Creating a Better Future for the San Diego River
Today, the San Diego River can be seen as a green ribbon winding its way through steep valleys, agricultural lands, industrial areas, residential developments, and dense urban settings as it journeys from the hills and mountains near Julian and Santa Ysabel to the Pacific Ocean.
Its signature Cottonwood and Willow trees mark much of the River’s course as it travels approximately 52 miles. The River is rich in history and ecological value. It’s also the namesake waterway of the San Diego region, and 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.
Our vision is to protect and enhance these valuable resources, encourage communities to embrace this legacy, and celebrate the River with the creation of a park system the length of the river.
The San Diego River Park will offer a variety of opportunities that reflect the communities the River travels through in a unified system of parks, trails, and open space. Community plazas, public art, educational facilities, outdoor experiences for trail users, and even wilderness opportunities will all be featured. The green ribbon can serve to Connect and unify the local landscape, Create a source of local pride for generations to come, and Conserve our natural spaces.
San Diego River Park Conceptual Plan - Read the Plan
The Conceptual Plan was developed through a series of community meetings hosted by The San Diego River Park Foundation. It was finalized in 2002. The River Park Foundation contracted with the Graduate Landscape Architecture Program at Cal Poly Pomona to write the Plan after more than a dozen community meetings which were held from Julian to Ocean Beach. The project was made possible by grants from the State of California and The San Diego Foundation.
Regional San Diego River Trail - Learn More
Explore Sections along the San Diego River:
Headwaters
Lakeside
City of Santee
City of San Diego
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