Future parkland property rich in habitat, cultural recreational and scenic values as well as a future route for a Coast-to-Crest Trail. The San Dieguito River Valley Regional Open Space Park Joint Powers Authority, also known as the San Dieguito River Park, is the agency responsible for creating a natural open space park in the San Dieguito River Valley.

The Park will someday extend from the ocean at Del Mar to Volcan Mountain, just north of Julian. It will wind past Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Escondido, Lake Hodges and Lake Sutherland.

San Dieguito River Park
18372 Sycamore Creek Road, Escondido, CA 92025; (858) 674-2270; Park Website;
San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy - Parkland accumulation group
Frieds of the San Dieguito River Valley - Citizen advocacy group

Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead
San Dieguito River Park; (858) 674-2275; Farmhouse Webpage;
Open Sat / Sun 1PM-3PM - Docent led tours;
Historic farmstead dating to the period 1869-1899 - restoration was completed and building opened to public in 2004.

Boden Canyon - San Pasqual
Park tract located 10 miles east of Wild Animal Park
A tributory canyon to the San Dieguito River system, this canyon is rich in wildlife habitat. It is home to larger mammals such as mountain lion and deer, the endangered arroyo toad and 128 species of birds.

San Pasqual Valley - Escondido
San Pasqual Valley consists mostly of an agricultural preserve. The San Diego Wild Animal Park is located in the San Pasqual Valley, as is the San Pasqual State Battlefield Visitor's Center. The center commemorates important local battles and events from the Mexican-American War of 1846-47. There is a 10-mile long wilderness trail in place here.

Coastal Wetlands - Del Mar
Located alongside Del Mar Fairgrounds
The San Dieguito River Lagoon use to be the largest lagoon watershed in the area before major fill activity was done for coastal highways, fairgrounds and a World War II era airport. Extensive effort is now underway to reclaim this unique habitat.

Lake Hodges
Park Entrance : From Interstate 15, exit on Via Rancho Parkway, go west to Lake Drive, then south to the lake entrance.;

When full, The Lake Hodges Reservoir has 1,234 surface acres, a maximum water depth of 115 feet, and 27 shoreline miles. The lake was created by a river control dam built in 1918. This is the big lake between Rancho Bernardo and Escondido on the San Dieguito River that the I-15 freeway cuts across (built in 1981).

Rutherford Ranch - Volcan Mountain
Located near Volcan Mountain / Julian
The pristine 11,000 acre Rutherford Ranch is located at the eastern end of the San Dieguito River Park. It is the location of fern-filled Ironside Spring, the headwaters of the San Dieguito River. As the ranch rolls across the crest of the Volcan Mountains and reaches into the desert at San Felipe Valley, it links the San Dieguito River Park on the west with the Anza Borrego State Park on the east, thus providing a natural corridor from the desert to the ocean.

San Dieguito County Park - Del Mar CA
The four reservable picnic areas at this park are set among towering eucalyptus groves that characterize this part of the county. Only minutes from the ocean, this park is cooled by the sea breezes during warm summer months. A ball field, basketball court, play areas, and hiking trails are nearby for picnickers to enjoy.

Wilderness Trails - San Dieguito River Park
Some portions of the Coast to Crest Trail have been completed and are open to the public. In addition, some auxiliary trails within the San Dieguito River Park are open to public use.