Happy New Year! This is the perfect time to try something new and to venture beyond your comfort zone, both physically and geographically. Our spring program guides are full of free activities for you to try as you brainstorm resolutions, starting with the following list of recommendations from your County of San Diego park ranger team:
Hike under a full moon. Meet at Flinn Springs County Park in El Cajon at 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 6 for an easy nighttime hike during the first full moon of 2023. Rangers will discuss native plants and nocturnal animals while you admire the sky above. Park info at 619-561-0180.
Become a birder. El Monte County Park in Lakeside is a birding hotspot with an impressive array of avian species. Join experienced staff at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 14 for quiet stroll to catch these winged creatures in action! It’s an easy, 1.5-hour excursion that is best with binoculars and a good camera. Park info at 619-443-1474.
Read a book + Plant a tree. Following a youth-focused story time session at Barnett Ranch County Preserve in Ramona, rangers will lead a quarter-mile walk to a location where volunteers can plant a small grove of native trees – all materials provided! This event takes place at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15. Park info at 760-788-3326.
Appreciate architecture. Hear colorful tales of the residents who lived in Heritage County Park’s unique circle of Victorian homes including where they originated, how they got to Old Town San Diego, and why it’s so important to maintain and improve them over time. Discover differences between styles and how they reflect shifts in fashion, culture and local history. This walk-and-talk program takes place at 1 p.m. on Jan. 21. Park info at 619-232-7275.
Pan for gold. Learn what it’s like to be an archaeologist when you attend Adventures in Archaeology and Gold Panning at Santa Ysabel Nature Center at 10 a.m. on Jan. 22! Search the ground for buried items, poke around in a sifting table and discover what these, and similar, findings have to say about past cultures. Park info at 760-765-4098.
View the full list of activities for January activities online. Inclement weather may cancel events; consider calling in advance.
If you live in or near the communities of Fallbrook, Lakeside or Spring Valley, you can also check out our location-specific program guides which include both paid and unpaid activities like fitness classes, senior workshops, kids camps and holiday parties.
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. Of the 150+ properties we manage, 23 are considered regional parks based on their size, facilities, services and regional draw.
Rad Regional Parks was launched in July 2022 as a way to showcase these properties' incredible diversity. We feature one park per month, highlighting the staff, unique landscape, events and recreational opportunities that make it stand out. During each park’s feature month, parking fees are waived, and all guests get a free park logo sticker.
The flyer for January is below (NOTE: The first event has been cancelled due to poor trail conditions following this week's rain event).
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