Megan & Mike’s San Diego Hiking Highlights
Favorite Hikes
Is our go to hike, in town - need to stretch the legs, hike. It is a rewarding hike with stunning views up to La Jolla, down to Mexico and beyond. It is 2 miles each way and rated as moderate. It is a fairly popular hike, so don’t expect to be alone. Parking is most often easy in the neighborhood the trail dead ends in. It is also a great one for a sunset or moonlit hike if you are comfortable with those.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mother Miguel Trailhead
2345 Paseo Los GatosIs our go to hike, in town - need to stretch the legs, hike. It is a rewarding hike with stunning views up to La Jolla, down to Mexico and beyond. It is 2 miles each way and rated as moderate. It is a fairly popular hike, so don’t expect to be alone. Parking is most often easy in the neighborhood the trail dead ends in. It is also a great one for a sunset or moonlit hike if you are comfortable with those.
Is a massive park within city limits with over 60 miles of trails, 5 peaks over approximately 7,000 acres. Our favorite hikes and peaks are Kwaay Paay Peak Trail (1.15 miles each way; Moderate), North Fortuna (2.3 miles each way via Oak Canyon, Fortuna Saddle and North Fortuna Trail; Moderate) and South Fortuna (5.8 mile loop trail via South Fortuna Trail and Fortuna Saddle Trail Loop; Moderate). The most popular hike is Cowles Mountain Trail that is 1.5 miles each way and rated as moderate. There is a 5 Peak challenge if you take a photo at the top of all 5 peaks and submit it to the Visitor center. Most often parking is easy to find at any of these trail heads.
194 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Regional de Misiones de Senderos
1 Father Junipero Serra TrailIs a massive park within city limits with over 60 miles of trails, 5 peaks over approximately 7,000 acres. Our favorite hikes and peaks are Kwaay Paay Peak Trail (1.15 miles each way; Moderate), North Fortuna (2.3 miles each way via Oak Canyon, Fortuna Saddle and North Fortuna Trail; Moderate) and South Fortuna (5.8 mile loop trail via South Fortuna Trail and Fortuna Saddle Trail Loop; Moderate). The most popular hike is Cowles Mountain Trail that is 1.5 miles each way and rated as moderate. There is a 5 Peak challenge if you take a photo at the top of all 5 peaks and submit it to the Visitor center. Most often parking is easy to find at any of these trail heads.
Is another great area of trails right on the coast in La Jolla. There are many trails and they all stay pretty close to the coast so it’s easy to turn around. Parking can be a challenge though on the weekends and sometimes in the evening. There is a pay for lot, as it’s a state park (I am pretty sure it’s a flat $20 day rate), but if you can snag parking along the southbound side of the street outside of the park entrance, it’s free! From the base, you hike up into the cliffs. And there are a bunch of trails that go through and around the canyons. There is also a beach trail that will take you back down to the beach and you can walk back to your vehicle along the water. Beautiful views & another great sunset spot.
1108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Reserva Estatal de Torrey Pines
12600 North Torrey Pines RoadIs another great area of trails right on the coast in La Jolla. There are many trails and they all stay pretty close to the coast so it’s easy to turn around. Parking can be a challenge though on the weekends and sometimes in the evening. There is a pay for lot, as it’s a state park (I am pretty sure it’s a flat $20 day rate), but if you can snag parking along the southbound side of the street outside of the park entrance, it’s free! From the base, you hike up into the cliffs. And there are a bunch of trails that go through and around the canyons. There is also a beach trail that will take you back down to the beach and you can walk back to your vehicle along the water. Beautiful views & another great sunset spot.
Is our personal favorite hike in all of San Diego County. It’s about a 45 minute drive east to get to the trailhead, and you have to pay for parking in cash, but the money goes to the State Park and I promise, the hike is worth it. It’s1.95 miles each way and rated as moderately challenging. It’s a pretty steady climb through rocky terrain. At the top you are rewarded with stunning 360º views. Words don’t really do it justice. There is always loads of parking (I believe it’s $5 you put in a little envelope) we have rarely seen anyone else on the trail. It can get a bit snowy and icy in the winter, so do check the conditions and be prepared. Just up the road a ways is the cute little town of Julian where they make world famous apple pies and other pastries. It’s a fantastic way to end a hike.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Stonewall Peak Trailhead
Stonewall Peak TrailIs our personal favorite hike in all of San Diego County. It’s about a 45 minute drive east to get to the trailhead, and you have to pay for parking in cash, but the money goes to the State Park and I promise, the hike is worth it. It’s1.95 miles each way and rated as moderately challenging. It’s a pretty steady climb through rocky terrain. At the top you are rewarded with stunning 360º views. Words don’t really do it justice. There is always loads of parking (I believe it’s $5 you put in a little envelope) we have rarely seen anyone else on the trail. It can get a bit snowy and icy in the winter, so do check the conditions and be prepared. Just up the road a ways is the cute little town of Julian where they make world famous apple pies and other pastries. It’s a fantastic way to end a hike.
This one requires a day permit for $6, but it does need to be booked in advance as there is generally no day-of availability. It is also only seasonally accessible as it often gets closed in the heat of the summer as there are often cases of heat-stroke, and it tends to dry up. The hike is 6.6mi round trip. BUT if you manage to plan ahead and make a reservation, it is such a wonderful destination hike. You get to a beautiful little grotto that you can swim in if the temperature is right, with a waterfall flowing into it. The hike involves a few stream crossings and you basically hike down to the waterfall and then up to get back out. If you make this trip, be sure to bring lots of water and some snacks. There are some good picnic-ing boulders, nearby!
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cedar Creek Falls Trailhead
15519 Thornbush RdThis one requires a day permit for $6, but it does need to be booked in advance as there is generally no day-of availability. It is also only seasonally accessible as it often gets closed in the heat of the summer as there are often cases of heat-stroke, and it tends to dry up. The hike is 6.6mi round trip. BUT if you manage to plan ahead and make a reservation, it is such a wonderful destination hike. You get to a beautiful little grotto that you can swim in if the temperature is right, with a waterfall flowing into it. The hike involves a few stream crossings and you basically hike down to the waterfall and then up to get back out. If you make this trip, be sure to bring lots of water and some snacks. There are some good picnic-ing boulders, nearby!