Old Mission Dam 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119

"The day was slightly overcast, not cold, not hot, just right to get back in tune with Mother Earth. The water was running over the damn. Beautiful!"

"Great time. Lots of easy trails nearby. Parking is hit or miss in the lot but there's plenty of spaces on the side of the road."

"This is one of San Diego's best kept secrets. Really, it's a secret on top of a secret, as the Kumeyaay Indians were "conscripted" by Spanish padres to build the dam in 1803 so water from the San Diego River could be directed toward the Mission San Diego de Alcala down the road. Today, there is a movement to change the name of the road where the dam is located - Father Junipero Serra Trail - to a Kumeyaay name. The dam is an interesting landmark that aficionados of history, architecture, landscape and Nature will enjoy. Old Mission Dam is a National Historic Landmark, earning the distinction in 1963. It's one of only 17 National Historic Landmarks in San Diego County. And it's not just about the dam; it's about the surrounding area that is a spectacular natural setting that is host to many different kinds of plants and animals. On our hikes and mountain bike rides here, we've seen red-tailed hawks, tarantulas, ducks, and even a bobcat. The water rises and falls with the seasons. In the winter after heavy rainfall, the dam performs as planned and looks quite dramatic. In times of summer drought, you'll see barely any water moving in the San Diego River - it's more of a trickle. A lot of sand has sifted into the dam area over the years due to wildfires. Councilmember Raul Campillo has requested funds to dredge the dam. This is a great place to take people who may not be up for much of a hike, as there is some disabled parking a couple hundred feet from the dam overlook."

"Beautiful, scenic nature walk/hike. Gorgeous wild flowers, purple wheat grass, and serene river stone beds. Its a perfect place to spend time in nature."

"Came here to Mission Gorge and hiked at the dam area. Enjoyed the open views in early April for small picnic, had to bring own picnic tarp for the sandy floor near small stream, no picnic benches, many different trails to hike but we took the route that went around the dam area approx a 30 minute leisure hike, no tables. It was a sunny cool day, lots of people on the trail, 360 degree open views of greenery and mountains. Easy parking and walk on large path to the dam, crossed the water barefoot to reach the parking without backtracking, many families and kids hike, Portable restroom near the small parking lot."