Since this creek does not flood often, these trees are mixed together here. Along the Santa Margarita River, the live oak is often found along the flood line of the creek, with the other trees inside that flood line. The rest of the view is the famous Southern California chaparral. Hard chaparral of larger woody shrubs, is found mostly on the north-facing slopes, where more water is available. Hard chaparral is often nearly impossible to walk through, but sometimes can be crawled through.
Soft chaparral is made of lower softer shrubs.
The deep shade of trees along Stone Creek at mile 0.37 is cool and refreshing on a hot day. In addition to the visual delights of such a cool retreat away from the sun, the actual temperature is significantly cooler here due to transpiration. The plants of this riparian habitat don't need to be thrifty with their water consumption like their counterparts in the Coastal Sage Scrub and chaparral. Note how much life is supported by this habitat. The streambed itself looks like a jungle in many places.