City of San Diego Parks

City Administration Building
11th Floor, 202 C Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 525-8213

Explore San Diego City Parks!

San Diego is the second largest city in California and the eighth largest city in the United States, located along the Pacific Ocean on the West coast of the Western United States. The California Department of Finance's latest figures estimate the city's population at 1,336,865. 

This coastal city is also the county seat of San Diego County as well as the economic center of the San Diego–Carlsbad–San Marcos metropolitan area. As of 2008, this metropolitan area is the 17th-largest in the United States with a population of 3,146,274 and the 21st-largest metropolitan area in the Americas when including Tijuana, Mexico. According to Forbes Magazine the city of San Diego ranks as the fifth wealthiest in the United States.

San Diego's economy is largely composed of agriculture, biotechnology/biosciences, computer sciences, electronics manufacturing, defense-related manufacturing, financial and business services, ship-repair and construction, software development, telecommunications, and tourism. The presence of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) with the affiliated UCSD Medical Center promotes research in biotechnology.

San Diego is home to several developed regional parks that attract millions of visitors each year. Both residents and visitors from around the globe take advantage of San Diego’s great weather to walk, bike or swim, visit a museum, take a tour, or have a picnic in one of these well known parks.

Balboa Park
This significant horticultural and cultural resource has more than 15,000 trees, 14 specialty gardens, nearly 100 arts, educational, recreational, social and sports organizations, 14 museums and is home to the World Famous San Diego Zoo and Old Globe Theatre.

Mission Bay Park
This 4,235 acres park is approximately half land and half water and is the largest man-made public aquatic recreational area in the world.

Presidio Park
Considered by many to be the West Coasts’ Plymouth Rock, this park offers over 50 acres nestled on a hill over looking Mission Bay, San Diego Bay, Mission Valley and the Pacific Ocean. The Serra Museum educates and excites visitors with the park history and San Diego’s past. Presidio Park is a horticultural cornucopia, flourishing with native and non-native species. All this can be observed exploring Presidio Parks more than 2 miles of trails, situated in the middle of urban San Diego.

Shoreline Parks
Extending from Torrey Pines City Park South to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, this coastal system includes 65 view areas and coastal access points.

Open Space within the City of San Diego is defined as areas generally free from development or developed with low intensity uses that respect natural environmental characteristics. Open Space Parks are used for purposes such as preservation of natural resources, passive outdoor recreation and scenic and visual enjoyment.

Mission Trails Regional Park
One of the largest urban parks west of the Mississippi, this park has over 5,900 acres of open space providing visitors the chance to participate in a wide variety of hikes and multi-educational programs. Mission Trails Regional Park also includes Kumeyaay Campground.

Tri-Canyon Parks
Comprised of Marian Bear Memorial Park , Rose Canyon Open Space Park and Tecolote Canyon Natural Park & Nature Center these 3 open space parks are made up of 1,500 acres and include trails for hiking, biking, and bird watching in unique natural habitats.

Mission Valley Preserve
Fifty-two acres of the San Diego River Park is known as Mission Valley Preserve and is under the supervision of the Park and Recreation Department Tri-Canyon Park Rangers.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
With over 4,000 acres of open space, this Preserve is home to many rare and endangered plant and animal species. Visitors using the 37 miles of multi-use trails have the opportunity to pass through 14 different habitat types and view a waterfall.

Black Mountain Open Space Park
This park is comprised of 2,352 acres, has trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use and has over 80 species of birds. The centerpiece of the park is the 1,554 foot summit of Black Mountain which provides 360 degree views of the area.

Open Space Canyons and Parklands
Open Space canyons are located throughout the City of San Diego and you may find one just beyond your own backyard. A map is available for locating a canyon close to you. Trail maps are also available for exploring what is right in your own community.

San Pasqual / Clevenger Canyon Open Space Park
This park offers great hiking and bird watching, including a challenging 1755 foot summit.

Otay Valley Regional Park

These recreational areas are managed in part by the City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department or our partner agencies and offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities that can be enjoyed year-round.

• San Diego River Park
• San Dieguito River Park
• Chollas Lake Park
• City Lakes Program
• Beaches