Coming to this location for a family hike was a great decision. We have had a very trial ridden…read morepast three weeks and we needed some time to get away for a special hike. When you approach this area, you can easily be misdirected to the county regional park. To avoid this before you go up the hill to the entrance of the county regional park make a right into the driveway that shows the Sweetwater Reservoir. Once you get in there, you will go along a long dirt road to a parking lot that is eventually located next to the Reservoir fishing area. It is a beautiful trail and it's wonderful to be able to walk around the water and see ducks and birds and other wildlife as well as beautiful plants like Manzanita and chaparral. It is a wonderful trail hike, with beautiful and refreshing wind and sunshine. They have Porta potties that are super clean and well-maintained. I would say the porta potties are about a half a mile apart. They also have a bench with an overlook platform along the trail, and everything that we encountered seem to be very clean and well maintained. We will definitely visit this place again and it is definitely a wonderful place to hike. We were able to get out and started to explore the trail and after about 15 minutes, we realized that there was a Ranger honking at us with his siren coming around the bend. He made his way up to us in his truck and indicated that he would be closing the gate to the park in the next five minutes. We told him that we were told by the Park Ranger at the SD County Park check in booth that this trail closes at 8 PM tonight. He then said that we were not the only family to tell him that but that the Sweetwater Reservoir Trail Park actually closes at 5 PM because it's not a part of the SD County Regional Parks; they close at 8p. We rushed back to our vehicle, which was about a mile and a half away and we were able to get in and leave. We were very lucky that this Park Ranger decided to wait for us because we would've been locked into four or five gates and not able to actually get out of the park, even to get an Uber. This was great to understand and know so that when we go next time, we'll go a lot earlier before 5 PM.

I was in the Bonita community earlier this summer and wanted to do a medium length hike, A search…read moreresult came back with this trail at the Sweetwater Summit Regional Park. The staff member at the guard station indicated that I could use the day lot to park my vehicle since I was only hiking and not camping on the grounds. The path was pretty well maintained, but it also doubled as a horseback riding trail so occasionally one would have to dodge the mounds of dung left behind. Sweetwater Reservoir was off to the north of the trail. That body of water gave a nice scenic backdrop. The trek was up and down the foothills before looping back towards the start for a total of just over five miles. I expected to see more mountain bikers because the contours and breaks were conducive for that type of cycling without being too strenuous. There was no shade except for a hut at the peak of the hike. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and plenty of water were a must during the daytime. I would rate this hike as moderate because there were a couple of spots where the ascent did make one breathe much harder than usual. My overall rating for this trek was between three and four stars.

I feel bad about leaving negative feedback on a FREE park, of all things. But I felt that the space…read morewas unsafe and dirty, so based on my recent impressions, I don't recommend this hike. We arrived before 8AM so the parking lots at the staging areas still had their gates closed. We parked on Hollister, around a block before Main. It did not look like there were any parking restrictions. So we started the hike on the western side of the park, which based on prior Yelp reviews, probably is not the best area to hike. As we progressed through the hike, we headed past multiple tents (unclear if seeing a portion of a homeless encampment or just scattered tents). We got startled by someone who seemed to materialize suddenly outside a tent into the trail. But what made us leave the area was an individual who was yelling angrily and cursing heading toward us. Maybe he was just not a morning person, but we clearly couldn't go any further. Other issues: Each dog we came across was an unleashed dog. The owners would be far behind, so the first two times, I thought they were wild dogs and was not certain of their friendliness. As an avid hiker, this does not seem to be the usual hiking etiquette. Trail is clearly demarcated and paved, but it seemed to have squashed piles of poo versus mud. Initially we went in the wrong direction and went under a dark bridge (see photo, which makes it look less ominous than it actually was). I think this direction actually does take people on a specific trail, but this one was not part of the 8mi out-and-back hike we were planning. If you end up here, you likely took a wrong turn. As we walked, I felt that the park smelled like eucalyptus mixed with something not so pleasant. Not sure what it was, but we had to switch frequently to mouth -breathing, which is not a typical problem I have during hikes. It was meant to be an 8mi hike but we turned back early because we did not feel very comfortable after being possibly chased so ended up just completing 1.6mi. Again, I hate to criticize parks, especially such a large natural space in a sea of urbanity. But this was not a fun hike, and I will never return unless the area becomes less unwelcoming.

I have walked the full length of this park, and now I understand the mixed reviews. It is an urban…read morepark with the good, bad, and the ugly. If you are near Chula Vista, it is great having a nature trail within a few miles from Downtown CV. First of all, it's a misnomer to call it a park. It is a four mile hiking path, so expect to walk eight miles if you want to do the full length since it is one way. Its endpoints are near Highway 5 and 805. The western canyon section is my favorite. You walk parallel to the river with a view of Otay Mountain in the distance. It has dense fauna so you forget about the houses above you and the glimpses of the main road. The trail is not well marked, but it is pretty straight and level so you can't really get lost. On the western portion there are paths that crisscross. The fire utility access road on a higher plain, the "main" path, and a segway closer to the river. It is mixed surfaces varying between sandy loam, gravel, and small loss rock. You can make it with sneakers, but I prefer hiking boots . In contrast, the western portion is a bit like an apocalyptic movie set. Personally I wouldn't go pass Fenton Pond. As I reached towards the Imperial Beach border, there were underpass sections with some sketchy folks. I came across a few tents and a zombie like woman with her long hair covering her face. The path shares a section with Bella Terra nursery, which makes spruces up the barren landscape but there was an overwhelming smell of fertilizer. There is a constant hum of traffic and the nearby trolley. Since it is near urban centers, you will find graffiti and garbage anywhere by main roads. There are multiple entry points, but unless you are local they are not easy to find. I recommend starting at the ranger station on Beyer Blvd. with a parking lot and good signage. If you are within thirty minute drive, I would recommend visiting this "park." My last tip is to cross the street from the parking lot in lieu of looping around the underpass.

Nice open park, with two playgrounds. One is for older kids with lots of things to climb on and two…read moreswings. The tot playground is still decent for younger kids. Ample room to run around, play soccer or basketball on the court. There is. A nice track/sidewalk that goes around the loop. Only downside, no bathrooms.

7/19/23 First time here, looking for a place to walk my dog that is cool and shady amidst this…read morepending heatwave! Here are my first impressions... Pros: *YES!!! Lots of shade and cool at around 5p in July! *Not terribly crowded when we walked here...hidden gem! *Good sized grassy area to set up sports practice, have a picnic, or rest awhile...when I was here there was a kids soccer camp with just 2 groups of kiddos CONS: *Cobwebs in the drinking fountain near the playground...bring your own water! (See picture) *Cobwebs in the doggie poo bag dispenser....please remember to bring your own bags and pick up after your pup! (See picture) NOTES: *Yelp map does not take you to the park....it takes you about 0.5 miles past to a random intersection. (See pictures) After posting this review, I will let Yelp know. Use directions from the CV Parks & Rec website instead (https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/explorer-park) *I didn't see a parking lot...I parked on the street as did others. Parking was not a problem when I was here. Can't say for sure on holidays.

Cute park away from busy streets. Parking was easy and there is a big open field to run with pets.read more

Great park to take kids to! They have a nice playground with squishy rubber ground underneath it. A…read morehuge green field to run around in. They have grills and picnic tables too. You can get a nice view of the mountains from this park as well.

We had a great time with Emil on a 1 hr ride through rain and snow flurries. The ride was safe,…read morewell paced and super fun. I would recommend wearing some waterproof pants/jacket if you are going during such weather. This is my new favorite activity! Can't wait to do it again.

I booked this adventure for 2 reasons: (1) to FINALLY get out of the house during this pandemic…read moreespecially since all we have been doing is working and we have been working more than ever since our job is considered 'essential', and (2) celebrate my boyfriends 30th birthday. This was my first time on a quad/ATV and my boyfriend has been riding dirt bikes since he was like 6yrs old. I love being outdoors & going on new adventures, and he loves riding ... so the mixture of those things i came upon this place. For birthdays I love and prefer creating memories instead of giving materialistic gifts. Example: For his 28th birthday I booked us a little personal speed boat in San Diego. Upon arrival check-in was easy, quick, and they gave us hand sanitizer so we felt assured. They had helmets and other PPE lined up and available for us to use, however we had brought our own (riding gloves, riding jerseys, riding DOT certified helmets, and googles) which they allow. Our guide Jorge was funny and very easy going. The ride overall was really fun!! During our ride our guide also took pictures of us and he took some awesome ones with amazing backdrops! The only complaint I have was that I only booked us the 1 hour ride. Next time we are doing the 2 hour ride for sure! And maybe the Big Bear location as well.

A very good park that many say it's in NC some say Bonita, either one it's a good park for…read morebirthdays, events & just to chill & grill & bring the kids. Been coming here since the 80's & till this day they still have the train & it's cool. It's 2 parks connected so 2 lots. They have a Playground & baseball field & basketball courts. The park is well kept, good grass, clean & restrooms are clean which is great because most parks don't keep that clean. Park Rangers/staff to go around to make sure everything is cool which is good. Reserve the tent places if it's a big event for weekend uses because it can get busy. If drinking please use the red cup don't be an ass & get caught & mess it up for the rest of us, don't be that guy. And don't liter, clean up after yourself. Overall good park with good, clean vibes :)

I've been coming to this park since I was a teenager. This has always been my favorite park. I've…read morehad parties, bbq's here. I've worked out jogging around the whole park. Played softball and other sports for fun. It is very clean and quite big and now I take my dog to the dog park. Bathrooms are clean. It's very well kept. Plenty of parking. If you're looking for a place have a party, play sports or just hang out, this is a great park to come to.

I stumbled upon this little park while visiting Coronado Island for the first time and I am so glad…read moreI did. It was so serene and peaceful- the perfect spot to rest if you need some peace and quiet. We went on a weekday afternoon and there was only one other person there. The views are absolutely stunning. They have a few benches to sit down, but I would say bring a small blanket to lie down on the grass next to the water. We parked right across the street in the residential area. I would assume this place gets really busy on the weekends and parking might be tough. It's super worth a visit, even if you can only stop by for a minute to take in the views!

Such a great little park. Perfectly quiet in the morning and a superb place to pray and do…read moredevotions. Lovely benches and unobstructed views of the city. All types of waterfowl to enjoy. Easy parking and a joy to bike to. Bike paths all across Coronado make this a must see spot.

My kids love it here. The ramps help face their fears. Each time they get better and better.read more

It's a cool little use of space for kids that like to do more mountain or dirt terrain type biking…read more Parking is a little difficult because it's tucked away behind apts... but there was available street parking within walking distance. If you have young elementary school children... there needs to be some middle to upper level confidence on your bike to tackle some of the tracks. I recommend having your little one walk their bike through the tracks to understand the physical feel of the grade. There are some pretty steep bumps and the kiddo needs to understand enough about pedaling through to the apex of the bump... or gravity will pull them back down and you might have some owchies. The black track is easier than the wooden tracks but does have some sharp turns. Wear sunscreen. Long pants. Helmet and bring water. Pretty fun but do approach with some caution.

My take on this park is a bit different from that of others who've reviewed it here…read more The only time I've actually set foot on park property was to launch boats, a straightforward procedure that the park is well-equipped to support. Mostly, I see the park from the water, when, while fishing, I drift along the seawall or poke in amongst the boats in the marina, looking for fish that are trying not to be found. The place looks pretty, though, and if I needed a spot in South Bay to bring the family for a barbecue, or to take a sunset stroll with my lady, Bayfront Park might be just the place.

The views were nice of the bay. Saw families out here throwing BBQ's and parties. The city needs…read moreto upgrade the roads here though as they were pretty beat up and lots of oil stains all over the parking lot. Gave a dingy feel to the overall aesthetic.

I will write this review in the form of tips:…read more Check in and Costs Check in is at 2 p.m., and show up early because there will be a line. Check out is at noon -- and people are prompt! Which is good, because the staff will be driving by and cleaning up ready for check in. Costs are very reasonable at about $40-$45 per night, and most sites allow up to 8 people and two cars (there is overflow parking available, about $5 for each additional car). The splash pad is open May 1 through Sept. 30 and costs $3 for the day (for those aged 1-17). You can buy a season pass for $30 per person if you plan to come more often. Bugs and Things Yes, there are a ton of ants, snails and birds here, and I heard coyotes in the campground at night. So plan accordingly. I was surprised by the number of people without campground discipline. Open drink and food containers for hours. Messy areas with trash floating in their campsites. Wide open tents. Make sure you are keeping your campsite clean. There were several tracks of ants marching through out site and also birds in the wings the entire 3-day trip for us, and we never had a problem with the insects or wildlife by keeping everything tidy and organized. Sites The campground is split into three main sections with just over 100 sites: the upper loops, with 1) one section of exposed full hookup sites and a 2) back section closer to the lake but with no lake view with full hookup sites that have a bit more vegetation, and the 3) lower loop with water and electric at most sites, which is more popular among tent campers, large groups and those with horses (there is an actual equestrian camping section in the campground. Each site has a fire ring with a grill attached along with a table. Site lengths for RVs appear to be mostly around 30' and 32' from what I have seen (but they do have some as small as 20' and as large as nearly 50'), with electric boxes (20/30/50 amps -- awesome!). And pets are allowed ($2 per)! Saw lots of well behaved pups throughout my stay. And I so appreciate that they allow tents at the hookup sites. It's always a treat to have access to water and electricity while tent camping. I found several of the lower loop sites to be far more spacious than the upper link but, still, you are crammed in and there is not a level of privacy to be expected. During my day and previous visit, the site is kept very clean by the staff and hosts. That's part of the reason I prioritized a stay. Some of the visitors however (just some) have absolutely no camping etiquette, unfortunately. Until those trees mature in the upper loop, you are going to want the lower loop if you want shade. Even then, bring a canopy, because the outer side sites, with the views, get HOT. Even on the cooler spring days. Bathroom Situation Upper and lower loop bathrooms all have showers, and you have to get the tokens at the check in kiosk (and get them before 6 p.m.). Overall, I found that the team on site keeps everything as clean as possible. But by late afternoon, it often happened in the lower loop that there was trash and some little puddles all over the floor and stalls out of toilet paper. I visited the upper loop restrooms a couple of times -- for those reasons -- and they were far more pristine and also more specious. Instead of single stalls, each bathroom has a restroom space and a shower space behind one locked door. You can fit a whole family in there, which is super helpful if you are a family and need to all get ready at once. Also, most everyone in the upper loop has an RV (lower loop is more popular with tent campers), so it makes sense that the upper loop bathrooms are cleaner overall. You can buy wood on site at the check in kiosk (buy it before 6 p.m.). About $6 per bundle, and you get about 7-6 nice pieces of wood of varying sizes. One bundle was ample enough for 5+hours of a nice fire. But, and this was surprising to me, you cannot burn a fire after 11 a.m. Location, Activities The campground is in Bonita, about 30 minutes away from San Diego's downtown and coast. Unfortunately, no ocean views here. I take it that many people come here wanting a more remote get away, while still being able to access what San Diego has to offer. On site, there is a whole park for kids, with a splash pad/water features that are open during the summer months. There is also a large grassy day area ideal for parties and picnics. You can also rent out the pavilion, which is near the amphitheater and in the upper loop. It has a kitchen and a large community room where there have been birthdays, showers and receptions. Then there is the nearby reservoir, which is popular for mild walks and fishing, but absolutely no swimming or water contact allowed. Other Apparently, they allow vendors on site -- for parties and other activities. For a cost, you can have a DJ, live music, pony rides, bounce houses. This all appears to be more geared toward summer activities.

Loved our stay here. Clean large campsite in upper area with nice valley view. Quiet with nice…read morevegetation that provided adequate privacy. Grocery stores and post office close by. Rangers friendly and helpful. Just don't park 2 vehicles in addition to RV and keep vehicles off dirt area. Also, allowed to burn wood purchased at campground. Yes, some bugs but not an issue. Love SD county campgrounds. Great price in nature feels like real camping for this RVer.