 miles away Rodeway Inn Temecula, Temecula , 4 miles away SpringHill Suites Temecula Valley Wine Country, Temecula , 4 miles away Embassy Suites Temecula Valley Wine Country, Temecula , 4 miles away   Campgrounds Near Santa Margarita River: Pechanga RV Resort, Temecula, 9 miles away Fallbrook Kamp Retreat, Fallbrook, 9 miles away Champagne Lakes RV Resort, Escondido, 10 miles away   Trails Near Santa Margarita River: Magee Trail, San Diego , 13 miles away,  6 hiking miles, 2173 feet elevation difference Mission Trail, San Diego , 16 miles away, 5.6 hiking miles, 5446 feet elevation difference Morgan Trail, Riverside , 17 miles away, 2.4 hiking miles, 712 feet elevation difference Gomez Trail, San Diego , 18 miles away,  11 hiking miles, 4309 feet elevation difference Clark Trail, San Diego , 18 miles away,  7.2 hiking miles, 1415 feet elevation difference Clark Trail, Riverside , 20 miles away,  4.8 hiking miles, 877 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near Santa Margarita River: Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego - CA , 41 miles away Carlsbad State Beach, California , 20 miles away Palomar Mountain State Park, California , 20 miles away San Pasqual Battlefield State Park, California , 23 miles away   Golf Courses Near Santa Margarita River: Cross Creek Golf Course, Temecula , 4 miles away Fallbrook Golf Club, Fallbrook , 6 miles away Temeku Hills Golf Club, Temecula , 7 miles away   Lakes Near Santa Margarita River Skinner Reservoir, Riverside , 12 miles away Canyon Lake, Riverside , 14 miles away Pechstein Reservoir, San Diego , 15 miles away