December 12, 2025, 8AM
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
Lake Poway

WHAT: Please join Valley Center Trails Association for a hike at Blue Sky Ecological Preserve. It is an easy, shaded hike up to 6 miles going to and around Lake Poway

WHO: All ages are welcome. RSVP not required, but if you have any questions or wish to receive email notifications in the event of cancellation due to weather, contact Laury at laury@flora-family.com.

WHERE: Meet at the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve parking lot located at 16275 Espola Rd, Poway, CA 92064.

PREPARE: Dress in layers (it may start chilly and warm up) and bring a snack and plenty of water. Please meet at 8AM, and the walk will start at approximately 8:15AM.

Festive Lights “Hike”
Thursday, December 18, 2025
5:00PM

  • WHAT:  Please join Valley Center Trails Association for an easy evening hike/walk/stroll that will include some fun holiday light viewing!  Total walk will be 1.5-2 miles, with options to shorten or lengthen as we go.

  • WHO:  All ages are welcome. RSVP not required, but if you have any questions or wish to receive email notifications in the event of cancellation due to weather, contact Hannah at infovcta@gmail.com. 

  • WHERE:  Meet at McDonald’s parking lot at 27650 Valley Center Rd. 

  • PREPARE:  Dress in layers (it will be dark, and temps could be chilly), reflective or light-up gear if you have it, and bring a snack or hot drink for a festive walk.  Please meet at 5:00PM, and the walk will start at approximately 5:15PM.

For more information on how to keep Butterfield Trails County Park Natural please click the link below.

 
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Past Events at Butterfield Trails County Park

Arbor Day Video at Butterfield Trails County Park April 26, 2025

Celebrates Butterfield Trails County Park at an Open House
November 16, 2024

Watch: Video of Butterfield Trails County Park:

Celebration Picnic in the Park 2023

Thanks to the help of our local community and our friends throughout the San Diego area who supported the efforts of Friends of Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve and the Valley Center Trails Association, we have added 959 acres of park and preserve land in Valley Center. Butterfield Trails Ranch, and Rancho Lilac Preserve when developed and open to the public will have multi-use trails. This celebration is to thank everyone involved for supporting these projects, including Supervisor Jim Desmond and his staff. It takes a community effort: Thank You!

To view photo from this event, click here!

Celebration Picnic in the Park is made possible by Friends of Hellhole Canyon Open Space Preserve & Valley Center Trails Association – Your local open space and public trails advocates.

Valley Center Trails Past Events!

Valley Center Trails 5k & Kids 1/2-mile Fun Run
before the Western Days Parade

VCTrails 5K @ Western Days 2024

Palomar Observatory Tour Photo 2023

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM OUR 2023 5K

Picnic in the Park October 8, 2022

Our Picnic in the Park was a very successful community event to support Butterfield Trails Ranch becoming a San Diego County Park. We had over 600 people attend the event and gave out over 400 Ice Cream Treats. More importantly we raised support for Butterfield Trails Ranch becoming a San Diego County Park.
Butterfield Trails Ranch a key element of our vision for more recreational open space in the Valley Center area. Valley Center needs a large, beautiful Park for picnics, family outings, easy walking trails, and the preservation of natural beauty in the middle of our town. Together, we were able to show our community support for this parkland purchase to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Click to see photos from our Picnic in the Park 2022!

We have many great Parks and Preserves in San Diego County. Here are a few you many want to check out.

Daley Ranch
Los Penasquitos Canyon County Preserve
Ramona Grasslands County Preserve
Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve
San Dieguito River Park
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
Santa Margarita County Preserve
San Diego County Parks

Follow us on Facebook at Valley Center Trails Association
Valley Center Trails Association is a 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to the creation of non-motorized trails and pathways in Valley Center.

Membership in the Valley Center Trails Association is open to all individuals/households and businesses in the community. A modest membership fee is charged. Please support our efforts with your Membership or Donation. Thank you!

Membership Options