One of the major goals of the San Dieguito River Park is to establish a continuous open space corridor throughout the length of the Park that preserves natural habitats, protects linkages for wildlife movement, and provides compatible areas for recreational opportunities.

In This Issue
Kid's With Cameras
Lake Hodges Birding
Dust Devil Nature Trail Walk
Last Volcan Mountain HIke
Crest Canyon Bird Walk
Santa Ysabel East Hike
Sunset and Full Moon Hike
Yoga on the Beach
Open Air Classroom
Sikes Spooktacular

RIVER PARK EVENTS  

Here is a link to the San Dieguito River Park Activity Calendar.     

 


Located at the Sikes Adobe (see directions to the Sunset Staging area in the left column).

Every Sunday:
10:30am ~ 3:30pm
(except if Easter, 4th of July, or Christmas).
QUICK LINKS...


Connect with Us!


SDRP website

DIRECTIONS
 
Bernardo Bay Natural/Staging Area: (for access to East and South Lake Hodges Trails and the Ribbon Bridge)
Take I-15 to the West Bernardo Dr./Pomerado Rd. exit. Turn left onto West Bernardo Dr.  Within a half mile, you will come to the parking area on the right side of the road. 
(click here for a map)

Crest Canyon: 
At the San Dieguito Lagoon, turn south from Jimmy Durante onto San Dieguito Dr., which will morph into Racetrack View Drive.  Crest Canyon is about 2/3 miles south from Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Del Dios Gorge/
Santa Fe Valley Staging Area:
On Del Dios Highway, across the street from the Cielo Shopping Center, is the Lemon Twist Stand.  The road to the staging area is within the Lemon Twist pullout, immediately south and west of the Lemon Twist stand. (click here for a map)

 

Dog Beach: 
Dog Beach is
located to the west of Highway 101, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, between the communities of Solana Beach and Del Mar.  As in any coast city, parking is a challenge near the beach.  Metered parking on Highway 101 exists and may be available.   
 

Dust Devil Nature Trail

Staging Area:

From Del Mar Heights Road go north on El Camino Real.  The staging area will be at the edge of the San Dieguito Lagoon on your left.  You will continue past the staging area, making a U-turn at San Dieguito Road, then driving south on El Camino Real to the staging area. 

 

Highland Valley Trail Staging Area:

From I-15 head east on Pomerado Road about 1/4 mile.  Turn left onto Highland Valley Drive. Within about 300 feet, turn right into the parking area. 

(click here for a map)  

 

Highland Valley - Old Coach Trail Staging Area:
From I-15 head east on Pomerado Road.  After about 1/4 mile, turn left onto Highland Valley Drive.  Drive 2.3 miles.  The staging area will be on your right.  12460 Highland Valley Road.

 (click here for a map) 

 

Ramona Grasslands Staging Area:

From I-15 head east on Pomerado Road.  After about 1/4 mile, turn left onto Highland Valley Road.  Drive approximately 10.5 miles up Highland Valley Road to the Ramona Grasslands.  You will see the staging area and trail head on the north side of the road. 

( click here for a map)


Sunset Staging Area:

(access for Ribbon Bridge, Sikes Adobe, Mule Hill Trail, North Shore Trail, Bernardo Mountain)     

Directions: Take I-15 to Via Rancho Parkway exit, and at the exit ramp turn right at the light.  Go to the light at Sunset Drive (less than a 1/4 mile) and turn right onto Sunset Drive. North County Fair Mall is on the left side of the road.  This is a cul-de-sac with plenty of parking in the gated staging/parking area on the left side of the street or along the street and in the lot at the end of the cul-de-sac. 

(click here for a map)

  

San Andres Drive Interpretive Kiosk: (for east end Lagoon Trail access)  

End of San Andres Drive in Del Mar, off Via de la Valle, behind the Albertsons Shopping Center. 

(click here for a map) 

 

SYOSP West:

The Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve West Trailhead and Staging Area are located on Highway 78, 1.3 miles west of Santa Ysabel, on the north side of the road.  Lots of parking.  Porta Potty.    

 

SYOSP East-West:

The Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve East -West Trailhead is located on Highway 79 just south of Mission Santa Ysabel and 1.3 miles north of the town of Santa Ysabel.  Another way to describe this would be to stay on Highway 79, 1.3 miles north of the Highway 78/79 intersection in Santa Ysabel. You will park on the shoulder of the road, on the east side of Highway 79. 

 

SYOSP East-East:

The Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve East -East Trailhead is located on Farmer Road, 1.25 miles north of the Farmer Road - Wynola Road intersection.  You will pass the Volcan Mountain Preserve parking area immediately after turning onto Farmer Road.  The SYOSP East Farmer Road Trailhead is 1.25 miles further, on the left. 

(click here for a map) 

 

Ysabel Creek Staging Area:

(for access to the middle of the San Pasqual Valley Trail system)  

I-15 North towards Escondido, exit Pomerado Rd/West Rancho Bernardo Road. Take Pomerado Dr. East.  After 1/4 mile, turn left from Pomerado onto Highland Valley Road, continue on Highland Valley Road for 4 miles, take left on Bandy Canyon Road to Ysabel Creek Road. Trailhead is on the corner.
DOWNLOAD
PDF TRAIL MAPS
from the links below:
UPCOMING EVENTS
KID'S WITH CAMERAS 4.0 ARTISTS' RECEPTION
Date:  Thursday, November 7
Time:  6:00pm
Location:  The Julian Library, 1850 Highway 78, Julian 

Hosted by the Volcan Mountain Foundation.  Click here for more information.
LAKE HODGES EAST (BERNARDO BAY TRAILS) BIRDING FIELD TRIP
Date:  Saturday, November 9
Time:  8:30am
Location:  Meet at the Rancho Bernardo Community Park, 18402 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego

Hosted by Palomar Audubon Society Member Jeff Ebright.
SECOND SATURDAY RANGER-LED WALK AT THE SAN DIEGUITO LAGOON
Date:  Saturday, November 9
Time:  9:00am ~ 10:30am
Location:  Dust Devil Nature Trail Staging Area  (see directions in left column)

1.7 mile loop.  Easy.  Hosted by SDRP Park Ranger Natalie Borchardt. 
END OF SEASON CLOSE OF SUMMIT HIKE ON VOLCAN MOUNTAIN
Date:  Sunday, November 10
Time:  1:00pm
Location:  Hubbell Gateway off of Farmer Road in Julian

5.5 miles out and back.  Strenuous.  Hosted by San Diego County Parks Staff.
SAN DIEGUITO LAGOON BIRD WALK
Date:  Saturday, November 16
Time:  8:00am - 10:00am
Location:  Crest Canyon North Interpretive Kiosk (see directions in left column)

2 miles out and back.  Easy.  Co-hosted by SDRP Park Rangers and Buena Vista Audubon Society Member John Haddock.
"TAKING BACK THE TRAILS" BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
Date:  Saturday, November 16
Time:  10:00am
Location:  Farmer Road Staging Area, Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve East (see directions in left column)
Rating:  Strenuous, 5 miles out and back

Hosted by San Diego County Park Attendant Bill Augustus
SUNSET AND MOONLIGHT HIKE UP RAPTOR RIDGE
Date:  Sunday, November 17
Time:  3:45pm - 5:45pm
Location:  Old Coach Staging Area (see directions in left column)
Rating:  Moderate, 4.5 miles out and back

Bring a flashlight.  Hosted by SDRP Park Ranger Bryan Ward.
YOGA ON THE BEACH
Date:  Saturday, November 23
Time:  8:30am
Location:  Meet at the San Andres Drive Interpretive Kiosk (see directions in left column)

4 miles out and back.  Easy.  Bring a mat.
Co-Hosted by SDRVC and Yoga Instructor Susan McCrea.
PEOPLE AND PLACES OF THE PARK  
OPEN AIR CLASSROOM GROUNDBREAKING
The Open Air Classroom Groundbreaking occurred on October 24th 2013. Students from the 3rd grade at Del Mar Ocean Air School came out for a hike led by Park rangers, then turned in electronics to be recycled at the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation.  The students dispersed native seed on site and received plants by Miss Smarty Plants from the Water Conservation Garden to take home.

At the groundbreaking ceremony there were four elected officials in attendance, several Board members and Advisory Board members.  Speakers included Jim Cunningham, Council member from Poway and Chair of the River Park JPA Board; County Supervisor Dave Roberts; former County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price; Landscape Architect, Andy Spurlock and SDRVC Executive Director, Trish Boaz.  Also in attendance were Don Mosier, City Council member from Del Mar and Tiffany Vincent, representing City of San Diego Council member Mark Kersey and  Dan Crown, of Southwest General Contractors of Escondido, who will be the contractor for this phase construction.

Additional event images can be seen here.
SIKES SPOOKTACULAR
The 1st annual Sikes Spooktacular was attended by more than 150 people. The Spooky Science booths had 6 educational stations: Bat Basics, Owl Essentials, Mystery Skulls, Moon Moves, Lunar Mass and Pumpkin Science. There were animal specimens from the Natural History Museum, owl pellets for examination, a wide variety of animal skulls, activities relating to the moon, our solar system and scientific measurements.

There was a scarecrow making contest, pumpkin carving, homemade pumpkin pies from sale and a haunted trail.   Thank you to the 20 volunteers that donated their time, the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, Sikes Adobe, River Park rangers, Escondido History Center, Patio Play House, Escondido Jaycees and the North San Diego Certified Farmers Market. Click here for pictures of the event.
UNTIL NEXT TIME.......

All of us in the San Dieguito River Park office are working hard to improve your Park and to make it available to you for recreation and education. Please feel free to contact me with Riverscape comments or requests.
Leana@sdrp.org or (858) 674-2275 x14. 

Interpretive Ranger and Riverscape Editor, Leana Bulay.