Walk the river

Although located in the midst of metropolitan San Diego, this trail segment meanders along a lush wooded watercourse that winds its way to the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the San Diego River Park network of paths found along the San Diego River channel that extends from Volcan Mountain until the river flows into the ocean at Mission Bay for a distance of 52 miles. This river was used by the Kumeyaay, then later as a water source for Mission San Diego de Alcalá, 19th-century European settlers, and currently serves the City of San Diego through San Vicente and El Capitan reservoirs.

There is a kiosk that gives a brief overview of the area, including a map and a description of plants and animals found along the trail. Toyon, also called Christmas berry due to its bright red winter berries, lemonade berry with pink buds, and elderberry with its bluish-black berries, provide food for wildlife. The river in this area shows a history of flooding since record-keeping began in 1914. The biggest recorded flood occurred in January of 1916, when the river grew to be a mile wide with a flow rate of 70,200 cubic feet of water per second, damaging roads, tracks, and telephone/telegraph lines that took over a month to repair.

The walk begins at North Marker 4 at the entrance of the parking lot. Look for American coots, ducks, and gulls that splash and feed down the banks and islands in the river. Along the path are native plants, such as rushes, mule fat, coyote bush, white patchy sycamore trees, and coast live oaks.

At North Marker 5, the river view opens looking south. Native pink roses (Rosa californica) and sunflowers (Encelia californica) line the river pathway. Their blooms foretell the approach of spring. Hidden is the wrentit, a tiny native brown bird with the “call of the chaparral.” Other birds to be seen include black phoebes, bushtits, and white-crowned sparrows, peeking out from the bushes. Laurel sumac, an indicator plant of a frost-free area, provides shelter.

Along the trail, near North Marker 6, is an overlook for observing the river life. Note the arroyo willow nearby. It was revered by the Kumeyaay for its medicinal properties as a pain reliever, source of basket material, and used for making clothing. Benches near the kiosk welcome weary travelers.

To continue east along the river, turn north on Camino del Estes for a short distance to a crosswalk, carefully cross the street, then immediately turn south back down to the river and turn east on the path until Qualcomm Way. The path turns south and crosses over the San Diego River at Qualcomm Way. Looking westward, the river eventually empties into the ocean between Mission Beach and Ocean Beach via an estuary.

Turning west, the path runs parallel to the trolley tracks. Passengers on the trolley have a fabulous view of the river as they speed along the line. There are benches and picnic tables along the trail. Native sugar bush (not usually found at this low of an elevation) is a reminder that banks of the river have been replanted after the channel was straightened. Following the path west to the end, turn north and return to your car or trolley station.