outdoor adventures
Walker Preserve Trail 9500 Magnolia Avenue
Come visit Santee’s 107-acre Walker Preserve along the San Diego River. Chances are you’ll see a variety of birds and other wildlife along this unpaved, 14-foot-wide trail. The mostly flat path, which extends for 1.13 miles from Magnolia Avenue to the city boundary with Lakeside, has a shade structure, drinking fountain, mister and bike repair.
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve (619) 596-3141 www.santeelakes.com
Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve hosts over 660,000 visitors a year. This 190 acre park with seven beautiful lakes provides several amenities including: camping, cabin rentals, fishing, boating, special events, picnicking, seven playgrounds including a Sprayground, 5 miles of walking trails, and features approximately 230 bird species. The lakes are stocked with sport fish year-round and no state fishing license is needed, only a permit from the General Store. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve is owned and operated by Padre Dam Municipal Water District. For more information please visit santeelakes.com.
The Friends of Santee’s River Park The Friends of Santee’s River Park is a community group united in their goal of preserving and enhancing the San Diego River and surrounding park areas within the City of Santee. The Friends of Santee’s River Park work in partnership with the City of Santee and residents to take ownership in their stretch of the San Diego River in an effort to maintain the fragile ecosystem and the greenbelt and beautiful parks that surround it. Contact us at santee@sandiegoriver.org
Mission Trails Regional Park (619) 668-3281 www.mtrp.org
Take advantage of more than 40 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails at this 6,100acre reserve, one of the nation’s largest urban open-space parks. Free outdoor programs include guided nature walks, stargazing and bird watching. MTRP is always recruiting volunteers. Personalized on-the-job training is provided. For more information, contact Visitor Center Director David Lee at (619) 668-3278, dlee@mtrp.org. 14
Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve/Goodan Ranch (858) 513-4737 www.sdparks.org
Hike and bike along miles of trails within 2,200 acres of hills nestled between the cities of Santee and Poway. Stop by the visitor center and ranger office in the canyon, a one-mile walk from the staging area. Free programs offered yearround. Accommodations made for those with disabilities. Directions: Goodan staging area - Poway Road, east on Garden Road, south on Sycamore Canyon Road. Hwy. 67 staging area - Southbound Hwy. 67, half mile south of Scripps Poway Pkwy.
Pickleball at Big Rock Park All levels and beginners welcome. Volunteer attendants provide first time participants basic instruction, rules and loaner equipment. Big Rock Park tennis courts = 8 pickleball courts Tues, Wed & Thurs: 8:00am-12:00pm Sundays: 8:00am-4:00pm All other days available for open play for either tennis or pickleball.
Pickleball at Santana High School Select courts at Santana High School available from 8:00am–dusk on Saturdays and Sundays. Nets must be lowered by users to accommodate legal pickleball height. Please see signage near courts for instructions.
