This is a great place to go for a walk or run. I started on the east side of Lakeside. The trail leads all the way to Santee and past The Lakeside Base Ball Park. What I really liked about the trail was that it was well maintained and the scenery was very nice. It's a great place to walk and talk. On the trail there are sections where there are small lakes and ponds with wild life to check out along the San Diego River. I observed a few benches a long the the trail. There's dirt parking on both ends and a lot more at the base ball field that I mentioned. Oh yes! I did spot a coyote on the trail, so be on alert if you bring a small pet or child. read more

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Such a beautiful trail to walk in the early morning! The trail is well kept for bikes and bringing your pets. You can look out to the lake as you walk along the trail. Although being right next to the lake there aren't many mosquitoes. Along the trail they have benches, informational signs, and dog poop bags! read more

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When we move to San Diego, I need a place to relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, and this trail is perfect since it's nearby. The walking path is very easy, and I feel safe walking here, even early in the morning or in the evening, due to the nearby houses. Unfortunately, I can't use my drone, but I understand the restrictions. If you're looking for a short walk, I highly recommend it. read more

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This is a great little trail. I've ridden it a couple of times on my e-bike. Parts of it are scenic as it runs along the San Diego River and next to a golf course. There are benches and places to stop along the way. I like to ride from Santee to Eastbound Bar and Grill for a happy hour snack and then ride back read more

Walker Preserve - Walker Preserve Trail - Parks Near Me - Santee, California

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If u want a clean, peaceful, spacious and easy walk this is the place. 3 miles there and back and done in less than an hr. Parking is easy also! read more

Neat walking trails. Lots of nature signs explaining the various plants and bodies of water during the trail. I overheard there are parts of this trail where homeless people may reside in the bushes. I stood across a small pond and saw tents set up and heard voices talking in that area. Oddly there are some nice houses set up as well on the trail that lead to some nicer neighborhoods. Someone told me one of the trails shoots across to Lakeside. read more

This is an absolutely fantastic trail for walking and riding bicycles, and stretches a good 6 miles. A mixture of dirt and packed sand makes for a perfect bicycle ride in my opinion! And, it makes you work for it more than on a paved road. Plus, the views just can't be beat; bunny rabbits, squirrels, birds, the reservoir on one side and the golf course on another in one section, eucalyptus trees making such a wonderful aroma, and all sorts of flora and fauna that are maintained daily. read more

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Great flat and fairly straight walking trail. The surface is good for jogging as well. I started at Magnolia and enjoyed seeing the mountains as I walked further in. I would like to say it is just shy of three miles, so a 5+ round trip. There is porta potty at the beginning, and a recreational area with restrooms a mile in. read more

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Nice trail that is well maintained and is safe. Great for families and bikers due to the width

Beautiful walking trail that appeals to everyone. Flat terrain good for bikes, families with strollers, walking and running. Lots of dog poop receptacles with bags along the way if you need them. read more

Nice trail. Perfect for running or doing sprints! Also good for taking your dogs for a walk or riding bikes. It's a dirt trail, easy on the feet. The air seems clean and fresh even though it's close to the road. Views of the San Diego River and gorgeous sunsets! read more

If you're looking for a decent run, then it's a good place. About 3 miles f a clean wide path with almost no elevation. I basically run twice back and forward to get my 6 miles run. Beautiful and picturesque trail with lots of parking off street. read more

Walker Preserve - Clean trails. - Parks Near Me - Santee, California

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This new trail system just recently opened in the later part of 2015 and follows along the San Diego river in Santee. The main entrance for this park is off Mast Blvd. where you'll find a big lot that is gated off leaving to resort to street only parking. Also in the main lot are chairs, tables, doggie bags, and a fixit station for your bike. The map for the trail shows that it stretches all the way out to lakeside on Channel Road. So it's a 1.5 mile walk to Lakeside and can continue for up to 3 miles total. I was stressed for time so I only made it half the way this day, but I will definitely come back to finish the entire thing maybe when running. The trail road itself is very defined and wide surrounded by a logged fence. The trail is super easy to follow and there are benches for breaks along the way. Because the path is so wide it can easily be shared by runners and bikes at the same time. The path is relatively very flat, so in my opinion it's a super easy run. The road does open up when it reaches the baseball fields but turns back into a trail. The trail system itself is pretty nice and has some great views of the river along the way. The plants and dirt along the way give it a desert-like feel. I'm rather impressed at all the work and effort that went into making this trail system possible for the residents of east county San Diego. In my opinion there can never be enough of these open space preserves within city limits to give people a chance to enjoy our nice weather we have here. I was very glad to see that Santee was able to make this area possible. Although it's a very short urban-style trail, it is great having another one close by. I suppose during the summer months, it will get quite hot out here though. There is no real shade along the path at all. read more

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Great trail system that they have here. The first time I came here, I walked the entire 3 mile radius at night and it was very peaceful. I came back in the daytime and noticed that there was a lake. The trail is very clean with no trash littered. The lake is absolutely beautiful and definitely great for taking pictures near. The trail is basic and great to walk or run. I recommend this place. read more

This is a fairly new Open Space area so it still has that new car smell - meaning the place looks great like construction just finished yesterday. Walkers Preserve is a very nice area with a versatile trail and river access that will be usable by everyone from runners, mountain bikers, to hikers. There were a variety of native plants and trees represented that once established will fill in the blank spots along the trail really well and will do a great job of attracting native wildlife. My real disappointment with this open area is with the city / county planners; in that several of the more water-loving native trees (Western Sycamore for example) were planted on the far side of the trail up away from the river. Long term this is a problem because those trees will always need a greater amount of water that has to be supplied artificially; whereas, had a better decision been made and more drought tolerant trees (like the native coastal oaks) were planted in those areas, less water or no additional / special water source beyond nature would have been needed. Drought tolerant trees and shrubs planted up from the river would reduce the long term costs for watering (saving the tax payers money and the regions already depleted water) and they would have better reflected the flora of the southern California Chaparral, Riparian, and Coastal scrub communities that the preserve is meant to reflect. Just as bad as not paying attention to the specific needs of the vegetation planted are the informational signs. Several of the signs list the wrong scientific names for the plants shown and / or show pictures of the desert varieties wherein the Coastal scrub / chaparral species should have been listed. Despite these unnecessary mistakes on the part of the planners this is a great open space for the local residents and visitors alike. read more

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Popular (3-mile) multi-use 14-foot-wide mainly flat hard-packed dirt trail parallel to the San Diego River extending north from Magnolia to Lakeside Baseball Park (1/2-mile away and only restrooms), under the bridge at at Riverford Rd (1 mile away) and then into and through Lakeside River Park ending at Channel near Lakeside (3 miles away). There seems to be a plan to eventually also extend the trail south from Magnolia - but right now the trial dead ends under the bridge at the border of privately-owned land. A large dirt parking lot at the trailhead is reserved for official county vehicles only. I'm not sure where the best place to park might be - but there are several side access trails from the neighborhoods adjacent to the trail so maybe on a residential street if there is space available - or in the busy Lakeside Baseball Park parking lot.... read more

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Beautiful trail. Really good option for people walking with strollers too it's a flat trail and really wide.

This is a great new park I just found out about. It has pleanty of benches and picnic tables scattered along the way. There was an abundance of rabbits I saw a few birds too. The signs say there are coyotes, fox, rabbits deer and bobcats. A beautiful place to spend time with family friends since I didn't make it to the very end I made it to where I thought was the end so I cant say if there are any restrooms or not. There are lots of signs to read all along the wide trail. As other reviews have pointed out there is a bicycle repair station complete with airpump, tools, a rack to hang your bike on while making repairs and a misting station. read more

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Love this place the walk is very liberating its peaceful and there alot of trails that you can find if you really look. People are friendly and everyone is very welcoming. read more

Walker Preserve - Parks Near Me - Santee, California

The best part about the trail is the city lets you participate in a citizen fundraiser while you walk! First a city employee blocks the street parking with signs, so when you park in a space encroaching the bike lane a nice police officer will give you a donation slip on your windshield to fill out. It's good to know we're funding multiple city jobs with this trail! read more

Love this trail It's clean & beautiful with friendly people to say hi to along the way. Dog friendly environment with doggy station (water,poop bags,&trash) There is access to the lake to let your dog splash around too. For bike rider's, they have a station to fix a flat tire or take a break under a mister to help cool down. I'm really impressed with this trail there is so much to say but go check it out yourself read more

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First time user of the trail. In great shape and wide path. Clean and kept up nicely. COVID 19 rock snake is beautiful. Will bring a painted rock next visit. read more

We had a great time while visiting the Walker Preserve today, what a beautiful way to spend the morning. The trail is wide and well maintained, perfect for all ages. read more

More city parks, a great concept! And I'd properly review the stroll-ability and ambiance of the park itself if I could ever get past the fact that there is a HUGE parking lot available (paid for with our continually WASTED tax dollars) that is NEVER open to the public. The street parking is utter insanity on weekends, esp if bringing dogs and kids. I'm not sure who's brain child these "parking lot issues" are, but it's annoying to the point that we'll go elsewhere. Yes, that means a little more dangerous street parking for you. read more

My husband and I were visiting relatives in Santee and wanted to take a walk on the Walker Preserve which we had heard so much about. The trail itself was nice and wide and well maintained with an easy grade. There were many nice educational signs, warnings and mileage markers. There were lovely benches along the way; however, there was absolutely NO areas of shade anywhere along the trail. The temperatures were only about 77 degrees but it was uncomfortably warm on the trail. It seems such a shame that the planners of the Walker Preserve didn't see the need for shading some of the benches of this walking area. read more

A must for families & singles to Run/Jog/walk/stroll! The walking track is excellent and the ppl in the area are super sweet!