Discover the River

From its majestic and rugged upper reaches, complete with 1000 foot deep gorges and 100 foot waterfalls, to El Monte Valley, an active agricultural area with views of the wonderful granite face of El Cajon Mountain, and through Lakeside, Santee, and the City of San Diego, the San Diego River travels through areas rich in willow and cottonwood forest, freshwater marshes and on to a magnificent coastal estuary.

The River is rich in history and ecological value. It is home to numerous species of wildlife and people who have lived and depended upon it for over 8,000 years. The San Diego River is uniquely positioned to be the focus of a new way of thinking about our relationship to nature and its value for creating sustainable communities with a high quality of life.