Bosque del Rio Hondo (Spanish for “Forest of the Deep River”) was built by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in 1994. Also known by regulars as “Marrano Beach,” it is used as a recreational area by the local community.
This beautiful park sits on 12 acres within the 1,492-acre Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. Bosque del Rio Hondo is a lush and wild natural area with excellent bird watching in the riparian wetlands.
The original San Gabriel Mission was established near this site in 1771, and in 1775 after a flood and fire, the mission was relocated to its present location above the floodplain in today’s City of San Gabriel.
Like other areas behind this flood protection dam, the site features a relatively natural mission creek, which in addition to the Rio Hondo. The site also features seasonal creeks. It is also abundant with wildlife and used by the public for picnics, biking and hiking because it provides access to Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River bicycle paths.
