Spring Events, Hikes & 5K
Museum Open House
Saturday 5/3 at 5PM - 7PM
A longtime collaborator with VCTrails, the local history museum is hosting an open house featuring a new exhibit celebrating Western Days, live music, face painting, scavenger hunt, and more... Maybe we can squeeze in a quick walk in the trail behind the museum and library! I'll see you there.
Daley Ranch Family Hike
Saturday 5/10 at 1PM
The March family event at Wilderness Gardens was so much fun, we'll be adding more family-friendly hikes on our calendar! For now, we'll wrap up our spring hikes on May 10 with an afternoon kid-friendly hike at Daley Ranch from the La Honda entrance. More details to follow.
All are welcome to our hikes. Hikes are subject to cancellation if there is a heat warning in effect, if there is steady rain one hour before, or if there has been substantial rain during the 24 hour period before the hike. Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless otherwise specified. Contact infovcta@gmail.com to get on our email list and receive emails about our events. We update this page as new hikes become available.
Valley Center Trails 5k
before
The Western Days Parade
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Details and link to register below.
WHEN:
May 31, 2025
7:20AM same-day registration
8:00AM plan to arrive before the roads close
8:15AM warm up with CrossFit Valley Center
8:30AM roads close, and 5k will start shortly after
9:30AM Kids 12 and under ½ mile fun run starts
9:45AM winners announced
WHERE:
Start and finish near the Community Center at Valley Center Road and Lilac Road. The roads close at 8:30 for the parade, so give yourself plenty of time to arrive and park well before 8:30!
ROUTE:
The route is an out-and-back along the entire parade route between the Community Center and School Bus Lane (on Cole Grade). There is a one-hour cut-off time for race participants. There is one water/Gatorade station at the intersection of Valley Center Road and Indian Creek Road. Participants pass the drink station on the way out and again on the way back.
REGISTRATION:
Register by May 10, 2025 to ensure you receive your preferred t-shirt size. For non-members of VCTA (and also past members who have yet to renew for 2025), the registration fee will include membership to VCTA for the remainder of 2025. Current VCTA members get discounted rate.
Registration includes:
Race entry
Race bib
Event t-shirt
Water/snacks at event
Special gift for first 50 participants to complete the register form & pay the registration fee!
How to Register for the 5K
Link to Registration Form: Please complete form online.
After you register, you will be directed to PayPal. The link can also be found Here.
REGISTRATION FEES:
$25 for members (13 and up on race day)
$30 for nonmembers (13 and up on race day)
$15 for children ages 12 and under on race day
PACKET PICKUP:
We will have packets (bibs, event t-shirts, etc.) available for pick-up at the Western Days Festival at the Community Center (28246 Lilac Road) at two different times. This is also the same place you'll park for the 5k event.
May 30 from 5PM - 6:30PM or May 31from 7:20 - 8:20AM
If you are not attending the event in person, please reach out so we can arrange to get your packet to you!
Waivers
Each event participant gets to sign not just one but TWO event waivers. Both are provided at the packet pickup and online prior to the event. You may print them and bring them to the event, and we'll also have plenty of copies available on site. Participants under 18 will need a parent/guardian to sign. Please reach out if you have any questions.
To print both waivers. Thank you!
County of San Diego Athlete Waiver
Valley Center Trails 5K Waiver
What to Expect May 31
Parking will be available near the Western Days Festival. We will be present with packets for pick up, waivers, and any day-of registrations. The roads close for the parade at 8:30, at which point we'll do a warmup and then begin our 5k! The 5k route takes us up Valley Center Road to Cole Grade, with a turnaround at School Bus Lane. We have an hour to complete the event, and so if you haven't made it to the turnaround point after a half hour, then you can either turn around wherever you are to get back to the finish or you can continue to School Bus Lane parade staging area and walk back in the parade with VCTA. Someone will be out on the 5k route to remind you of your options when the time comes!
Water and snacks will be available at the finish. Participants of the 5k might want to stick around for the kids’ fun run (estimated start time of 9:30AM) to cheer on our youngest runners.
All are welcome and encouraged to stay for the Western Days parade after the 5k. If you haven't been before, it really is a fun parade!! For those (like me!) who plan to walk in the parade with VCTA, the staging area for the parade is back on Cole Grade. You can walk or take a shuttle back to the staging area.
FAQs
Q: Can I participate virtually? (Translation: Can I register for the 5k just for the swag, even if I don't attend the 5k?)
A: Yes! Even if you're out of town on May 31 or already working your tail off at Western Days, you can still sign up and get the 5k benefits!! Your membership will be renewed, AND you get a cool shirt. Register soon to be one of the first 50 to register and receive a special gift. What better way to represent Valley Center and VC Trails than sporting a cool t-shirt out on the trails? If you can't attend the scheduled pick-ups for the shirts on May 30 or 31, just reach out to arrange pick up, delivery, or mail. I'll get you your stuff, don't worry. I want us to match on our next hike together.
Q: How long do I have to register?
A: You can register all the way until the morning of the event. We won't turn you away! However, if you want to guarantee that you'll receive your shirt at the event, register by May 10. (We do appreciate early registrations!)
Q: I want to register but simply can't afford it...can I just come to run/walk?
A: Please do not let cost keep you from this event!! We have sponsors willing to support our community so it's an all-inclusive event. Email Hannah at infovcta@gmail.com.
Past Events:
Celebrates Butterfield Trails County Park at an Open House
November 16, 2024
Watch: Video of Butterfield Trails County Park:
November 9, 2024
Palomar Observatory Tour Photo
VCTrails 5K @ Western Days 2023
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM OUR 2023 5K
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!
Featured Speakers for Celebration Picnic in the Park Oct. 14, 2023
Stephanie Holbrook, Founder of Wings of Change is a guest speaker at our Celebration Picnic in the Park on Oct. 14th. Wings of Change is spreading the word about the importance of butterflies and how they ultimately affect everything in our environment. At the Wings for Change booth, you can create a native seed ball that will create butterfly habitats.
Stephanie will be speaking about the Monarch Migration.
Krista Brown will be a featured speaker at our Celebration Picnic in the Park on October 14, 2023. Krista Brown is a licensed wildlife rehabilitation professional with over 35 years of hands-on rescue work. She rescues sick, hurt and orphaned wildlife & cares for them until they are healthy and then she releases they back to the wild. Meet Krista and learn what you can do if you see injured or sick wildlife.
Hillary Hankey and Katie Pnewski & their owls from Avian Behavior International are guest speakers at our Celebration Picnic in the Park on Oct. 14th. They are speaking on “Coexisting with Owls in San Diego County”.
Our Appreciation and Thank You to:
Our property hosts: Wayne Hilbig and his family
Musicians: Marsi & Charles Carr for today’s music
Event sponsor: Rincon Tribe
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.
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!