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Trails and Pathways
in Valley Center

Heritage Trail

The "Heritage Trail" was the beginning of our trail and pathways system.   This is a two-and-one-half mile pathway along Valley Center Road from Woods Valley Rd to Cole Grade Road.   It also continues along Woods Valley Rd for about one mile.  With the widening of Cole Grade Road (in 2022 or 2023) it will continue to the High School.  We hope to connect Heritage Trail and the extension along Cole Grade to Star Valley Park, Sunshine Trail, Keeyes Creek Preserve, and potentially to Rancho Lilac and Butterfield Ranch.

Sunshine Trail

When the Solar Farm project (between Valley Center Road and Vesper Road) was built, an easement was granted for this trail. This trail became known as the Sunshine Trail. This small trail segment is long, flat and great for a walks with your family. Best parking for this hike is on Vesper Rd.

Hellhole Canyon County Preserve

This open space preserve is 1907-acres it stretches from the west; near Valley View Casino to almost Rodriquez Peak on the East. It includes spectacular views, a look-out point and an amphitheater and abundant wildlife. The spring flowers can be spectacular. The property has 13.5 miles of trails. Hikers and equestrians are allowed but bicycles are not. The park also features 10 primitive campsites for organized youth groups. Check the Sdparks.org website for open / closed days. The of Friends of Hell Hole Canyon sponsor community star gazing events and a Halloween movie night.

Wilderness Gardens

This 737-acre preserve is the oldest Open Space Preserve in San Diego County. It provides a garden-like environment to bird watch, hike and listen to the frogs in the pond. The property has 4 miles of flat, family friendly trails. The Alice Fries and Upper Meadow Trail offer an opportunity to get your heart rate accelerated. Equestrians are also welcome. Listed on the County Historic Resource Board’s list of historic places, the foundation of the Sickler’s Grist Mill is a remnant of North San Diego County’s rich agricultural history. The on-site visitor’s center explains the preserve’s colorful past. Check the website for open days and times. Click link for more info on this Preserve

Links to other Parks & Preserves

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

Trails in the works:

Butterfield Trails Ranch

December 29 2023 escrow closed on Butterfield Trails Ranch making it a San Diego County property.

Next steps are likely to be a planning process for how the property will be developed as a County Park. Part of this process will be opportunities for public input. We will let you know as this proceeds; as your thoughts and opinions are important.

Thanks to the efforts of this Community and many organizations that worked on this common goal; Butterfield Trails Ranch (along Valley Center Road) is on it’s way to becoming a community park.

This will provide the entire community a beautiful park in the center of the community with huge trees, a pond, historic artifacts, and a great place to walk for young, old and everyone in between.

One of the things that makes this 60 acres a unique acquisition is that it is rich in wildlife and boarders Moosa Creek, a natural wildlife corridor from the foot of Paradise Mountain at Hellhole Canyon all the way to the San Luis Rey River at Bonsall.

Heritage Trail Extension

This trail along Cole Grade Road will add approximately 4 miles to Heritage Trail. There is a potential to connect this pathway to Star Valley Park, the Sunshine Trail, Keys Creek Preserve and perhaps even Rancho Lilac.

Keys Creek Preserve

This is 190 acres that has been purchased by the County for a habitat and wildlife preserve. The parcel at the corner of Lilac Road and Via Piedra will become the staging area (parking lot) for entry to the Preserve. The plan is to develop trails and perhaps preserve an old stone house along the Creek. This area has the potential to connect to Heritage Trail both along Valley Center Road and also Cole Grade and perhaps even to Rancho Lilac.

Rancho Lilac Preserve

The County of San Diego Department of Parks & Recreation was awarded the bid for Rancho Lilac Phase 1 from SANDAG. Phase 1 is the Resource Management Plan for “Rancho Lilac Preserve” it will be competed by the end of 2025. The resource management plan will include public multi-use trails on the property.

Ranch Lilac Preserve is 902 acres of open space along Lilac Road (near the Yellow Deli) that was acquired by Caltrans for mitigation. The Valley Center Trails Association is very excited about this new preserve. For more information on the history, cultural resources, and photos of Rancho Lilac visit our Rancho Lilac page. Link to more information on Rancho Lilac and link to Ranch Lilac Photo Galley.

Star Valley Park

42 acres acquired by the County between Vesper Road and Valley Center Road about 1 mile from the corner with Cole Grade. Currently, the Valley Center Vaqueros utilize a portion of the property for their equestrian events. The hope is that with additional funding the property can be further developed with facilities for the entire community including trails.

Our Wish List:

• Every new development, commercial or residential, includes a component requiring either or both: A public multi-use trail, or pathway around the entire property; or, a non-motorized multi-use trails or pathways within the project. All trails and pathways should be constructed to County standards.

• A staging area, that provides legal access to Daley Ranch from Valley Center.

• A bike park, (for cyclists) similar to the Crows Nest Park. That was started and later abandoned prior to completion.

Organizations with similar Goals

Friends of Daley Ranch
Valley Center Vaqueros
Friends of Hellhole Canyon Preserve
Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park