November is shaping up to be a big month at Mission Trails.

We’re celebrating nearly $1 million in new funding to rebuild the South Fortuna staircase, getting ready for one of our favorite holiday traditions and sharing plenty of ways to spend time at Mission Trails this month, from salsa under the evening sky to a free estate planning workshop.

We’re also introducing you to one of the City of San Diego park rangers who helps care for Mission Trails, sharing the story of a woman whose connection to the park now spans generations, welcoming a group of rehabilitated raccoons back to the wild and highlighting some of the people, wildlife and volunteer efforts that make Mission Trails such a special place.

Here’s what’s happening this November.

A New Staircase for South Fortuna

One of Mission Trails Regional Park’s most popular climbs is getting a major upgrade.

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, the nonprofit that supports the park, has secured a $990,102 grant from the San Diego River Conservancy, a state agency, to reconstruct the deteriorating South Fortuna staircase, commonly known as the “Stairway to Heaven.”

Approximately 60,000 hikers use the route each year. Years of heavy use, weather and erosion have badly degraded the wooden staircase, with some steps unstable, shifted or missing altogether. As hikers move around damaged sections, the trail corridor has widened into surrounding native habitat.

The project will reconstruct approximately 630 linear feet of stairs along the existing trail alignment, replacing the wooden steps with durable natural stone. The work will also improve drainage, add trail signage and restore disturbed habitat along the trail margins.

The Foundation pursued the grant and will manage the project in partnership with the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department.

Nearly $1 million in outside funding is coming to this City-owned park because the Foundation identified and pursued the opportunity.

We’re excited to share more as the project moves forward.

Do Your Holiday Shopping at Mission Trails

The Holiday Marketplace has become one of our favorite Mission Trails traditions, and it’s almost here.

9AM-3PM, Sat., Nov. 14 - Sun., Nov. 15

MTRP Visitor Center

Admission free; Register here

This year’s Marketplace brings together local artists, makers, bakers and small businesses offering ceramics, jewelry, art, baked goods, home decor, woodworking and more.

Shop local. Meet the makers. Spend the day somewhere beautiful. Support the park.

Best of all, a percentage of all sales goes directly to the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. That means your holiday shopping supports local businesses and helps the nonprofit that supports Mission Trails.

Parking at the Visitor Center fills quickly, so visitors are encouraged to use our satellite parking and free shuttle. Satellite parking will be available at the southeastern end of the the Keil’s shopping center at Jackson Drive and Navajo Road. Park between Ace Hardware and Primos Mexican Food and avoid spaces directly in front of the stores. Signage will be there to mark the shuttle pick-up and drop-off location.

Welcome Back to the Wild

Mission Trails recently welcomed some energetic new residents.

City of San Diego Park Ranger Steven Blankenship and Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation staff joined the San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife team for the release of a group of rehabilitated raccoons into Mission Trails Regional Park.

Project Wildlife rehabilitates injured and orphaned wild animals with the goal of returning them to their natural habitats whenever possible.

These raccoons wasted very little time getting acquainted with their new surroundings.

We’re grateful to the San Diego Humane Society and Project Wildlife for giving local wildlife another chance in the wild, and to City park rangers who help protect the habitat these animals depend on.

If you happen to spot a raccoon at Mission Trails, enjoy the encounter from a respectful distance. Never approach or feed wildlife, and let wild animals stay wild.

Watch the video of the racoon release here.

Meet a Hawk and Learn About Birds of Prey

Dr. Bob Gordon and his feathered friends return to Mission Trails for this monthly raptor program, held on the first Sunday of each month at the Visitor Center. Simply stop anytime between 9AM and noon on the first Sunday to experience Dr. Bob's presentation.

Local falconer Dr. Bob Gordon brings live birds of prey to the Visitor Center for a free, informal program about raptors, falconry, behavior and the adaptations that make these birds such remarkable hunters. Learn more via our events calendar.

Estate Planning 101 Presentation

Thursday, Nov. 19

Attend in person or online

2PM, IN PERSON at the Visitor Center

Register here

6:30PM, ONLINE via Zoom

Register here

Both programs are free. Registration is requested.

Estate planning can sound complicated. We’re bringing in an expert to make it easier to understand.

The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation is hosting a free “Estate Planning 101” presentation with Amanda-Dawn Natalia, Esq., a California-licensed business and estate attorney. She’s also an East County resident and certified California Naturalist who says Mission Trails is near and dear to her.

Amanda-Dawn will walk through the basics, including probate, wills and trusts, powers of attorney, health care planning and decisions that go into creating or updating an estate plan. She will also discuss how you can use your IRA to benefit MTRP.

People Behind the Park:

Ranger Cristian Navarro


Caring for Mission Trails takes people who connect conservation, public service and community involvement. City of San Diego Park Ranger Cristian Navarro brings those priorities to his work each day.


Cristian studied psychology at the University of California, Riverside before joining the California Conservation Corps, where he gained hands-on experience in trail building and conservation. His career in parks has since included campground operations, habitat restoration, environmental education and visitor safety.


At Mission Trails, Cristian leads volunteer projects, supports trail and habitat restoration, delivers interpretive programs and helps visitors explore the park safely. His work connects people with the natural landscape and gives them opportunities to help care for it.


Cristian also leads the park’s recurring Trail Maintenance Crew on the first Sunday of each month. Volunteers work alongside him to clear debris, trim vegetation and address erosion, helping protect surrounding habitat and keep trails safe and accessible.


Whether you are an experienced volunteer or joining your first trail project, your efforts make a difference. No experience is needed. Bring your enthusiasm for the outdoors and a willingness to lend a hand.


For more information and to RSVP, contact Ranger Cristian at NavarroCA@sandiego.gov.

Salsa at Sunset

5PM, Saturday, Nov. 7

MTRP Visitor Center

The event is free and open to all.

Bring your dancing shoes to Mission Trails.

Westwind Brass will be joined by Latin percussionist Manny Cepeda for a free evening of salsa, mambo and Latin favorites as the sun sets over the park.

And yes, you can dance.

The musicians will offer salsa dance instruction before every tune, so no experience is necessary. Bring family and friends, pack a picnic and enjoy live music in one of San Diego’s most beautiful outdoor settings.

A Grant for Cowles Mountain Trail and Habitat Restoration

We’re excited to share that we’ve received a Two For The Trails grant from our friends at Athletic Brewing! Through this program, Athletic Brewing, America's largest dedicated non-alcoholic brewer, contributes up to $2 million annually to help protect and restore trails and outdoor spaces around the world.

With their support, the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation will receive funding for restoration work in the Cowles Mountain area.

The project will close and restore approximately one-half mile of unauthorized or unnecessary trails and restore approximately one acre of disturbed habitat.

Working with City of San Diego park rangers, the Foundation will address erosion and use natural barriers, fencing and restoration signage where appropriate to help keep visitors on designated trails and protect surrounding native habitat.

The project will also create hands-on stewardship opportunities for MTRP Foundation Eco Ambassadors, program alumni, Athletic Brewing teammates and community volunteers.

Want to help with this specific Cowles Mountain restoration project? Email mtrp@mtrp.org to request an invitation to an upcoming volunteer workday.

Athletic Brewing Company LLC. Milford, CT and San Diego, CA. Near Beer <0.5% alc/vol.

Mission Trails Stories: Vanessa Dimalanta

For Vanessa Dimalanta, Mission Trails has been part of almost an entire lifetime.

Her earliest memories here go back to when she was about 6 years old, exploring near Old Mission Dam with her father, catching crawdads and horned lizards and catching her first fish in the San Diego River.

Years later, a friend brought Vanessa back to Mission Trails while training to become a Trail Guide. She began seeing familiar trails in a new way, slowing down and noticing the plants, wildlife and landscapes around her.

Then came another generation.

Vanessa began sharing Mission Trails with her granddaughters, Lily and Ariel. Together, they entered the annual Mission Trails Photo Contest. This year, Lily earned first place in the Teens category and Ariel received an honorable mention in the Kids category.

Vanessa is now nearly 73.

“A beautiful life and a lot of memories in the park,” she told us.

That’s what a place like Mission Trails can become. A childhood memory becomes a friendship, a family tradition and eventually another generation’s story.

What’s your Mission Trails story?

Maybe you’ve been hiking here for decades. Maybe you just found the park. Maybe Mission Trails helped you through a difficult time, introduced your children to nature or became the place where a friendship began.

We want to hear from you.

Tell us how you use Mission Trails, why you keep coming back and what this place means to you. Selected stories may be featured in future Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation newsletters, social media or other communications.

Send your story to kmorlan@mtrp.org.

Trail Tykes Holiday Schedule

Trail Tykes, the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation’s free nature program for children ages 2–5, normally meets every Wednesday and Sunday from 10 to 11AM at the Visitor Center.

Some upcoming sessions are canceled due to holiday and staff schedules.

There will be no Trail Tykes on: Nov. 15, Nov. 25, Nov. 29, Dec. 23, Dec. 27, Dec. 30. Trail Tykes will resume its regular schedule on Jan. 3, 2027.

Trail Tykes families, we do have a good alternative for Nov. 15: come holiday shopping instead.

The Mission Trails Holiday Marketplace takes place Nov. 14–15 from 9AM to 3PM at the Visitor Center, with local artists, makers and small businesses offering gifts, treats, art, ceramics and more. A portion of sales benefits the MTRP Foundation.



Please check the calendar before your visit for the latest Trail Tykes schedule. Registration is required for Trail Tykes. Learn more and register here.

California Native Plant Landscaper Certification Returns to Mission Trails


The California Native Plant Landscaper Certificate Program is returning to San Diego this fall, with its hands-on practicum taking place at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Online classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from Nov. 5 through Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by an in-person practicum at Mission Trails on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Registration is $375. Learn more and register here.



Presented by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, the 20-hour program is designed for landscape professionals and aspiring practitioners who want practical training in California native landscaping.


The program was developed by the California Native Plant Society and Theodore Payne Foundation and includes course materials, shipping and access to a professional community of Certified Native Plant Landscapers across Southern California.

November with MTRP Trail Guides

November brings plenty of opportunities to explore Mission Trails with the park’s volunteer Trail Guides.

Regular free programs continue throughout the month, including Guided Nature Walks from the Visitor Center every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 9:30AM, Guided Nature Walks from Kumeyaay Lake Campground on the second and fourth Saturdays at 8:30AM, Wildlife Tracking Walks from the East Fortuna Field Station on the first Saturday at 8AM and Bird Walks on the third Saturday and preceding Friday at 8AM from various locations.

November also includes two special Trail Guide programs.

On Saturday, Nov. 7 from 2:30 to 4:30PM, join a special iNaturalist walk beginning at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground shade structure. Participants can explore the area while learning how to use iNaturalist to observe and document plants, wildlife and other species found at Mission Trails.

Then on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 10AM to 1PM, stop by the Visitor Center lobby for a Kumeyaay Children’s Games and Toys Discovery Table. Learn about traditional Kumeyaay games and toys and the ways children learned, played and connected with their community and environment.

These Trail Guide programs are free and require no reservations. Check the full calendar for locations, details and updates since weather can impact events.

Stargazing at Mission Trails

November brings two chances to explore the night sky with the San Diego Astronomy Association at Mission Trails.

Stars at Mission Trails, held on the first Friday of each month, takes place Friday, Nov. 6 at sunset at Kumeyaay Lake Campground. SDAA members set up telescopes for free public viewing and help visitors get a closer look at planets, stars and other objects in the night sky. A group from the San Diego State University Alumni Association will also be joining the Nov. 6 star party for a special alumni outing.

Later in the month, Stars at West Sycamore, held on the third Friday of each month, returns Friday, Nov. 20 at sunset at the West Sycamore area of Mission Trails, at the east end of Stonebridge Parkway in Scripps Ranch.

These outdoor programs are weather dependent, so check for updates before heading out.


Learn more about San Diego Astronomy Association events here.

Volunteer with a Work Crew

Join monthly crews that maintain trails, restore habitat, remove invasive plants, care for Kumeyaay Lake Campground and beautify public spaces. No experience is needed.

Learn more and find contact information at mtrp.org/volunteer.

MTRP Visitor Center: One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119

Kumeyaay Lake Campground: Two Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119

mtrp.org l 619-668-3281 l mtrp@mtrp.org I mtrpstore.org

Images: Gerru Tietje, Angie Ollman, John Haney, Chris Szwedo,