Ramona Hawk Watch: A Front-Row Seat to Southern California’s Raptor Migration

https://www.wildlife-research.org/hawkwatch

If you love wildlife, big skies, and birds of prey, the Ramona Grasslands Hawk Watch in San Diego East County offers a free, up-close way to experience some of North America’s most majestic raptors in winter. Set against the sweeping open landscapes of the Ramona Grasslands Preserve, this seasonal program draws both casual nature lovers and serious birders alike.

What Is Hawk Watch?

Upcoming 2026 Saturdays 10am to 12pm

January 3rd, 10,17, 24,31

February 7,14,21, 28

Ramona Grasslands Hawk Watch is a free weekly wildlife education event hosted by the Wildlife Research Institute (WRI) most Saturdays in January and February at Begent Ranch in Ramona. While it shares its name with traditional migration “hawk watches,” this program is more than just counting birds — it’s a hands-on learning experience for all ages

Hawk Watch is an informative educational Biologist Talk and Q& with Falconry or ambassador raptors for you to see up close and personal. The seated program lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. After the presentation there is an option for additional roadside observations of wild raptors and other wildlife including bald eagle nest where you will drive your own car less than 2 miles on paved roads and come and go at your leisure.

Biologists and local expert volunteer observers will help you spot and identify birds and show them to you through our high-powered professional telescopes. In the event of rain, we will still have the educational program inside the barn, but the usual falconry flight displays will not occur in the barn. There is no hiking portion of Hawk Watch, but we recommend wearing sturdy shoes for uneven terrain and going on your own to the nearby Ramona Grassland Preserve hiking trail after the program. Hawk Watch is wheelchair accessible, and we recommend using one if walking on uneven terrain could be a safety hazard for you. We hope you can make it!

Explore Mount Helix Park: Best Viewpoint in San Diego

Mount Helix Park offers 360-degree views of San Diego, easy access, and stunning sunsets. Discover why this East County viewpoint is a local favorite.

https://www.mthelixpark.org

Mt. Helix Park is open to the public 365 days a year, but it follows seasonal daylight-based hours (gates are locked at night).

🕒 Park Hours

Summer (Daylight Saving Time): ~5:30 AM – 7:00 PM mt-helix-park
Winter: ~5:30 AM – 5:30 PM mt-helix-park
Always subject to change for special events, rentals, or closures.

Rising more than 1,300 feet above sea level, Mount Helix Park offers one of the most expansive viewpoints in East County San Diego. Located at the border of La Mesa and Spring Valley, the hilltop park provides panoramic views stretching from downtown San Diego to the Pacific Ocean and east toward the region’s rugged inland terrain.

Mount Helix itself got its name from the helix aspersa snail once found on the hill, a local naturalist curiosity at the time. At the summit sits a stone amphitheater that has served as a community gathering place for decades. The site is best known for its annual Easter sunrise service, along with concerts and civic events held throughout the year. A large cross, visible from miles away, stands near the amphitheater and remains a prominent—if sometimes controversial—feature of the park.

Mount Helix Park is easily accessible by car, with a short paved walkway leading from the parking area to the top. While the park does not offer extensive hiking trails, its accessibility and unobstructed views make it a popular destination for photographers, sightseers, and locals seeking a quiet overlook.

Clear days offer visibility across much of San Diego County, while sunset brings changing colors and city lights that make the park especially popular in the evening hours. Despite its modest size, Mount Helix Park continues to be one of East County’s most recognizable and frequently visited viewpoints.

Lindo Lake County Park: Lakeside’s Natural & Community Haven

Lindo Lake County Park is open from sunrise to sunset for public use. The park is approximately 55 acres in size and features a skate park, children’s playground, softball field, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and open spaces. There are roughly 1.5 miles of ADA-friendly, multi-use paths, including a popular loop trail around the lake that’s about 1.2 miles long — perfect for leisurely walks, jogging, or pushing a stroller.

With water basins, wetlands, and lakeside habitat, the park attracts a variety of waterfowl and birds — a draw for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

🐶 Dog-Friendly Areas

Leashed dogs are welcome around the lake. Many locals use the loop trail for daily dog walks.

🐦 Bird-Watching Tips

Bring binoculars for the east basin — that’s where most waterfowl gather.
Look for:
- Great blue herons
- Snowy egrets
- Cormorants
- Mallards
- Canadian geese
- Red-winged blackbirds
Early morning is the best time for spotting and photography.

🐦 Pro Tip:

Stand quietly near the shallow inlets — birds often forage close to shore.

Scent of Summer: A Lavender Escape in Ramona

Lavender season typically peaks from late May through early July, when the hillsides come alive with vibrant purple blooms. Farms across Ramona open their gates to visitors for a brief but beautiful window of time, offering U-pick experiences, handmade products, and peaceful strolls through aromatic rows of lavender.

One standout is the newly expanded lavender field at Oasis Camel Dairy, a unique destination where camels roam nearby and the scent of lavender fills the air. Yes—camels and lavender! It’s a pairing you didn’t know you needed.

This is the second year for the Camel Valley Lavender Farm located in Ramona, California. The 2 acre field has over 3000 lavender plants with 5 different varieties of lavender. The Lavender field is open on select Saturdays in June and July.

For more information visit https://cameldairy.com/home

Access to the lavender field is FREE on Saturday and Sunday’s June 21st through July 27th, 2025. There is gift shop that sells hand crafted lavender products as well as plant seedlings. You can pick your own bundle of lavender for $15 .

The founders of Oasis Camel Dairy Farm purchased 8 acres along the southern edge of the camel grazing pasture and have repurposed 2 acres for growing lavender. Twice a day at 11am and 2pm some of the 21 dromedary camels that live on the Oasis Camel Dairy make their way to the fence line for a snack of hay.