La Sierra Heights facts for kids
La Sierra Heights, La Sierra Hills, and Norco Hills are cool names for the northern part of a mountain range called the Temescal Mountains. You can find them in the northwestern part of Riverside County, in sunny California!
What Are La Sierra Heights?
These names aren't official, but people use them to talk about a special section of the Temescal Mountains. Think of it like a neighborhood within a bigger town. This area is known for its rolling hills and beautiful views.
Where Can You Find Them?
This part of the mountains starts right by the Santa Ana River on its south side. It stretches southward, acting like a natural border between some cities. To the east, you'll find the city of Riverside. To the west, you'll see the cities of Norco and Corona. It's like these hills are standing guard between them!
There's a natural opening, like a low pass or a "gap," that connects the valleys where these cities are. This gap also separates these hills from Arlington Mountain and the rest of the Temescal Mountain range further south. It's a bit like a natural doorway in the landscape.
How High Are These Hills?
The height of these hills changes quite a bit. The highest point is informally called La Sierra Summit, which is just over 1,500 feet tall. That's about as high as a 150-story building!
Other notable spots include:
- Grape Benchmark, which is 1,084 feet high.
- Hole Benchmark, standing at 1,261 feet.
- Linn Benchmark, almost as high as La Sierra Summit at 1,495 feet.
- The informally named Rattlesnake Peak, reaching 1,421 feet.
These different heights create interesting landscapes and offer various views of the surrounding areas.
