Learn about current park closures and updates.
11/15/24
Join us beginning Friday, Nov. 29 for Green Friday – a celebration of all-things-parks at County facilities across the region. Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to experience the outdoors in new ways while friends and family are in town. More...
08/28/24
Close to housing communities and schools, the future site of 9-acre Calavo County Park – off Calavo Drive near Jamacha Boulevard in Spring Valley – is the ideal location for a wide variety of recreational amenities. More...
08/28/24
For the second year, we are partnering with Nature Unplugged to support their October Hike-A-Thon by hosting and helping to coordinate their Kick-Off event plus four ranger-guided hikes at popular trails across San Diego. More...
09/04/24
Hawktober is back for a sixth year – our annual celebration of the raptors that live and migrate through the San Diego region (namely hawks). Throughout the month, we host workshops highlighting these majestic species at parks, campgrounds and wilderness preserves in north, east and south county. More...
09/06/24
We're excited to announce a new educational partnership with the Anza-Borrego Foundation, focused on the species, habitats and watershed connectivity between the mountains, desert and coast. More...
Sometimes we close parks because of rain, to complete maintenance projects, for safety purposes, or to add a new amenity. Scroll down to see what's open and to view other helpful information.
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07/24/24
Temperatures are hitting triple digits in parts of San Diego County. This happens every year, and we respond by planning more activities at night, activating our nature and community centers as Cool Zones, and temporarily closing several parks. More...
07/19/24
On Monday, July 22, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer will join County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation Director Brian Albright at Waterfront Park to officially open a new active recreation area. More...
05/07/24
The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation is opening a new park in 4S Ranch: Four Gee County Park. An event to commemorate the occasion has been scheduled for 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the park, located at 16964 Four Gee Road, San Diego, CA 92127. More...
04/15/24
With ranger-led hikes, nature programs, animal encounters, Story Trails and volunteer events, we have planned dozens of environmentally friendly activities for you to enjoy outside this Earth Day, Week and Month! More...
03/05/24
We're filling our spring calendar with a fun mix of family activities, from a creative craft fair and vibrant spring festival to ample opportunities to hunt for eggs, enjoy breakfast and take photos with a famous bunny. Here’s a list of pastel-decorated holiday happenings you’re sure to want to hop to this March and April. More...
12/27/23
The new year brings with it an abundance of fresh opportunities for you to visit County parks and get involved in the free programs and services offered that are offered through our diverse recreation facilities. More...
12/13/23
On Sunday, Dec. 10, the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (County Parks) team hosted a grand opening event for Dianne Jacob Lakeside Equestrian Park. More...
11/30/23
The happiest of holidays are spent in sunny San Diego where blue skies and fair weather dominate the forecasts, while fallen leaves and cool breezes remind us that winter is still here. More...
Join us Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, from 12 to 4 p.m., at 11055 Moreno Ave. in Lakeside for the grand opening of Dianne Jacob Lakeside Equestrian Park. Along with opportunities to tour the park, guests can attend ribbon-cutting and welcome ceremony events, an arena show, and participate in other all-ages activities! More...
10/02/23
Now in its fifth year, our annual celebration of local birds of prey – Hawktober – is coming to 18 parks across San Diego County. Attend a free workshop to meet hawks, owls and falcons that are part of our animal ambassador program! More...
08/29/23
To encourage more people to spend quality time outside – wherever and whenever they can – we're partnering with Nature Unplugged to host ranger-led hikes during their October 2023 Hike-a-Thon. More...
No tricks here - it’s all about treats when you visit a County park in October. From fall festivals with costume contests to spooky trails and movies after dark, we’ve brewed a magical cauldron brimming with park memories that are sure to get a hoot, howl or holler from your inner monster. More...
08/15/23
From late summer to early fall, DPR conservatively opens a 6-mile out-and-back trail in a secluded part of the Ramona Grasslands, named the Old Survey Road 97 Trail. More...
Hit the trails for our Ride On Mountain Biking Challenge! This multi-agency project explores popular trails at County parks and preserves, with beginner and intermediate options. Ride solo, with a group or with experts at planned meetups. More...
08/24/23
At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, County officials will break ground on new sports courts, a dog park, seating and accessible paths at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego. More...
08/01/23
It’s August, and temperatures are hitting triple digits in parts of San Diego County. This happens every year, and we prepare for the heat by planning fewer daytime and more nighttime activities, activating our nature and community centers as Cool Zones, and by temporarily closing several parks. More...
07/03/23
Experience the Outdoors launched in 2022 as a way to improve awareness of, and to boost equity, inclusivity and accessibility in, park programs. Part of the Board of Supervisors State of the County Address, it's an action plan for regional recreation. More...
04/11/23
Every day is Earth Day at the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation. But once a year – on April 22, Earth Day – we join a nationwide movement of agencies, organizations and people, to participate in eco-friendly volunteer projects, nature-themed education events and outdoor enrichment opportunities. More...
02/01/23
Join us as we pay tribute to two centuries of farming, ranching, learning and living local! On Saturday, Feb. 11, we will be celebrating the bicentennial of Los Penasquitos Ranch House. More...
10/19/22
Within the County of San Diego’s Sustainability initiative is the goal to preserve, protect, maintain and cultivate natural environments where residents, visitors and future generations can spend quality time outside. More...
11/23/22
Help us help San Diegans in need by donating unopened food at one of our parks. This is part of a larger County-wide drive to collect 4,000 pounds of food! More...
11/14/22
Join us Friday, Nov. 25 for a region-wide celebration of outdoor spaces on a holiday we call Green Friday. Morning, noon and night, our staff have planned 10 special events at parks across San Diego, where you can learn about, enjoy and give back to nature. More...
11/15/22
The County of San Diego is currently seeking bids for operators of a new equestrian property in Lakeside, CA – slated for completion in Summer 2023. More...
10/01/22
Throughout the month of October, we celebrate our local birds of prey, their amazing adaptations and the important roles they play in the wild via 17 live shows at parks across San Diego. More...
06/30/22
Happy Parks and Recreation Month! This is one of our favorite times of the year, made even better in 2022 with the launch of an Experience the Outdoors Program and three additional campaigns to boost park awareness and to provide more inclusive, equitable and accessible park experiences. More...
The diversity in our park system makes it possible to spend the morning at the coast, the afternoon in the valley and the evening in the mountains or desert. Every one of our properties has a story to tell, and an extensive list of features. More...
Being a beginner is better than an expert in this new series dedicated to sharing recreation tips, tricks and best practices. Our knowledgeable staff are eager to provide you with the info you need to feel confident in the great outdoors. More...
03/25/22
San Diego is a biodiversity hotspot, and the daily actions of the County Parks and Recreation team help to safeguard our region's native plants and trees, air and water quality, and unique habitats for hundreds of species. More...
04/05/22
Eggs-cuse me? Are you looking for springtime activities to get the family outdoors? “Chick” us out! County Parks and Recreation has six “Egg-citing” Spring events lined up, to help you celebrate the new season. More...
03/09/22
In conjunction with other agencies and under the leadership of County Supervisor Joel Anderson, County Parks and Recreation has launched a new survey to gauge public interest in recreation amenities and offerings at our region’s reservoirs. More...
03/09/22
The San Diego River stretches 52 miles from its headwaters in the Cuyamaca Mountains near Julian to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. The County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is involved in efforts to preserve, restore and enhance the San Diego River and surrounding areas with regional conservancies, cities, foundations, land use developers and others. One of these efforts is to create a continuous trail along the San Diego River to provide residents and visitors with an opportunity to explore and appreciate this unique resource. This is the San Diego River Park and Trail project. More...
11/12/21
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2020-2021 Parks and Recreation Champion Awards program: Lesley Handa, Greg Schuett, Marisa Paige Butler, Karen Ogden, and Mark DeGraffenreid! More...
10/14/21
Are you ready for eerily entertaining experiences in parks? You’ve come to the right place! The County Parks and Recreation team has planned 10 ghoulishly great events to celebrate the Halloween season. More...
09/10/21
We’re proud to announce the call for nominations for our fifth annual Parks and Recreation Champion Awards! Recipients of these awards are people who have made a difference in local parks, preserves and community programs, throughout San Diego. More...
10/01/21
We’re back with 14 events at parks across San Diego, where you can meet live birds of prey like hawks, owls and falcons – thanks to expert staff, rehabilitated raptors and a vibrant animal ambassador program. More...
We’re joining nearly a thousand organizations in 192 countries across the globe to celebrate Earth Day 2021! This year’s theme is “Together, we will restore our earth.”
The theme is based on a concept that rejects the idea that our only options to save the planet are to mitigate or adapt to the impacts of climate change and other environmental damage. More...
On Saturday, July 17, 2021, we’re celebrating the 101st birthday of Live Oak County Park! The event, which runs from 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. includes a day full of activities that are sure to appease visitors of all ages and interests. More...
We’ve designed a new web portal for teens to foster better park knowledge, visitation and participation in park events! Park-ology is a free, cloud-based education tool designed to teach teens, ages 14 to 18, about the parks and recreation industry. More...
We’re back with new movies, new parks and a refreshing twist on outdoor movie screenings. Summer Movies in the Park is launching in 2021 as a hybrid series with showings on lawns, from cars and online via a secret access code. These changes align with public health guidelines and add variety to the movie calendar… so you can truly choose your own movie adventure! More...
Join us April 28 as we open two state-of-the-art park amenities in south San Diego County: A campground at Tijuana River Valley Regional Park and the Greg Cox Bike Park in Chula Vista – part of Otay Valley Regional Park. More...
Our Tour Our Trails Challenge. is comprised of 15 hikes, highlighting some of rangers' favorite hiking destinations in San Diego. The progressive series begins with five easy trails, moves into five that are intermediate and finishes with five that are considered tough - with prizes along the way!
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The County is working to protect the public's health in the face of COVID-19 by taking actions to help slow the spread of the virus. Parks and preserves remain open, though some on-site amenities have been closed for your protection. More...
Women’s Month celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women – challenging biases and misconceptions to create a more inclusive, gender-equal world. More...
On the day after Thanksgiving, County Parks encourages San Diegans to swap shopping plans for outdoor experiences. We celebrate the 'upside of outside' with family-friendly activities in parks and preserves across the region, on a holiday we’ve coined Green Friday! More...
The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) conducts a needs assessment survey every 5 years to help us understand trends within the community– giving us insight on what amenities can be improved, and what we should plan for in the future. More...
07/15/20
This Friday, Live Oak County Park turns 100! To celebrate this milestone, we’re waiving day-use parking fees at the park for the entire weekend – Friday through Sunday, July 17 to 19, 2020.
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07/29/20
Six San Diego County parks will be closed in August, a safety measure taken each year because of the month’s typically high temperatures. El Capitan Preserve near Lakeside, Hellhole Canyon Preserve in Valley Center, Mt. Gower Preserve near Ramona and Wilderness Gardens in Pala will be closed Aug. 1 through Aug. 31. In addition, Agua Caliente Regional Park in Anza Borrego and Vallecito County Park near Julian are closed all summer; they reopen Labor Day weekend.
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07/02/20
After a decade of celebrating the summertime with film screenings at hundreds of park locales, our program was put to a halt due to COVID-19 measures. While we plan on welcoming our guests back in 2021, we have revamped our program this season so that movie-goers like you can attend our events virtually from the comfort of your own home.
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06/11/20
Children day-camps are back, just in time for summer! Fallbrook and Spring Valley Community Centers are offering four weekly programs, providing kids with the opportunity to socialize, play and build self-confidence. Each week focuses on a different topic, such as sports, science, arts and crafts, and more. Advanced registration is required.
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06/10/20
Public Health Officials have relaxed restrictions on County campgrounds. Beginning Friday, June 12, nearly all our campsites that were previously closed due to COVID-19 will now be open – including cabins.
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05/01/20
Communication has changed in the wake of COVID-19. Activities and events that were once face-to-face are now virtual, via video conferencing technology, Facebook Live and other online channels.
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05/29/20
After more than a decade of free, family-friendly movies in parks after dark, our Summer Movies in the Park program will take a brief break. This is a temporary measure due to COVID-19, and one that will allow us to brainstorm ideas to make the 2021 season bigger and better than ever!
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04/17/20
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Join us the week of April 22 as we pay tribute to decades of projects that promote sustainability, smart growth and the protection of our land and local wildlife.
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03/29/20
How well do you know your San Diego County parks and preserves? Find out when you participate in our first-ever shelter-in-place trivia competition!
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02/05/20
We’re poised to welcome big wins in resource conservation, with audacious goals and a regional vision that envelopes hundreds of native plant, tree and animal species.
Now in its 23rd year, the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) works across political boundaries – providing a partner list and action plan for County-wide conservation efforts.
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02/25/20
San Diego is a biodiversity hotspot. In fact, 85 species are covered under the South County Subarea Plan of the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP). The North County Plan is drafted, and the East County Plan is proposed – but each will list their own set of species and habitats that DPR can, and should, protect.
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02/19/20
Outdoor play is essential to children’s physical, social and cognitive development. Unfortunately, not all play areas are created equal, and multi-structural playgrounds can be a challenge for children struggling with mobility issues.
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01/04/20
On Saturday, Jan. 4, the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation with County Supervisor Greg Cox opened the region's first bike skills park: Sweetwater Bike Park in Bonita.
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12/17/19
On Saturday, Dec. 14, County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation opened a new Nature Center in Santa Ysabel.
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08/19/19
The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) recently launched a new program: Women in the Wild.
This unique approach to programming is in direct response to industry research, which shows women are interested – and see value – in outdoor experiences, but various barriers stand in their way of enjoying nature as often as men. DPR aims to reverse that trend.
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Today, kids are spending more time looking at screens and less time looking up, exploring the great outdoors. Studies have shown that kids spend an average of 7.65 hours per day “plugged in” – and only 7 minutes per day in unstructured outdoor play. Over time, these habits can take a toll on children’s mental and physical health, leading to problems like emotional distress, anxiety – even obesity.
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Only 38 percent of San Diego County residents have an emergency plan, according to a recent study conducted by the Office of Emergency Services. That means more than half of our population may not be ready to deal with serious situations where communications are limited and basic services like electricity, gas, water and phones are cut off.
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December is here, and County Parks and Recreation has eight events that are sure to spark some holiday spirit. Festivities kick off with a traditional tree lighting ceremony in Fallbrook, followed by plenty of meet-and-greets with Santa Claus across the County.
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Presented by Rose SD Realty, Summer Movies in the Park is the largest free, outdoor movie series in San Diego – and this year is no exception. The 2019 season is jam-packed with action and adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror and romance!
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Celebrate International Picnic Day with a nice meal in the great outdoors! Here are a few secret picnic spots across San Diego County, as recommended by our very own park rangers.
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We're adding a bike park to our list of park amenities at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park. Designed in collaboration with the cyclist community, the park will offer a variety of trails and special features to appeal to riders of all skill levels.
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Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Parks and Recreation Champion Awards! Six honorees received accolades at the fourth annual event, which took place Thursday, July 11 at Heritage County Park.
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In Spring 2019, County Parks will be opening a community garden at Sweetwater Summit Regional Park. The garden will include approximately 200 reservable plots - available in two popular sizes.
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04/22/19
Please join us for a very special celebration as we commemorate 5 years of service to the San Diego Community! Waterfront Park’s 5-year anniversary celebration is slated to take place from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 10.
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In honor of Earth Month, we’re selling postcards representing some of our most popular parks and preserves. Each set contains 12 custom-designed postcards featuring imagery, information and space to share your park experiences. More...
The Butterfly Garden at San Dieguito County Park opened to the public in May 2018. Located at the Northern end of the lower park, the garden is home to an assortment of blooming plants that attract a number of butterflies, hummingbirds and bees, daily.
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Summertime is here, along with some pretty warm temperatures. If you aim to hike in one of San Diego’s inland areas, it’s important to know the risks so you can plan ahead. More...
In celebration of July as National Parks and Recreation Month, and in the spirit of environmental stewardship and promoting healthy active lifestyles, we hosted our annual Parks and Recreation Champion Awards banquet on July 11, 2018 at Heritage County Park.
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Whether you’re a local-history aficionado or your only familiarity with the term "parks and recreation" is from a TV sitcom, we've published a brand new book highlighting 100 years of park history!
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You can now access 10 County parks and preserves via a new version of Google Street View that takes users off-roading, on trails, in outdoor spaces across the U.S., from the comfort of their computer screen.
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You may have noticed the signs along the interstate, or at trailheads in areas surrounding the San Elijo Lagoon. In conjunction with Caltrans, SANDAG, Transnet, North County Transit District, 511, California Fish and Wildlife, and the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, County Parks is gearing up for improved access along the north coast corridor. More...
On Aug. 30, County Parks and Recreation participated in workshop to discuss the status of species preservation in San Diego. Nearly 200 people attended the event at the Ocean Air Recreation Center, representing local government agencies, community groups, volunteers and residents.
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On Tuesday, July 18, we inducted a new list of distinguished honorees to our Park Champions hall of fame! Congratulations to our winner, Barbara Wallach, and to all four of our finalists: Sheila Alston, Patty Morton, Jennifer Palkovic and Mike Thacker.
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Bring snacks and plenty of water when you hike any of the County’s 350+ miles of trails. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next outdoor excursion. Plan ahead for maximum enjoyment! More...
Give your body what it needs when you plan on hitting the trails in our parks and preserves. Here are some tips on what to eat and drink, both before a hike and after you're done. More...
We connected with Scott Turner, outdoor enthusiast, Modern Hiker contributor and co-author for the next edition of Afoot & Afield in San Diego County (hitting shelves this March!) to get a short list of trails to try in the new year. Here are his recommendations, by month, at parks and preserves across San Diego. We hope you will join him, and the rest of the County Parks team, as we “take a hike” in 2017! More...
That’s right; we’re reopening the boat launch at Lake Morena County Park. For several years, the boat launch was closed to the public due to low water levels. Now, thanks to recent rains, the reservoir is high enough to meet boats and the end of the launch for safe entry. More...
We’re proud to announce a new partnership between the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation and Fox Sports San Diego. Dollars generated through this new partnership support things like capital improvements, park updates and other high-priority projects that benefit local recreation and preservation efforts. More...
On Saturday, June 11, the County celebrated the grand opening of a newly restored 22.5 mile trail system for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians at Tijuana River Valley Regional Park (TRVRP). More...
On Thursday, March 14, 2017, County Parks coordinated a public workshop to gather input on a new trail plan for Otay Valley. About 70 people attended the event including local residents, business owners, partner organizations and County staff.
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05/15/20
The County is working to protect the public's health in the face of COVID-19 by taking actions to help slow the spread of the virus. Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions with answers.
Check back regularly as guidelines change, based on the dynamic nature of this situation.
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Looking for a fun challenge to get you outside and moving? We’ve got just the one for you! Discover some of the best trails that Ramona has to offer by participating in the Ramona Hiking Challenge.
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