Experience the San Dieguito River Park

Exploring and interpreting the San Dieguito Watershed from the coast at Del Mar to the crest of Volcan Mountain

The River Park

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The San Dieguito Watershed and the Focused Planning Area

Established in 1989, the San Dieguito River Park is a regional greenway that stretches 55 miles from the ocean between Del Mar to Volcan Mountain near Julian, providing striking examples of San Diego County's natural beauty along the corridor of the San Dieguito River. Located in the San Dieguito Watershed, with about two-thirds of its 92,000-acre Focused Planning Area in public ownership, the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority and its partners aim to protect the sensitive plant communities, wildlife habitat, cultural history, and water resources within the San Dieguito Watershed, and provide compatible recreational opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians on multi-use trails.

Come and explore the River Park... Your big backyard!


The Trail Network

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Coastal Trails

Coastal Trails Interpretive Panels

View location and content, using either the interactive map below or the list on the right side. Click on a panel to enlarge it, and learn something new.

Birds of the San Dieguito Lagoon

Peter Douglas

San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration Project

Urban Runoff Treatment Ponds

Fish of the San Dieguito Lagoon

A View into the Past

Grand Avenue Bridge

San Dieguito Lagoon Pre Restorarion 2004

San Dieguito Lagoon Post Restoration 2012

Dust Devils

Birds of the San Dieguito Lagoon

Peter Douglas

San Dieguito Wetlands Restoration Project

Urban Runoff Treatment Ponds

Fish of the San Dieguito Lagoon

A View into the Past

Grand Avenue Bridge

San Dieguito Lagoon Pre Restorarion 2004

San Dieguito Lagoon Post Restoration 2012

Dust Devils


Valley Trails

Valley Trails Interpretive Panels

View location and content, using either the interactive map below or the list on the right side. Click on a panel to enlarge it, and learn something new. Additionally, a set of interpretive panels along the Piedras Pintadas trail provide insight into the culture and resource management technique of the Kumeyaay who lived in this area.

Hodges Flume

The Harris Site

Invasive Bullfrogs Prey on Native Species

The Geological Setting

Lake Hodges Dam

Rattlesnakes

Bridging Lake Hodges

Stress Ribbon Bridge

Watershed to River to Lake to You

Importance of Our Pollinators

Hodges Flume

The Harris Site

Invasive Bullfrogs Prey on Native Species

The Geological Setting

Lake Hodges Dam

Rattlesnakes

Bridging Lake Hodges

Stress Ribbon Bridge

Watershed to River to Lake to You

Importance of Our Pollinators


Foothill Trails

Pamo Valley Interpretive Panels

View location and content, using either the interactive map below or the list on the right side. Click on a panel to enlarge it, and learn something new.

Emily Durbin

Balancing Recreation with Wildlife Protection

Pamo Valley Early History

Protect Your Watershed

Emily Durbin

Balancing Recreation with Wildlife Protection

Pamo Valley Early History

Protect Your Watershed


Mountain Trails


Planned Trails


Explore the trails throughout the San Dieguito River Park on foot, bike, or horseback. Enjoy the beauty of our native landscapes with your camera or simply take in the sights and sounds of nature. Protect our most valuable natural and cultural resources by becoming a steward of the River Park. Stewardship can take many forms - from volunteering, to advocacy, to membership. Every type of support helps the San Dieguito River Park JPA and its partners accomplish the goals of preservation, interpretation, and public recreation.

Please visit the  San Dieguito River Park website  to learn how you can  volunteer  and/or  donate  for the River Park.