San Clemente Canyon

San Clemente Canyon is a canyon located in the city of San Diego, in San Diego County, California.
Marian Bear Memorial Park, a linear open space park, is along the canyon and in the southern tributary arroyos and mesa.

The canyon and Marian Bear Memorial Park parallels the San Clemente Canyon Freeway (State Route 52) (along northern canyon slopes), between its junctions with Interstate 5 (on west) and Interstate 805 (on east) at the ends.

The park provides a natural setting in the midst of a busy urban area. The 467 acres (189 ha) of dedicated natural parkland include finger canyons and mesas on the south side.

The main canyon and its tributaries continue to support a population of resident wildlife including raccoons, skunks, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, and serve as a pathway for coyote, fox, and other native mammals. Along the length of the canyon are coast live oak, California sycamore, and native willow tree woodlands, with an undergrowth of native and other plant species. The chaparral and riparian California native plant communities are closely defined by their microclimates and underlying soils.

The Native American Kumeyaay people had historically inhabited the area of San Diego County for 10,000 years. Evidence of their presence still remains in San Clemente Canyon.

In the late 19th century, this area was named Clemente Canyon for a native American rancher. During the 1970s its natural ecosystem and habitats were threatened by plans to place the San Clemente Canyon Freeway (State Route 52) along the canyon floor.

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