Chollas Lake, a hidden treasure around Lemon Grove area

Chollas Lake Park is a hidden treasure nestled in a luscious grove of trees just minutes from downtown Lemon Grove. Located on College Grove Drive off the CA 94 highway, the lake provides a variety of activities for the whole family. The lake and surrounding trails are open each day from 6:30 a.m. until a half hour before sunset. 

The lake is actually a reservoir built in 1901. It helped to serve early San Diego’s water supply. The lake became property of the Park and Recreation Department in 1966. Five years later, it was designated a youth fishing lake. To this day, it still is the only youth fishing lake in San Diego County for kids 15 and under.

The sun sparkles on this lake where both children and adults have a lot of fun feeding the ducks. Canadian geese, mallard ducks, and coots, which are regulars at the lake. All of them are rambunctious in their incessant pleas for food. A few egrets and herons will stop by for a visit. A pair of swans graces the water, too. Above the lake, red-tailed hawks soar and crows fly from tree to tree. 

Eucalyptus trees line the trail around the lake, an excellent spot to get in some walking or running. At any time of the day and any season of the year, the trees make a lovely canopy of shade. The gentle breezes off the lake also help to keep the trail cool. One lap around the lake equals 8/10 of a mile. The well-used trail is flat, making it a good choice for brisk walking and jogging. Dogs are welcome, as long as they are on a leash. Several pieces of equipment such as pullup and pushup bars, balance beams and others make the trail a good fitness walk as well.

Behind the lake is a series of trails measuring about 1.4 miles. Almost immediately, the happy yells of kids and the scolding of geese disappear behind a quite steep hill. A wilderness wonderland opens up to more eucalyptus trees. Listen, and you will hear the call of many birds, perhaps even a Great Horned Owl sleepily hooting during the bright light of day.

This second series of trails behind the lake make good terrain for more intense walking or running. Some of the trails zigzag across the North Chollas Canyon. Another long trail follows the rim of the canyon upon which the park sits. Brave the big uphill to begin, and be rewarded with a view of all of downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, Coronado Bridge and the ocean.

Both around the lake and behind in the crisscross section of trails plenty of wildlife abound. The squirrels are quite tame, but the signs around the lake ask that you do not feed the squirrels even though they will get very close to people. 

Fishing rules include one string and one pole per fisher. Hook and line fishing is the only method permitted, and must be done so from the piers or shoreline. An unlimited number of carp can be caught, while two bass fish up to 14 inches long and one trout any size is the take-home for the day. The main rule, though, is enjoying the peace and takes in the views.

When the kids want to work off some steam after feeding the ducks or trying their hand at fishing, they can retreat to the playground with swings, slides and other equipment. 

The park offers plenty of programs, such as Walking for Fitness, Monday through Friday at 6:30 a.m., Reading with the Ranger for children ages 5 to 10 on the first Saturday of the month, and many others, including special events during the year such as the Annual Spring Egg Hunt.

Chollas Lake Park is open 6:30 a.m. to a half hour before sunset every day. It is located on College Grove Drive off the CA 94 highway, just west of the College Grove Shopping Center.

For more information, go to www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/pdf/programguide/chollaslake.pdf.