Connecting
our community

Creating
a river park system

Conserving
our natural & cultural resources

Video by Randy and Aerial Traffic. Photos by Mysteri LeMay.

Our mission is to take action to reimagine the 52 mile-long San Diego River as a natural, cultural and recreational treasure by actively engaging people through volunteerism, educational programming, advocacy and philanthropy and championing the creation of a river-long parkway from the mountains to the ocean.

2025 at a Glance

Illustration of trash can
Pounds of trash removed
Illustration of trees
Native plants & trees planted
Illustration of pencil and ruler
Students served through educational programs
Illustration of hand holding plant leaf.
Acres of land actively managed & conserved
Two men work with rakes to take care of and preserve the land along the San Diego River

Our Work

We actively conserve the River and its habitat, because a healthy river means a healthy community.

A group of hikers take a break near a bridge in Eagle Peak Ranch
Photo by Matthias Blume

Discover the River

Explore the San Diego River’s unique geography, history, and wildlife.

A group of San Diego River Park Foundation volunteers gathers to receive information and instructions.
Photo by Randy

Volunteer

Support our mission for a clean and healthy river by getting involved.

River Days:
May 9th - May 17th! 

The San Diego River Park Foundation is excited to announce our 23rd Annual San Diego River Days. Get outside with us and our many wonderful partners this Spring!

Kickoff River Days at the 5K Walk for Wildlife & Fun Run to help raise vital funds for wildlife conservation in the San Diego River watershed! 

Each year, we come together with many wonderful partner organizations to host fun nature and art activities for all ages that celebrate the San Diego River as a cultural, ecological, and recreational treasure. From Julian to Ocean Beach, and everywhere in between, get outside with us this Spring!

On Saturday, May 9th we have closed the Riverwalk Golf Course to set up a special 5K Course along and over the San Diego River. This annual event raises funds for wildlife conservation. Join the fun and make a difference!

StreetTrees

Less than $3000 Needed to Meet $25,000 Match - Help Beautify Mission Valley Parkway

Gifts need to be made by May 1st.  What a way to celebrate Earth Month!
Join the effort to transform this weedy patch to a beautiful entry to Grant Park in Mission Valley.

  • Give $10 and become a Friend of Grant Park
  • Give $125 and be recognized on a beautiful Donor Appreciation Artwork
  • Give $1000 and become a Park Patron

San Diego River Park Foundation Volunteers Continue to Document a Significant Reduction in People Experiencing Homelessness in the San Diego Riverbed During the Spring Homeless Census

April 24, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alexa Lewis-Rosenfeld, San Diego River Park Foundation, alexa@sandiegoriver.org, 619-307-0268   In the early dawn hours of April 10th and 11th, 2026, 49 community members came together […]

Sarah headshot

The State of the San Diego River:
a discussion with COO Sarah Hutmacher May 2nd

Come meet one of San Diego’s Conservation Leaders, Sarah Hutmacher, at Grant Park on May 2nd! She is the COO and the inspiration behind several of the River Park Foundation’s programs. Hear what it’s like to be a woman in this field and her insights about a range of topics from the health of the river and our State of the River Report to homelessness and wildlands restoration.

Check out these AMAZING free River Days events

Join us at these select River Days community events May 9 though May 17!

  • El Monte Valley Cleanup - May 9th
  • SDRAA Art Reception At Santa Ysabel Gallery - May 9
  • Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve East Wildflower Hike - May 10
  • River Readers Nature Storytime - May 12
  • DarkSky Event At Grant Park - May 14
  • Mosquito Control and the San Diego River Presentation
    San Diego County Vector Control Program - May 16
  • SDRAA Art Reception at Grant Park - May 16
  • Sky Hunters Raptor Presentation - May 17

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