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Monte Vista Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 92 Google reviews · Running trail in Rancho Santa Margarita, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Monte Vista Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Casual, clean green space, also featuring playgrounds for kids and soccer fields, plus a pool and basketball courts.
What runners say about Monte Vista Park
“I have played soccer with my friends and family for 5 years here it's a nice clean park for the kids and family”
Good park adjacent to the Urban Trail. Water fountain next to the tennis courts and basketball court. Perfect trees for hammocks! Not much traffic. Cute dogs sometimes!
Monte Vista Park is incredibly spacious and well-developed—perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities. Whether you're playing soccer, football, or baseball, or even just casually tossing a football or baseball around, there’s plenty of room to enjoy.
This park is nice and open it has two separate tennis courts , a full size basketball court , a jungle gym for kids nice sized for plenty of pretending to be a pirate , an astronaut, or a mountain climber . It has shaded areas with built in BBQs and dog friendly . It also has a large pool heated yearround .
Trail conditions & character
“and the parking is sufficient but I imagine it might be a little crowded on a weekend or holiday.”
“It’s also great for walking, walking your dog, and spending quality time with your family.”
“Excellent sports fields, playground and publicly accesible restrooms by the pool entrance.”
“Water fountain next to the tennis courts and basketball court.”
Plan your run at Monte Vista Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesamlarc.org
- Phone(949) 770-6011
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Rancho Santa Margarita
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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