Photo courtesy San Diego River Park Foundation
By Karen Pearlman
May 3, 2026 (San Diego County) — The 23rd annual San Diego River Days is officially underway, offering more than three dozen events designed to connect San Diego County residents with the 52-mile waterway that serves as the region’s ecological backbone.
Organized by the nonprofit San Diego River Park Foundation and a wide array of local co-hosts and partner organizations, River Days runs May 9 through May 17, spanning the entire watershed from Julian through Lakeside and Mission Valley out to Ocean Beach.
This year’s programming emphasizes a blend of hands-on environmental stewardship, wildlife education and cultural history, with a large concentration of activities the weekends of May 9-10 and May 16-17.
For the animal enthusiasts
There will be wide array of opportunities to learn about the native animals that inhabit the river corridor.
On Sunday, May 17, Grant Park in Mission Valley — the San Diego River Park Foundation’s nature learning facility — will host a “Sky Hunters Event” featuring a live raptor presentation from Alpine-based Sky Hunters Raptor Education and Rehabilitation, followed by “Mountain Lion 101,” an in-depth look at the behavior and conservation of the region’s apex predators.
For those interested in the river’s smaller inhabitants, the May 9 “Wildlife Tracking Exhibit” at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground shade structure inside Mission Trails Regional Park will teach attendees how to identify the tracks, fur and scat of common animals in the watershed.
The month also features unique nocturnal programming, including a “Bat and Moth Event” at Grant Park on May 16, during which participants will use bioacoustic equipment to listen for bats and set up an ultraviolet light to observe moths and other nocturnal insects. There will be a “Ranger-Led Night Hike” on May 17 at 3201 Ruffin Road, which will focus on the habits and habitats of nocturnal animals and the importance of wildlife corridors in urban ecosystems.
Backcountry hikes and outdoor adventure
The celebration extends deep into East County with several guided excursions.
On May 9, hikers can explore the 450-acre Eagle Peak Ranch Preserve in Julian, the flagship property of the San Diego River Park Foundation. The preserve is known for its Engelmann oak woodland, native grasslands and coastal sage scrub.
Closer to the foothills, the Earth Discovery Institute will lead a “Watershed and Wildflower Hike” at the Crestridge Ecological Reserve in El Cajon on May 9. For those looking for a faster pace, the “River Days 5K Walk for Wildlife and Fun Run” is also May 9 and starts at the Riverwalk Golf Club in Mission Valley, with live music, food trucks, wildlife booths and river views.
Volunteers, stewardship and restoration
Volunteerism remains a cornerstone of River Days.
Community cleanups are scheduled throughout the nine-day event to tackle illegal dumping and invasive species. Key efforts include the El Monte Valley Cleanup in Lakeside on May 16, where volunteers will remove trash and illegal dumping from the riverbed, recreational trails and roadside, and a “Kayak Clean-Up” in Mission Valley (also on May 16) where participants take to the water to remove debris from hard-to-reach stretches of the river.
Restoration events are also planned at the San Diego River Mouth in Ocean Beach, with volunteers removing invasive plants to protect endangered species such as the California Least Tern.
History, art and culture
San Diego River Days also highlights the human history tied to the watershed.
The Barona Cultural Center & Museum will host an educational journey showcasing collections representing thousands of years of history, some objects dating as far back as 10,000 years, celebrating the artistry of the hemisphere’s first inhabitants.
In Santee, the Historical Society will open the Historic Santee Barn and Monarch Garden on May 16 for a craft bazaar with a special focus on gardening, with arts and crafts activities for kids.
Artistic expression is woven throughout the celebration, with a Plein Air Paint Out at 10900 Ashwood St. in Lakeside on May 16 and the “Art of the River” exhibition at the Santa Ysabel Art Gallery, showcasing works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, glass, ceramics, fiber arts and photography inspired by the watershed.
Most San Diego River Days events are free to the public, though many require advance registration due to capacity limits.
A full calendar of activities and registration links can be found at sdriverdays.org. Participants are encouraged to bring water, sun protection and sturdy shoes for all outdoor activities.
Formed in 2001, the San Diego River Park Foundation is a grassroots organization dedicated to reclaiming, conserving and restoring the San Diego River. Through large-scale volunteer efforts and proactive conservation initiatives, the organization works to improve the river valley’s environmental health while also focusing on social issues, such as conducting outreach to unhoused individuals living in the riverbed.
The San Diego River originates in the Volcan Mountains and terminates at the Pacific Ocean. It serves as a primary drainage system for a 440-square-mile watershed and acts as a critical habitat for native species. Much of the river has been impacted by urban development and historical channelization, but it remains a focal point for flood management and ongoing ecological restoration projects.