San Diego River Days — outdoor river celebration

The San Diego River Park Foundation is closing out its 23rd annual River Days this weekend with free cleanups, rides, walks and family programs spread across the San Diego River watershed. The event runs May 9 through May 17, 2026, and the foundation says activities stretch from Julian to Ocean Beach. (sdriverdays.org) The nonprofit describes River Days as a community-wide celebration of the river as a cultural, ecological and recreational resource. (sandag.org) The final weekend — Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17 — includes volunteer projects in Lakeside and Mission Valley as well as guided outings at Grant Park. ### When is River Days happening, exactly? May 17 is the final day of the 2026 program, according to the River Days site, which says this year’s event is a nine-day run from May 9 through May 17. The San Diego River Park Foundation calls it the 23rd annual edition. Friday, May 15, starts the last weekend block with a cleanup at Cactus Park in Lakeside from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The River Days calendar says I Love A Clean San Diego and the Lakeside River Park Conservancy are presenting that litter-removal event. (sdriverdays.org) ### Where are the weekend events taking place? Grant Park in Mission Valley is one of the main hubs for the weekend schedule. The River Days calendar lists multiple programs there, and SANDAG says its May 16 group bike ride will meet at Grant Park, 2310 Camino Del Rio North. (sdriverdays.org) The First San Diego River Improvement Project at 7007 Friars Road is another Saturday site. The City of San Diego says its Clean & Green River Cleanup will run there from 9 a.m. to noon on May 16 as part of River Days. (sdriverdays.org) Lakeside also appears on the closing-weekend calendar. The Cactus Park cleanup on May 15 is listed at 10610 Ashwood Street, according to the River Days activities page. ### What can people actually do there? A seven-mile guided bike ride through Mission Valley is scheduled for 9 a.m. (sdriverdays.org) Saturday, May 16. SANDAG says the ride is family-friendly, open to all ages and abilities, and led by certified instructors from the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. Riders are asked to bring their own bike and helmet, and registration closes at noon on May 15. (sandiego.gov) A river cleanup is also scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16. The City of San Diego says volunteers will remove litter, improve habitat and take part in beautification and stewardship work at the First San Diego River Improvement Project site. (sdriverdays.org) The River Days calendar also lists nature and education programs at Grant Park during the same weekend, including a May 16 evening bat walk and moth program and May 17 events such as a bird walk and a “Mountain Lions 101” presentation. The San Diego River Park Foundation events page lists those programs as free, with registration required for some activities. (sandag.org) ### Who is organizing River Days? The San Diego River Park Foundation is the lead organizer. The foundation says its mission includes creating a river-long parkway along the 52-mile San Diego River and engaging the public through volunteerism, education, advocacy and philanthropy. (sandiego.gov) More than a dozen local groups are involved in this year’s River Days calendar. The River Days site lists partners including the City of San Diego Park Rangers, San Diego Bird Alliance, San Diego Coastkeeper, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and the Barona Cultural Center & Museum. (sandiegoriver.org) ### What should visitors know before they go? The City of San Diego says all experience levels are welcome at the May 16 cleanup and recommends comfortable outdoor clothing, closed-toe shoes, water and sun protection. The city also says space may be limited and advance registration is encouraged. (sandiegoriver.org) The River Days website says activities are free and the full event calendar is posted online. The closing programs continue through Sunday, May 17, with signups and event details available through the River Days activities page and partner listings. (sdriverdays.org) (sandiego.gov)