Lake Calavera Preserve
Lake Boulevard and Sky Haven Lane, Oceanside, CA 92010
Calavera Preserve is home to Cerro de la Calavera (translated "Skull Hill" and also known as Mount Calavera) which, at 513 feet in elevation, rises modestly above lesser hills and valleys of Oceanside, Vista, and Carlsbad. This is all that remains of a volcano that occupied this site 22 million years ago. It is what is known as a plug, composed of fine-grained basalt that clogged the volcano’s throat. Picturesque Calavera Lake lies at its northern base, and empty lands stretch for some distance east and south. The area is open to all types of nonmotorized activities, including walking, running, and mountain-biking. This rich area includes varied habitats and several rare species.