Buena Vista park is a beautiful open space wilderness in the heart of suburban North San Diego County.
Maintained by the City of Vista, the park is a prime example of the concept “less is more.” The park is not a grassed over “city park,” but a wild land protected by the city with trails through out and areas where you can pretend you are in some distant wilderness.
The best place to park is at the duck pond on the north side of the park off of Shadowridge
Drive just west of Melrose Drive. The duck pond area provides a sliver of “normal” city park like space with grassy areas and numerous picnic tables. This can be a great place to just hang out and relax with family and friends.
On the south end of the parking lot you will see a yellow gate. This leads to the more wild section of the park. The trails are open to dogs and bikes. The city provides bags for dog owners.
Officially the park requires all dogs to be kept on leashes and generally people using the trails keep to the rule, but many others do not. I’ve never seen any problems with dogs off leash. Owners are pretty great at self regulating themselves and their dogs in the park.
Just past the gate is a partially shaded bench. There is a trail map of the park attached to the structure shading the bench. There numerous crossing trails connecting the various main trails and loops throughout the park. It’s possible to spend several hours walking around every trail.
Many species of birds (including woodpeckers), butterflies, and plants call the park home.
There is also an ecology study area bordering the park on the west and south. Occasionally you can see a couple of horses on the other side of fence. They are quite beautiful.
The main hill in the middle of the park is an easy-moderate hike up, but the rest of the park is an easy hike of around 2.5 miles or so. Allow yourself a couple of hours if you want to explore the whole thing in one go.
Please enjoy these photos of the park and come explore this great open space in Vista, CA.
I Live To Explore 
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