Recreation Areas

After the Grant Family generously donated 17 acres of land, The San Diego River Park Foundation and our community worked on plans to turn the abandoned sand mining pit into an exciting new nature education and eco-park in the heart of Mission Valley. The dream turned into a reality. Grant Park is scheduled to open Summer of 2025!

The 51-acre Mission Valley Preserve is located at the west end of the Mission Valley, and includes riparian and estuarine wildlife habitat for species such as the endangered least Bell's vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher. Work is ongoing to restore native plants and provide habitat for animals. The Preserve has a native plant garden and interpretive area for visitors to enjoy.

At the end of Eagle Peak Road are amazing views of the River gorge and Mildred Falls. Hike (with a required USFS permit) 3 miles down to beautiful Cedar Creek Falls.

The falls are also accessible via the Thornbush trailhead from San Diego Country Estates:

15531 Thornbush Road
Ramona, CA 92065
map link

Located between Julian and Santa Ysabel, this preserve is ideal for hiking and mountain biking and its internal trail system totals approximately 20 miles.

High above the headwaters of the San Diego River, the viewpoint at Inaja is a short ½ mile hike from the road, and looks south and west down the wild and beautiful San Diego River Gorge. Deep in this canyon, the San Diego River begins its journey to the Ocean.

The San Diego River Park Foundation’s first preserve is one of those special places that can be transformational for many. It is a place of rare beauty that is matched by its natural, recreational and cultural resources.

Just below El Capitan Reservoir, the River enters a beautiful agricultural and equestrian valley which is home to El Monte County Park. The park is a terrific place for a family picnic and affords wonderful views.

Maintained by Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy, this park has a lovely 2 mile trail that runs from Riverside Drive to Channel Road on the northern bank of the San Diego River.

Mast Park provides opportunities to stroll along the River, as well as enjoy the developed portion of the park with basketball, playgrounds, dog park, disc golf, and picnic areas. Mast Park is also a summertime home for the least Bell's vireo, an endangered songbird which is making a comeback along the River.

At more than 6,000 acres, Mission Trails Regional Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It is a wilderness within a city, full of wondrous vistas and close-up glimpses of native plants and animals. The park surrounds the San Diego River as it passes through Mission Gorge. MTRP is a naturalist's and hiker's paradise, and any visit should include a walk, ride, or slow drive from the Visitor's Center along Junipero Serra Trail to Old Mission Dam, a distance of about 2.5 miles.

When the River passes beneath Interstate 5, it enters the City of San Diego's Mission Bay Park. At this point, its meandering route to the Pacific Ocean takes it through the Southern Wildlife Preserve. The Preserve is part of the River’s estuary - you may view many migrating bird species as they make their journeys along the Pacific Flyway, as well as permanent residents of the marshes.  There are bicycle and walking trails on both the north and south sides of the river, providing superb bird viewing and photography opportunities.

The Famosa Slough is a 37-acre wetland between Ocean Beach and the San Diego Sports Arena area. The slough is an excellent place for bird watching or just going on a relaxing walk through nature.

Dog Beach can be found where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. This is a popular recreation area as well as an excellent and accessible location for experiencing some of Southern California’s increasingly rare coastal wetlands.