James Facilities

The James Reserve is a modern research and teaching facility with various buildings for administration, housing and teaching activities. The James Reserve also has an automated weather station as well as a flux tower and remote solar nodes to aid the research activities conducted on and around the Reserve. We have several trails that aid in accessing the Reserve as well as the surrounding Forest Service Land. All the buildings, except Lolomi Lodge, which is the private residence of the Director, are open to the users of the Reserve. Included is a newly remodeled cabin/interpretive center and picnic area for socializing. Take a virtual tour of our facilities to see if they would meet your research, teaching, or outreach needs.

Trailfinder Lodge: Reserve Office plus meeting room and dormitory.

Cook Shed and interpretive center

Wet lab facility of the classroom

Kitchen facility in our dormitory cabins

Lolomi Lodge: Private residence of Director

Kitchen facility in Trailfinders Lodge

Automatic nest box allows monitoring of nesting activity

Bathroom facility of our ADA equiped cabin

Interior of our classroom facility

Trailhead for 4-Saints trail

Picnic area for socializing

Automated weather station at the James

Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the Reserve.
Open fires are limited to the barbecues
No Pets are permitted on the Reserve.
You are responsible for cleaning up after yourselves.
Please conserve electricity by turning off all lights when not in use, especially the bathrooms.
Please minimize use of water as it takes electricity to pump the water.
Except when unloading, all vehicles are to be parked in the lower parking area (see map).
Both Reserve gates are to remain locked at all times.

The James San Jacinto Mountains and Oasis de los Osos Reserves are a part of the University of California’s Natural Reserve System’s 39 protected biological field stations that are dedicated to supporting research, teaching and public service. The James and los Osos represent two distinctly different ecosystems within the San Jacinto Mountains located in southern California.

The James Reserve is part of a large forested “sky island” located on the western side of Mt. San Jacinto mountains, a range that is surrounded by the Colorado Desert. In contrast, the Oasis de los Osos Reserve is located on the lower north side of the San Jacintos and lies within the Colorado Desert with the dominant vegetation being desert shrubs and grasses.

The station facilities are located at the James Reserve and have the capacity to house over 70 people in new modern dorms and a classroom, all equipped with cooking facilities, bathroom facilities, and wireless internet.