By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 20, 2021 (Campo) -- San Diego County supervisors voted Wednesday to buy the 2,151-acre, historic Star Ranch area in Campo, its largest acquisition of sensitive habitat, wetlands, potential passive park land and hiking trails in a decade.

County officials said the land will provide a permanent home for sensitive species and conserve important habitat including 200 acres of wetlands, and it could eventually provide a large park and connections for hikers to nearby trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail.

East County News Service 

May 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring is here – time to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. The County is offering a series of special hikes in county parks, from leisurely strolls to a rugged “Warrior hike challenge” up El Capitan.

Find details below provided by County Parks: 

East County News Service

January 8, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Jacumba Hikers are invited to join Omegamaniacs for their next hike Saturday, January 12 - Bow Willow and Rockhouse Canyons Loop.  This is a moderate 8 mile (5 hour) hike located northwest of Ocotillo off S-2.   Hikers will travel through canyons in the Carrizo Gorge Wilderness with the halfway point an old cattleman’s line shack.

 <

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

August 9, 2018 (Ramona) -  It has been a record-breaking hot summer in San Diego County.  With temperatures hitting triple digits in our backcountry areas, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE San Diego and other agencies have been busy rescuing hikers who didn't prepare for the heat and sometimes treacherous terrain.  

After numerous dog deaths on local park trails, owners taking dogs hiking in hot weather can now be cited for animal cruelty.

By Ranger Rebecca Smart, Mission Trails Regional Park

August 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- Ready to get out and hike this summer? Great! The Rangers at Mission Trails have essential hiking info to share with you.

Follow these hiking guidelines every time you, and any four-legged companions, hit the trails this Summer; and you’ll be trail Rockstars for sure.

By Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2017 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Adventurer Dana Law will present a travelogue about the West Coast’s national scenic trail on Tuesday, July 18 at the Jacumba Library (44605 Old Hwy 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934 at 6 p.m. On 31 separate journeys over 13 years, Law completed all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, which begins in California at the Mexican border and ends at the Canadian border in Washington.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  The trail out to and back from Three Sisters Falls is steep and often slippery.

April 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - San Diego County’s bountiful rainy season led to a wildflower super bloom in the deserts and cascading waterfalls in our mountains, each drawing a flood of visitors. Some of these hikers have been unprepared for the strenuous activity and became sick or injured. That’s resulted in a slight uptick in rescues or medical assistance, CAL FIRE and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department report.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) - Robin Rierdan with the Lakeside Rive Park Conservancy will lead a series of four beautiful hikes through Lakeside. The first is this Friday, February 10^th along the Flume Trail in El Monte Valley.  Space is limited and registration is required by Thursday. Register here.

Update: Hear our interview with Paige Rogowski, Executive Director of the Anza Borrego Foundation and Diana Lindsey,  past president of the Foundation and historian for Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Listen now by clicking the audio link.

Guided hikes are also available

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Anza-Borrego) – In celebration of Anza-Borrego Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, Anza-Borrego Foundation and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are inviting visitors to complete two five-hike challenges on some of the most famous (and infamous) peaks and trails in the region.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Lakeside) -- Remember our service members this Memorial Day with an unforgettable ascent up El Capitan. 

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant to support Destination East Couny.

January 19, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes disaster preparedness classes, hawk watching in Alpine, wine tasting with East County wineries from along Highway 94, desert hikes, and Health Awareness Month in Santee. 

July 6, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego Parks and Recreation has a plentitude of events planned around East County in the month of July.  There is something for everyone, from Ranger led hikes, playing earthball and star parties.  Below is a list of some of the events happening this month.  For a full list please visit http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/index.html.

June 11, 2013 (San Diego) – County of San Diego Parks and Recreation has activities at parks throughout East County.  Activities include everything from guided hikes to Snakes ‘N Skins for the younger set.  Following is a list of events at East County parks:

DOS PICOS REGIONAL PARK

17953 Dos Picos Park Rd, Ramona | (760) 789-2220

FREE SATURDAY PROGRAMS

Every Saturday

Free Saturday programs meet at the Amphitheater at the scheduled time. Programs may change or cancel without notice depending upon the weather and Ranger availability. The Ranger needs to have at least 10 people for each program to begin.