Community Events From: The San Diego River Park Foundation

River Trail Action Crew - Showing love for the River Trail, One Ride at a Time!  

OB Estuary Ride - SECOND FRIDAYS (9-10:30am)

All Wheels Welcome! (see below)

Location: Ocean Beach Estuary / San Diego River Trail

Parking & Meeting Spot: Robb Field Skate Park at the parking lot. https://maps.app.goo.gl/MbJFiFwpbF2gmhJy8 Nearest address is 2525 Bacon Street

We’re a crew of local volunteers riding, rolling, and working to keep the San Diego River Trail clean, safe, and accessible, while pushing to get this epic regional bikeway completed. Part of the San Diego River Park Foundation, we mix hands-on action like trash cleanups and trail upgrades with data tracking to fix hazards. We’re all about building a welcoming, inclusive, all-wheels zone that levels up our trails and brings positive vibes to the community. 

Come out & roll with us!

Experience a unique segment of the river trail that highlights both the beauty of our local ecosystem and the importance of protected pathways.

Scenic & Wildlife: This route winds through a stunning estuary, offering prime viewing for diverse wildlife and critical bird habitats.

Car-Free Riding: The trail is completely separated from vehicle traffic, allowing for a safer, more focused group ride.

Terrain Note: To stay separated from traffic, the trail passes beneath several roadways. Expect short declines and inclines at these underpasses.

The Urban Interface: As we ride, we will pass through areas with urban interface. You may encounter neighbors experiencing homelessness living along the riverbed; we ask all River Trail Action Crews volunteers to remain respectful and mindful of these shared public spaces.

Rolling on something other than a bike?

If you are bringing skates, a skateboard, wheelchair, scooter, or other adaptive riding rig please EMAIL jillian@sandiegoriver.org with Event Date & Types of Wheels you'll be riding.

See you on the trail. 

Explore. Discover. Connect.

Introducing Natural LAW Field Trips for the Whole Family!

Land • Air • Water – Your Family’s Adventure Starts Here!

For years, parents and chaperones have joined us on student field trips and shared one consistent wish: “I wish they offered these field trips for adults too!” 

So, we listened.

The San Diego River Park Foundation is thrilled to invite families of all ages to experience our immersive Natural LAW Education Program—a series of hands-on learning adventures designed to deepen your connection to the San Diego River, its rich ecology, and its cultural significance.

These field trips are FREE, fun, and crafted to create meaningful outdoor memories together while inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

Explore the Natural LAW Programs

Each themed field trip uncovers a different dimension of the natural world. Families rotate through interactive stations, discovering the hidden stories, adaptations, and science that bring our local ecosystems to life.

Upcoming Family Field Trip:

Location: 2310 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego, CA 92108

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Arrive: 9:45 am

Program Start: 10:00am
Program End: 12:00pm

LAND: Tracking and Field at Grant Park

Assume the role of a keen detective investigating the rich tapestry of wildlife and plant life that thrive along the river. Delve deep into the intricate relationships that sustain this vibrant ecosystem.

Sharpen your observational skills and witness firsthand how organisms interact, mutually influence one another, and collectively contribute to the harmony and resilience of the riparian ecosystem.

Punctuality: Please arrive a few minutes before the event. Groups arriving late will not be able to experience the entire program.

Responsibility: Please be aware of your surroundings, as the safety and discipline of children are your primary responsibility. Promote listening, foster excitement, focus, curiosity, and engagement. Encourage observation rather than providing direct answers. 

Please step away to take phone calls to deter distraction.

Environmental Safety: For safety, please remain vigilant, attentive, and engaged. Natural terrain may present unique challenges. We will reasonably accommodate special needs with the understanding that some of the wilderness terrain may pose challenges. 

Dress for Outdoor Success: 

·      Closed-toe shoes and long pants

·      Comfortable clothes that can get wet, dirty, or muddy.

·      Jacket and/or rain jacket (if needed).

·      Sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat. - Bring a filled reusable water bottle.

Leave No Trace: Please respect the park and program areas. Ensure you leave these spaces cleaner than you found them, and dispose of all trash properly.

Lunch: A shaded picnic area may be available. Please note that the San Diego River Foundation does not provide lunch or supervision during lunch. Please practice Leave No Trace principles at the San Diego River Park and at all outdoor locations.

Would you like to share your outdoor knowledge and/or education? Do you love getting both adults and kids excited about nature? We'd love to have you on our team!

Field Trips:

We often put on field trips for children's groups, which include a nature walk, collecting bug samples in the river, then looking at them under a microscope and identifying them. We need someone who can "make sense of nature" - someone who is listening to and absorbing their surroundings and making sense of it, so they can help education the children. Examples of this are saying "This is stinging nettle, don't touch this!" or "This is edible!".

We offer field trips Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We typically need volunteers for a 3.5 hour window, starting between 8:30am and 9:30am. We typically hold field trips in Ocean Beach or Mission Valley. If you'd like to volunteer for a specific event rather than for field trips, you can go to the Education Program Page and sign up for our upcoming events.

If you don't have a lot of outdoor knowledge, we still need your help! Volunteering can be as simple as staying with the tent and guarding belongings, or assisting with educational activities (training provided).

Docents:

We are looking to start expanding on our educational opportunities, and potentially offering tours along the San Diego River. If you have knowledge of the San Diego River, have experience in the docent field, or are even just willing to learn, we'd love to have you! You don't have to be an expert in the field - but if you have knowledge and would love to share it with our current and future generations, sign up here and we'll get in contact with you regarding how you can help!