Santa Margarita River Preserve Hike

Saturday, April 11, 2026
8:00AM

WHAT: Please join Valley Center Trails Association for a nice, shaded trail next to a stream that is always running. This beautiful trail meanders along the Santa Margarita River which makes for a green forest. It is a 2.6-mile hike round-trip if we decide to turn back where the shade canopy weakens, or 5.2 miles if we go all the way to Willow Glen Rd at the other end, or anything in between. We can decide when to turn back depending on the weather, enthusiasm, etc. The first half is fairly flat and the second half has some steep parts. A few spots are a little treacherous because they go across granite rock with the trail sloping sideways, so you might want trekking poles. There are about 10 side trails which lead to river crossings. We won’t require you to wade across the stream, but you can if you wish as long as you come back! Horses are not allowed on the first portion of the trail, but they are on the further part.

WHERE: The trailhead is near the NE end of Sandia Creek Rd. To get there from Mission Rd in the NW corner of Fallbrook, turn north on N Pico Ave, which quickly becomes De Luz Rd. Go north 1.2 miles, where Sandia Creek Rd. splits off to the right. Don’t be confused by the De Luz parking lot to the left. That trailhead is only useful for horses. Continue to the right on Sandi Creek Rd. another 1.2 miles. The parking lot & trailhead is on your right. If you miss that, you’ll cross a bridge and go only 600 feet before the road ends. Turn around and come back to the parking lot. A google link to trailhead parking lot is HERE.

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. Leashed, well-behaved dogs that are prepared to hike in a group are allowed.

PREPARE: Dress in layers. This time of year could be sunny but also chilly. Wear sun protection, bring a snack, and bring more water than you think you’ll need.

Meet at 8AM at the parking lot, and the hike will start promptly.

Butterfield Trails County Park

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!

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