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.
UPDATE: In February 2025 construction crews started removing and breaking down the garden spaces for an upcoming bridge project south of North Beach. It has yet to be determined what has happened to the painted memorial rocks that were placed at Gwen;s Garden.
Sometimes, the most special places aren’t grand landmarks, but small pockets of community heart, grown organically from love and dedication. For years, Gwen’s Garden, also known as the Dog Beach Memorial Garden, was exactly that – a unique and touching oasis located not in Solana Beach itself, but right at the entrance to the famous Del Mar North Beach (Dog Beach), which sits just south of the Solana Beach border.
While visitors flocked to the wide sands for off-leash fun (seasonally permitted!), many discovered this unexpected gem near the access path. But like many grassroots projects, its story has recently taken an uncertain turn.
The Story Behind the Garden
Gwen’s Garden wasn’t designed by a committee; it was born from the love of one man for his dog. Local Del Mar resident Jimmy Joe Gooding started the garden in memory of his beloved yellow Labrador, Gwen, who adored her daily visits to Dog Beach.
Seeing the entrance area as neglected, Mr. Gooding took it upon himself to clean it up and plant flowers and succulents, initially using his own resources. What started as a personal tribute and a beautification effort under Del Mar’s “Adopt a Spot” program blossomed into something more.
A Tapestry of Love and Remembrance
Over the years, Gwen’s Garden became a cherished landmark. It featured:
A Winding Path: Guiding visitors through the small plot.
Lush Greenery: A mix of succulents, wildflowers, and eventually, efforts to include native species.
Whimsical Touches: Visitors often found little statues – dogs, angels, gnomes – tucked among the plants.
Painted Rocks: This became the garden’s most poignant feature. Hundreds of smooth stones, lovingly painted by visitors with the names and paw prints of their own departed canine companions, lined the path and filled the spaces.
A Sense of Peace: It was a quiet spot for reflection, remembrance, and appreciating the simple, powerful bond between humans and their pets.
An Uncertain Present
Gwen’s Garden represented community spirit, but it also faced challenges. Located on state land, the garden ran into permitting issues with the Coastal Commission, particularly regarding non-native plants and unpermitted structures like pathways.
Crucially, reports surfaced in early 2025 suggesting the garden had been significantly altered or possibly removed.Reasons cited included these ongoing permitting issues, potential safety concerns, and the land possibly being needed for future construction related to a nearby bridge project.
While the exact status today is difficult to confirm without visiting, photos and discussions from that time indicated the area may have been cleared, with the fate of the hundreds of memorial rocks uncertain (perhaps moved to storage or an exhibit).
The Enduring Spirit
Whether Gwen’s Garden exists today in its previous cherished form or not, its story remains a testament to:
The Love for Pets: A powerful motivator for creating beauty and community.
Individual Action: How one person’s dedication can create something meaningful for many.
Shared Remembrance: The comfort found in sharing grief and happy memories in a dedicated space.
Visiting Del Mar Dog Beach Today
If you visit Del Mar North Beach (Dog Beach), the beautiful stretch of sand where dogs can run free (seasonally off-leash, check rules!) is still there. However, be prepared that the specific memorial garden area at the entrance may look very different from photos and descriptions from previous years.
Gwen’s Garden was a special place born from a simple idea: honoring a beloved companion. While its physical form may be subject to change, the love and memories it represented undoubtedly linger in the sea air for all who knew it.
This isn’t just a patch of grass; Sweetwater Park is thoughtfully designed to blend recreation with the unique natural beauty of our bayfront environment. Here’s what you can expect:
Play Naturally: Kids (and the young at heart) will love the nature-themed playgrounds. These aren’t your average swings and slides; they incorporate educational elements about local wildlife, making playtime both fun and informative.
Walk, Bike, Explore: Lace-up your sneakers or grab your bike! The park boasts 2.5 miles of new pathways, some paved and some with softer surfaces, perfect for a leisurely stroll, a morning jog, or a family bike ride. Plus, it connects seamlessly with the existing Sweetwater Bicycle and Pedestrian Path.
Connect with Nature: True to its location next to the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, the park features sand dunes, meadows, mounded grasslands, and specialty gardens filled with native plants. It’s a fantastic spot for bird watching, enjoying stunning bay views from scenic overlooks, or simply finding a quiet moment. Keep an eye out for the Kumeyaay signage integrated throughout the park, honoring the area’s original inhabitants.
Art on the Bayfront: Look for the striking “Rigors of Flight” public art sculpture by Roberto Salas. This impressive 25-foot-tall piece, resembling a wishbone, pays tribute to the abundant birdlife of the region.
Relax and Gather: Plenty of seating areas and picnic spots are strategically placed for you to relax, enjoy a snack, and soak in the beautiful surroundings.
More Than Just a Park
Part of a Grand Vision (The Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan): Sweetwater Park wasn’t just a standalone idea. It’s a key piece of the massive 535-acre Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment project. This ambitious plan, a joint effort between the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista, has been in the works for decades. The goal has always been to transform our underutilized industrial waterfront into a vibrant destination with resorts (like the adjacent Gaylord Pacific), convention space, housing, retail, and crucially, significant new public parks and improved access to the bay.
Why You Need to Visit ASAP!
It’s BRAND NEW! Be among the first to explore this fantastic addition to Chula Vista.
Something for Everyone: Whether you want active play, peaceful nature walks, or a spot for a picnic with a view, this park has it.
Beautiful Setting: The focus on native plants and natural design makes it a truly lovely place to spend time, with great views of the bay.
It’s FREE! Access to this amazing community resource costs absolutely nothing.
It’s Ours! This is a wonderful new asset for all Chula Vista residents to enjoy.
Planning Your Visit
Ready to check it out? Here’s the essential info:
Location: You’ll find it on the Chula Vista Bayfront, just north of the Gaylord Pacific Resort. The Port lists the address as 845 E St, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (near the Gunpowder Point Drive area).
Hours: The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
Parking: Good news! There’s ample public parking available (around 219 spaces).
Cost: Free!
Go Explore Sweetwater Park!
Have you visited Sweetwater Park yet? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
598 Grand Caribe Causeway, Coronado, CA 92118 Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Grand Caribe Shoreline Park is located south of the roundabout on Grand Caribe Causeway in the Coronado Cays neighborhood. Dogs are allowed on leash at all Port of San Diego parks, however I have encountered many people allowing their dogs off-leash here to swim in south bay. On leash or off leash please continue to clean up after your pet. Far too many dog shit piles left right ON THE TRAIL. There is limited access to the shoreline. A dirt path winds it way south and around the marina channel for Coronado Cays. Be mindful that a high tide will affect the width of the beach.
I have observed everything from house finches, Anna’s Hummingbird, Great Egrets to Willets while walking the path.
Sheltering Wings (1996) Artist: Christopher Slatoff Medium: Bronze Sculpture on pedestal base Location: Grand Caribe Shoreline Park Port of San Diego Bronze Public Art Collection
Exploring San Diego 