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Paradise Creek Educational Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 50 Google reviews · Running trail in National City, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Paradise Creek Educational Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ShadedLit at nightQuiet

What runners say about Paradise Creek Educational Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (50 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“The park is well-maintained by the city, including regular clean-ups of the creek.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Visitors can enjoy sunbathing or seek respite in the shade.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Peaceful, good place to take kids”

I frequently utilize this park for jogging and have grown quite fond of it. The park is home to a variety of avian species, which I often encounter during my runs. The creek's water level fluctuates, sometimes being abundant and other times quite shallow.

★★★★★ — Максим , Sep 2024

This is one of our favorite parks. Nice playground, lots of tables spread out, walking and biking trails, climbing trees, a little stream with wildlife. There is a community garden which is lovely to stroll through when it is open. The one thing it lacks is shade!

★★★★★ — Sarah , Jun 2025

This place is a sanctuary for wildlife from birds to plants. Enjoy a nice short walk , (about a couple blocks long) The place is hidden but it offers free parking. (Is hidden gem) for those who admire nature as

★★★★★ — Enrique , Dec 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 50 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Peaceful, good place to take kids”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“Visitors can enjoy sunbathing or seek respite in the shade.”

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💡 Lit for night running 2 mentions

“Its a nice park but it need more lights cause in night time is dark”

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Plan your run at Paradise Creek Educational Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • Websiteparadisecreek.org

Hours

Monday 6 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9 PM
Friday 6 AM–9 PM
Saturday 6 AM–9 PM
Sunday 6 AM–9 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Paradise Creek Educational Park

National City, California

Get directions

Running trails near National City

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Kimball Park

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under a mile away

Pepper Park

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LitScenicDog-friendly

This 5.5-acre park features a playground, a boat launch, picnic tables, a fishing pier & restrooms.

1.1 miles away

El Toyon Park

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Natural surfaceDog-friendly

Relaxed community park featuring a tennis court, a basketball court and a playground.

1.8 miles away

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge

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This salt marsh refuge is home to endangered birds & offers trails for visitors & seasonal tours.

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Southcrest Trails Park

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1.9 miles away

Bayside Park Trailhead

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2.6 miles away

All running trails in National City, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.