Park Updates
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.
Weather-related Park Closures
Temporary Closures
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Agua Caliente County Park: The
outdoor family pool heater is not functional at this time. Repairs
are estimated to be completed by the afternoon of Wednesday, April
2.
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Eastview
County Park : The Splash Pad will be
temporarily closed during the winter season.
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Hilton
Head County Park: The Splash Pad may close at any time
to meet chemical level requirements required by the County
Department of Environmental Health.
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Oakoasis
County Preserve: In an effort to improve drinking water
onsite, the small water system has been shut down for a maintenance
project. Potable drinking water is not available while work is
taking place, and sinks, drinking fountains and showers are not in
operation. Please bring enough water for both drinking and washing
purposes. Toilets, however, remain operational. Thank you for your
patience while we work to improve your park experience.
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Potrero County
Park: A Boil Water Order for Potrero County Park was issued
by the State Water Resource Control Board, Division of Drinking
Water on March 18, 2025, and is effective immediately. Drinking
fountains and restrooms are currently closed, but portable restroom
facilities are available for use at the park. There is no drinking
water on site, so please plan ahead by bringing your own drinking
water. Boil Water Orders go into effect when bacteria is found in
the water source during routine testing. We are currently working to
treat the water and make necessary repairs to correct the issue.
When the water tests clean, the Order will be lifted. This process
may take several weeks or months, depending on the issue. Please
contact park staff or visit sdparks.org for updates.
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San
Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Nature Center: Gemma
Loop Trails will be temporarily closed Monday, April 14 from 7:30
A.M. to 2:30 P.M.
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Santa
Ysabel East: Due to a schedule maintenance, Santa Ysabel
East will closed blosed until 10AM, April 23. Please contact the Santa
Ysabel Nature Center for questions about this
closure.
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Tijuana
River Valley Regional Park: A phased reopening of the campground
will begin starting on April 1, 2025. Our ten yurts and campsites
1-13 (back in sites for RVs or tents) will be the first reservable
spaces to open for overnight stays. Some amenities like the bocce
ball court, cornhole and horseshoe pits will remain closed for
repairs along with the remaining campsites, including equestrian
campsites. Sherwood Trail, Vireo Trail (west of Hollister St.),
and Cathedral Trail are closed. Visitors may experience some noise
and dust while this work is being completed. Learn more about the
Tijuana River Valley Regional Park
Campground
reopening . For the latest
available campsites, please visit our online
reservation system .
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Waterfront
Park: The Fountains are temporarily off due to a long-term
maintenance project; please check back for updates. Park is also
closed on Saturday, April 5 for a special event. Please see
Waterfront Park page for more information.
County Park Fees: Effective Feb. 18, some fees
for services at San Diego County parks will increase, slightly, to
offset other costs and provide resources for ongoing maintenance
projects, educational programs and nature experiences.
View the detailed
list of fees and FAQs document.
Hours: County Parks are open year-round, however, per policy
C-7, parking lot gates, park offices and restrooms will be closed on
Dec. 25. All sites remain open to foot, horse and bike traffic. In
addition, campgrounds remain open and will be in full operation with
available parking, restrooms and staffed park offices on Dec. 25.
County Parks Cool Zones: During
major heat events, several of our facilities serve as Cool Zones. All
facilities are closed Dec. 25 unless otherwise noted.
Electric Bikes (e-bikes): The Department allows the use of
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on various bicycle paths and trails at
County parks/preserves, some locations have restrictions. Learn
more information.
Pesticides:
Below is a list of
locations that will receive pesticide applications to prevent and
control infestations of, and tree mortality as a result of, invasive
insects. Signs will be posted in spray areas. Those areas will
remain closed while spraying is taking place, and until it is safe
to reenter the area. Thank you for your understanding as we work to
protect our tree canopy.
Rodenticides: Rodenticides are a
mitigation measure. Certain rodents, namely gophers and ground
squirrels, present a risk to park infrastructure and users in
developed areas , such as active recreational sites, picnic areas and
campgrounds. Tunnels and holes created by rodents can undermine
improvements such as sidewalks, trails and pathways, and holes and
mounds of dirt created as a result of tunneling activity present a
tripping hazard for park users, rendering areas unsafe. The use of
rodenticides by County Parks is conducted following all County, State
and Federal policies, rules, regulations, laws, labels and
administrative procedures. The work is performed by private trained
pest control businesses/licensed applicators. Applicators seek to
minimize potential exposure to other species. The treatment for
gophers is applied underground in their tunnels and the treatment for
squirrels uses enclosed bait stations. Both methods minimize the
potential for access from other animals. County Parks does not use
rodenticides in non-public use areas of parks or in open space
areas.
Public Restroom Facilities: As a convenience for our
customers, the County of San Diego Department of Parks and
recreation operates multiple restrooms at parks and park facilities.
This spreadsheet below relays that information, including park name,
location and hours of operation:
Public
Restroom Facilities.
Showers: In conjunction with the County’s water-conservation
measures, coin-operated shower fixtures have been installed at the
following campgrounds: Agua Caliente, Vallecito, Dos Picos, William
Heise, Guajome Regional, Potrero and Lake Morena. Fixtures take
quarters and cost 50 cents for 4 minutes of shower time. Quarters are
available at the Ranger stations. The showers at Sweewtater Summit are
different in that they take tokens - not quarters - but the rate is
the same, with four tokens per dollar. Tokens are available at the
Ranger Station.
Park Updates and Planned Closures
Lakeside River Trail: The Lakeside River Park organization is
making improvements to the Lakeside River Trail. While equipment is on
site, and crews are working, the trail may be limited to pedestrian
traffic. Safety is a priority at County Parks - please obey all posted signs.
Lindo Lake
County Park:
- Lindo Lake is the only natural lake in the County, and with
that comes complications – things like limited well water,
stormwater runoff, and prolonged drought. Two water quality control
measures have already been implemented to filter run-off that enters
the lake from the west and south sides: One is a bio-swale and
underground sediment retention basin and the other is a modular
wetland system that filters the water before it enters the lake. We
are also being proactive by spraying a non-toxic solution on the
water in the west basin that is designed to alleviate odors
associated with naturally decomposing vegetation. If you see a
ranger in a boat, that is likely what they’re working on. These
efforts are part of a long-term restoration project at Lindo Lake.
Over the next few years, we will be dredging the east and west
basin, adding water, installing a temporary then permanent aeration
system and water movement system, and completing additional run-off
control measures. These changes will increase water depth, curb
algae growth, and improve the health and safety of the lake and its
inhabitants.
- Cultural Monitoring: The soil that is being
dredged from the basins as part of the long-term revitalization
project is not native and does not have a potential to contain
prehistoric resources. Staff routinely check the soil to document
its contents and ensure additional monitoring is not needed.
- Toxins from algae are present in the water of Lindo Lake. Per
County Ordinance 41.132, swimming, bathing and boating are
prohibited. For your safety, and for the safety of your pets, please
do not let pets go into or drink the water, eat fish from the water,
or use water for drinking or cooking. Thank you for your
cooperation. For more information, call 858-966-1330.
Sweetwater
Summit Regional Park: Work has been completed on the
Sweetwater Loop and River Trail, thanks to a collaborative effort
between the County of San Diego, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
and Sweetwater Authority. This portion of the trail (approximately 1.3
miles) was rerouted to protect sensitive habitats while maintaining
access and recreation opportunities. Please obey all posted signs so
we can continue to keep this trail open for your enjoyment. For more
information, please call the park at (619) 472-7572.
Sycamore
Canyon/Goodan Ranch: Improving the County’s 350+ mile
trail system is a priority for the San Diego County Department of
Parks and Recreation, and efforts to expand trail access are balanced
by efforts to preserve sensitive habitats and culturally significant
areas. Over the years, a number of unauthorized trails have appeared
in Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch County Preserve. These trails
negatively affect these areas and can cause harm to plants, animals
and other resources. You may notice signs and other barricades
blocking access to these unauthorized trails. Please stay on trail
and only in authorized areas as we work to protect this urban oasis.
