Earth Day Activities with the San Diego Parks
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
STORY TRAILS
San Diego County Library has placed colorful pages of children’s books on signs for our staff to post on trails at some of our most family-friendly parks during Earth Week! Visit the following locations for a one-of-a-kind English/Spanish literary adventure:
- Agua Caliente County Park (Julian/Anza Borrego)
- Barnett Ranch County Preserve (Ramona)
- Borrego Springs County Park (Borrego Springs)
- Dos Picos County Park (Ramona)
- Eastview County Park (Sweetwater/Bonita)
- Flinn Springs County Park (El Cajon)
- Lake Morena County Park (Campo)
- Lincoln Acres County Park (National City)
- Live Oak County Park (Fallbrook)
- Louis A. Stelzer County Park (Lakeside)
- Pine Valley County Park (Pine Valley)
- Potrero County Park (Potrero)
- Santa Ysabel Nature Center (East County)
- Waterfront Park (Downtown)
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Friday, April 18, 2025
11 a.m. – Earth Day Fair at County Operations Center Patio.
Learn how the County of San Diego is working to create a more sustainable world through its departments and programs. Staff are hosting a free public fair with a variety of interactive and informative booths, demonstrations and giveaways.
Saturday, April 19, 2025
10 a.m. – Reading with Rosy: An Animal Encounter with Books at San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center.
With our resident reptile ambassador – Rosy the Rosy Boa – our rangers will host an interactive snake workshop, a lagoon trail walk, and a very special storytime with the San Diego County Library! Meet at the Nature Center Amphitheater; call the park for details at (760) 634-3026.
Sunday, April 20, 2025
12 p.m. – Picnic with the Goats at Los Penasquitos Ranch House.
Bring your lunch for a pen-side picnic with our resident animal ambassadors. During the picnic, park rangers will discuss 1860s ranch life, animal care and Nubian goats. At the end, there will be an opportunity to interact with the goats and tour the centuries-old ranch house; call the park for details at (858) 484-7504.
GUIDED HIKES
Saturday, April 19, 2025
9 a.m. – Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve with Women in the Wild.
Head up the hills to a majestic mountain overlooking San Diego County to the west and the Anza Borrego Desert to the east. Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve spans 2,900 acres and contains a roughly 5-mile roundtrip trail through mixed conifer forest to the summit and back. Pause along the way to learn about trail safety, hiking essentials, unique plant and animal species, and to discover how the mountain provides headwaters for three San Diego watersheds. Call for more information at (619) 214-2642.
10 a.m. – Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch County Preserve.
Staff will lead a hike along the moderately difficult, 3.5-mile Martha’s Grove Trail. Learn all about this 2,272-acre property while experiencing a variety of habitats, historic oak groves, and the remnants of an old ranch. This activity meets at the Goodan Staging Area. Call the park for more information at (858) 513-4737.
Sunday, April 20, 2025
10 a.m. – Dictionary Hill County Preserve.
Join a ranger and a local biologist for a mile hike, exploring the California coastal sage scrub habitat and a discussion on unique and rare plant species. Enjoy the view from a 1,500 ft. summit, where on a clear day you can observe the Coronado Islands, San Diego coastline, downtown, and Sweetwater Reservoir. Meet at the trail head. Call for more details at (619) 644-5492.
10:30 a.m. – Dos Picos County Park.
The Ernie Pantoja Memorial Trail is an easy 1-mile hike that boasts of coast live oak, native plants and a good view of Mount Woodson. Learn about the local plants and animals as we take to the trail, followed by a walk around Dos Picos pond. (760) 789-2220.
VOLUNTEER EVENTS
Saturday, April 26 – County Parks and Recreation has partnered with I Love a Clean San Diego to clear waste around waterways and prevent it from moving downstream. All projects will take place from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Advance registration is required - for more information, visit creektobay.org.
PARTICIPATING COUNTY PARKS:
- Lindo Lake County Park
- Old Ironsides County Park
- Otay Lakes County Park
- Rainbow County Park
- San Dieguito County Park
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.