San Diego River Days is back for its 23rd year, bringing more than three dozen cleanup, education and outdoor events to communities along the 52-mile river corridor May 9-17, according to East County Magazine.

The San Diego River Park Foundation and partner organizations are organizing events from Julian and Lakeside to Mission Valley and Ocean Beach. East County activities include a Crestridge Ecological Reserve watershed and wildflower hike in El Cajon, an El Monte Valley cleanup in Lakeside and a guided visit to Eagle Peak Ranch Preserve near Julian.

Santee gets a direct stop on the calendar May 16, when the Santee Historical Society opens the Historic Santee Barn and Monarch Garden at 9200 Magnolia Ave. for an old-fashioned craft bazaar with a gardening focus and arts and crafts activities for kids.

The lineup also includes wildlife tracking, raptor education, bat and moth programming, art events, river cleanups and cultural history programs. Most events are free, though organizers say many require advance registration because of capacity limits.

For Santee residents, the river is not just a regional landmark — it runs through the city and helps shape local open space, flood planning, habitat restoration and recreation. A full calendar and registration details are available through San Diego River Days and the San Diego River Park Foundation.