San Diego River

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The San Diego River is a river in San Diego County, California. It originates northwest of the town of Julian, then flows to the southwest until it reaches the 112,800 acre-foot El Capitan Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the river's watershed. Below El Capitan Dam, the river runs west through the cities of Santee and San Diego. While passing through Tierrasanta it goes through Mission Trails Regional Park, one of the largest urban parks in America. The river discharges into the Pacific Ocean near the entrance to Mission Bay, forming an estuary. The river travels 52 miles from its headwaters to the ocean. The river's tributaries include Boulder Creek, Cedar Creek, Chocolate Creek, Conejos Creek, Forester Creek, Los Coches Creek and San Vicente Creek.

There are four additional reservoirs in the river's watershed. Cuyamaca Reservoir is located on Boulder Creek and San Vicente Reservoir is fed by San Vicente Creek. Lake Jennings and Lake Murray are formed by the damming of canyons.

Mouth	Looking upstream near mouth	Channel south of Mission Bay	Crossing in Mission Trail Regional Park
Old Mission Dam in Mission Trails Regional Park	Coast to Crest Trail crosses river near headwaters