The Santa Fe Valley Trail

Sharing a trailhead with the Del Dios Gorge Trail, the Santa Fe Valley Trail is one of the prettiest in the park.  Because of its location between Lake Hodges and the coast this trail is a bit cooler this time of year than some of the trails further inland.

There are many recreational opportunities in the San Dieguito River Park, including kayaking, horseback riding, bicycling, and hiking.  We offer additional guided activities such as bird watching, geocaching, tracking, and special outdoor programs and presentations throughout the year.


The San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy has excellent .pdf trail maps available for download here.

Come and learn at the San Dieguito River Park.

Besides public access to trails and amenities, the Park offers a variety of outreach opportunities to learn about the rich diversity of the San Dieguito River Valley, from wildlife corridors and plant communities, to the geology, archaeology, and history of this open space park.  These activities are offered free to the public and all ages are welcome.

Join us on for an indoor program on Saturday, August 7th, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., "The Urban Coyote" - William Wirtz, Emeritus Professor of Biology, Pomona College, will be your host at the Rancho Bernardo Community Park - Glassman Recreation Center, 18448 West Bernardo Drive, Rancho Bernardo.  (Located adjacent to the Piedras Pintadas Trail) No live animals will be on hand this session, but we do have a lively visual program.  Please reserve your space to Barbara@sdrp.org or leave a message at (858) 674-2275x14.  Refreshments provided.

from left: Senior Ranger David Hekel, Ranger Natalie Borchardt, Trails Manager Jason Lopez, Ranger Jake Gibbs.

We are planning to hire an additional full time ranger at the San Dieguito River Park.  Ranger Ken Colburn has moved on to the U.S. Forest Service, but you can still see him in the Cleveland National Forest!

"Our River Park is a gem, a biodiversity hotspot, a place of beauty and a place to get out and appreciate our natural world and enjoy the benefits of being in nature.  We can add to it, protect it, teach with it, and enjoy it for the treasure it is" - Oliver Ryder, Ph.D., Director of Genetics, San Diego Zoo's Institute for Conservation Research, and San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy Board Member.

Click here to read an article (.pdf) by Oliver Ryder that describes the many plants and animals of the San Dieguito River Park.

Click here for the Plants of the San Dieguito River Valley brochure (.pdf).

Located in the San Pasqual Valley the Raptor Ridge Trail is a refreshing 4 mile round trip hike (or bike ride) for the entire family.  You begin the hike at the Santa Ysabel Creek Staging Area and hike west, climbing up a bit of a grade to Raptor Ridge, and then return.

You will be able to see almost the entire San Pasqual Valley including across the valley to the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

Click here for a Google Map of the Raptor Ridge Trail.
Click here for a .pdf map that shows the entire San Pasqual Valley Trail system.
Click here to see a Raptor Ridge Twilight Hike photo gallery.
Click here to see a daytime Raptor Ridge hike photo gallery.