San Diego in Bloom

Nature Photography

by

Diana Rozenshteyn

Mission Trails Regional Park

Mission Trails Regional Park is one of San Diego’s most beloved natural spaces — a vast 8,000-acre expanse that blends rugged canyons, rolling hills, and shaded areas along the river. With over 60 miles of hiking trails, it offers endless opportunities to explore the region’s native beauty and history.

This collection reflects the park’s seasonal richness: the delicate wildflowers that bloom in spring, the shade of 300-year-old coast live oaks, and the quiet flow of the San Diego River. I’m especially inspired by the contrast between sunbaked hillsides and cool, shaded creek beds, and the sense of timelessness found near the Old Mission Dam — a historic structure built in the early 1800s to support California’s first mission.

My photography here is guided by an appreciation for quiet moments — capturing subtle light, natural textures, and the stillness of the landscape. Each image is a reflection of the calm and connection I feel while walking these trails. To learn more about the park’s history, trails, and visitor programs, visit the Mission Trails Regional Park website.