GOODAN RANCH, POWAY
Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves
San Diego, Ca 92064 | Map
City 858.513.4737 - County 858.694.3900


County of San Diego
Department of Parks and Rec

Email: Carol Crafts - Park Docent

Maureen Abare -Goodan Ranch Ranger

Directions: The very east end of Poway 7-11
Garden Road, proceed to 4 way stop (Neddick)
proceed 7/10ths of mile on Garden Rd and turn right on small road fork.
Take the road until it ends.
Rules

Hours: 8am-5pm(winter) / 8am-7pm(summer months)

There are no phones or potable water.



Click for Source ArticleMission Statement
The Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space, Inc. will strive to protect and enhance the natural and cultural resources, help identify, build and maintain a trail system sensitive to the area's open Space Park status. They will promote awareness and responsible use of the two, interconnected Open Space Parks, Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space by the public through interpretation, volunteer and educational activities. The Friends will support connecting the Preserve with other parks and natural areas in adjacent areas.

GOODAN RANCH HISTORICAL BOOK

 Goodan Ranch Book is now available:
$5 includes tax; add $2.25 for postage & shipping.
Contact: rcrafts@cox.net or call 858.486.0919

GOODAN RANCH And SYCAMORE CANYON
A History of the Land; Then and Now
By Carol Billhardt Crafts
Friends of Goodan Ranch & Sycamore Canyon Open Space



"New bench at Martha's Grove" "Early yucca bloom"

Hello Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves!


"Wildlife monitoring is being conducted on a continual basis at Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves. Quarterly surveys of mammals are being done by members of the San Diego Tracking Team on the access road from Highway 67 and plans are in the works for additional surveys on the canyon floor. If you are interested in participating, please contact the San Diego Tracking Team at (760) 715-4102. Additional information is avaliable at www.sdtt.org."

Many thanks, Karen Larsen Gordon
Tracking Training





Update: Thursday, July 02, 2009 5:15:45 PM



The San Diego Archaeological Center is dedicated to the care, management and use ('curation') of archaeological artifacts. It is the only curation center and museum in San Diego County dedicated to preserving regional artifacts, and is noted as a rare example in the 2006-2010 Update of the California Comprehensive Statewide Historic Preservation Plan.

SAN DIEGO CONSERVATION
RESOURCES NETWORK
Growing Partnership for Conservation

doug@sdcrn.org 858-357-1708
www.sdcrn.org







For those seeking solitude and recreation in a scenic natural setting, Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserves have much to offer. Visitors can hike along miles of trails, where they will enjoy grand vistas, abundant wildlife, and interesting reminders of the long and varied history of man's use of the area.     Sycamore Canyon consists of 1700 acres of coastal sage scrub and chaparral-covered hills nestled between the cities of Poway and Santee. Bordering on the west side and stretching through the valley floor is the 325-acre Goodan Ranch, a mix of diverse habitats including grassland, riparian, coastal sage, oak woodland, and mixed chaparral.

    Goodan Ranch is rich in early American history. Present day structures at the preserve date back to the 1930s, when it was a working ranch. Today, Goodan Ranch is jointly managed by the cities of Poway and Santee, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation.

    Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon are enjoyable for their peaceful solitude, recreation opportunities, and beauty. You'll find a multitude of different plant and animal habitats, including coastal sage scrub, southern mixed chaparral, oak woodlands, riparian, and native grasslands. Common plants include California sagebrush, buckwheat, chamise, lilac, manzanita, lemonadeberry, coast live oak, sycamores, arroyo willow, and various native grasses. Mule deer, coyote, bobcat, rattlesnakes, and birds such as California gnatcatchers, Hutton's vireos, and scrub jays are among some of the wildlife you may discover.



GOODAN RANCH TRANSFORMING AND BLOOMING
6-22-2004



AS OF JUNE 2004 ABOVE TO LAST OCT. 2003 BELOW






    The preserves contain more than 10 miles of hiking trails, along with a staging area for horses. Horseback riding is allowed seven days a week at Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon.

The following descriptions correspond to the trails marked on the map.

  •     Starting at the Goodan Ranch staging area, Martha's Grove memorial trail descends through hills and canyons covered in coastal sage scrub to an oak grove once visited by Native Americans. This trail is moderate in difficulty and is a three-mile loop round trip.
  •     Starting on the valley floor, reached from either the Martha's Grove trail or the dirt road, you make a two-mile loop around the southern half of Goodan Ranch, where you'll see historic shed built 60 years ago. This trail system crosses a perennial streams that is home to a variety of wildlife, including numerous colorful species of dragonflies and butterflies. Red-shouldered hawks and black-shouldered kites frequent the trees and meadows. This trail is an easy hike.
    •
  •     A firebreak along a ridge starting high up at the Sycamore Canyon staging area offers a rugged and steep two-mile drop down to the canyon south of Goodan Ranch. This difficult trail descends to the corner of Sycamore Canyon, overlaps the Goodan Ranch trail for 0.7 mile, and loops around back to the staging area. Sturdy hiking boots are recommended, as the surface consists of exposed river rock.
    (See map below for detail)

TIPS FOR HIKERS
Take the time to enjoy your outdoor experience. Binoculars will help you observe the plants and animals as you walk quietly along the trails. A camera will preserve memories of your visit.

Carry water. Sycamore Canyon and Goodan Ranch can be very hot and dry, and there is no water available on the trails. For a full day's hike in moderate temperatures, you might need at least one gallon of water. Do not drink from the stream.

If you are planning a longer hike, carry light trail snacks. They will help maintain your energy level.

Wear suitable clothing and footgear. Sturdy shoes and a hat are indispensable, and sunglasses, sunscreen, and insect repellant are highly recommended. Weather conditions can change rapidly, so be prepared for extremes.

Tell a friend or family member about your hiking plans. Be specific about your route and what time you should return. Hike with a companion.

Stay on the trails. The natural resources of Sycamore Canyon and Goodan Ranch are fragile. Their survival and your safety depend on correct trail etiquette. Don't cut switchbacks-proper trail maintenance depends on proper trail use.

Carry a first aid kit. It can make the difference between an enjoyable hike and a potentially serious situation. Sycamore Canyon and Goodan Ranch are wilderness areas. Poison oak, bees, ticks and rattlesnakes occur here naturally.

  • ACCIDENTS: The County of San Diego shall not be responsible for loss or accidents.
  • UNAUTHORIZED MOTOR VEHICLES: The unauthorized operation of motor vehicles is prohibited. ( Minimum fine 150.00)
  • SPEED LIMIT: 10 m.p.h. on all trails.
  • BICYCLES: Bicyclists must yield right-of-way to other users. Children are required to wear helmets.
  • LITTERING: Is prohibited.
  • DEFACEMENT PROHIBITED: No person shall remove, deface, or destroy trail markers, monuments, fences, trees, camp or picnic structures, or other preserve facilities.
  • PRESERVATION OF TRAIL FEATURES: All wildlife, plant, and geologic features are protected and are not to be damaged or removed. All historical artifacts are to be left in place.
  • HORSES AND OTHER ANIMALS: No horse or other animal shall be hitched to any tree, shrub, or structure in a manner that may cause damage to preserve property. No person shall ride, drive, lead, or keep a horse, except in areas specifically designated for such use.
  • PETS: Dogs are allowed on a maximum six foot leash. Please clean up after your dog.
  • NO HUNTING: No person shall use, transport, carry, fire, or discharge any firearms, air guns, archery device, slingshot, fireworks, or explosive device of any kind in a preserve.
  • ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: No intoxicating liquors having more than 20% alcohol by volume are permitted.
  • FIRE HAZARDS AND SMOKING: No smoking. Campfires are prohibited. Stoves allowed only in primitive group camping area.
Any errors or misprints related to goodanranch.org are not the responsibility of anyone but to the party that donated maintenance hours. Corrections will be made within 2 weeks of notification. Remember, all maintenance for this site is donated. Hosting is paid by the Friends. Need a corrrection? Email:chris@yandall.com