1. Coast To Crest Trail

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Escondido, CA

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Coast To Crest Trail

4.0 (13 reviews)

Coast To Crest Trail Photos

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Santa Ysabel Preserve
Marcus F.

The Coast to Crest Trail is North County's Trail. No other hiking experience in San Diego gives you as much nature over such a long stretch of diverse land as the Coast to Crest. Starting in Del Mar and ending in Julian there are over 40 miles of connected trails, soon to be over 70 miles. If your hiking boots haven't touched this trail you probably haven't hiked North San Diego. If you're new to NC trails, put your fears aside. The Coast to Crest is a very safe and family friendly hiking system. There are some hills here and there, but overall it's a great healthy walk through San Diego's chaparral. - It doesn't matter if you take this trail section by section, or grind the 20 mile mega hike, this is a trail system that will keep your family busy for many weekends. - Many sections of the Coast to Crest are heavily used by mountain bikers. So keep your head up at all times. Tip - My favorite sections of the Coast to Crest trail are the East and West Santa Ysabel Preserves. Wildlife you're likely to see on The Coast to Crest. - Snakes - Coyotes - Rabbits - Deer - Stinkbugs - Large Turtles - Bats Sightseeing - Sikes adobe - Railroad tracks - Lake Hodges Dam - Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge - Volcon Airway Light Beacon - Clevenger Canyon Metal Chairs - Old Grand Avenue Overlook Bridge Best Off-Trails - Bernardo Mountain - Clevenger Canyon North and South Trails

Caroleann B.

After passing this hike area while on the freeway I could finally say, I've hike that spot. But you know, there are more trail ways to explore than the Lake Hodges Trail that I hiked with a group of people. There is street parking, but that seems to fill quickly. I arrived to the area at 8am and was lucky to get street parking. But don't fret, there is a large 'dirt' parking area near by. The trail is quite easy with a few areas that have a bit more gravel and crevices, and moderate incline, very doable for active kids. Plenty of runners, mountain bikers, cyclists and of course hikers. Just be cautious with the cyclists, not all are equipped with bells. Once you get walking you forget about the freeway until you have to walk underneath it! I think the kids might find it amusing and you could study the structure beneath the freeway. You might get a couple of cool shots. Oh, and don't forget to cross over the walkway bridge and view the growth of trees in the lake bed that once was filled with water. I certainly will return to hike the other trails, and I'm sure I will enjoy the beauty it has to offer as this hike did.

Chrissie O.

I've been on this I need to get get back in shape, must make my 10k steps on my fitbit, how on earth did i gain so much weight last year oh yeah vacations are fun and i love food phase. I've been trying to think of places I feel ok to be hiking by myself. Probably not the best idea to hike by myself but I like my random spontaneous get off the couch and go for a hike moments. Clears my head and gets me out to enjoy nature. I did prefer to hike this trail rather than the other trail I have been going to at Kit Carson Park. There were a few people biking and running so it made me more comfortable being on this trail. I entered the trail off of Sunset near the North County Fair mall. I also visited the San Pasqual Battlefield earlier today and they mentioned Mule hill so I was curious and I wanted to take this hike to see it. I did like seeing all the signs explaining what happened at Mule Hill during the battle. Be careful when you start the hike because the golf balls from the driving range will come flying at you. This is a easy hike to see mule hill. It's almost a mile to get to it but I decided to walk a little further since I had time to explore before it got dark. I saw so many deer on my hike which was so cool. It was a nice 3 mile hike and I would love to come back again soon.

Cool idea
Wendy H.

Why am I giving this trail five stars? Because I like options! Any trail that runs the length of mountains to ocean has got to be incredible right? Yep! On this particular hike I took the Sunset Dr entrance across the street from the mall. Plenty of parking if lot is full there is a dirt lot they open up. So many trails, all leading to different adventures. It was hard to choose sometimes, and we eventually headed back after 2 miles. On the way I crossed a creek, bridges, many bikers and gorgeous settings taking you away from the sound of the freeway noise and taking you back into nature. Mostly flat terrain makes it simple to walk forever, there are rocky spots along the way but not bad at all. I will return, because honestly I have a lot more exploring to do.

Pipe scope in front, dam in back
Steven G.

We parked by the entrance with a produce stand, off of the S-6 (or is it S-5)...I'm confused, wasn't the one driving. Some nice cardio. We saw some more tarantula hawks flying around, and lots of critters, skittering...nothing scary. Great scenery. Really enjoyed the hike, it was about 4 1/2 miles round trip. The pipe scope by the dam is a very nice piece of usable sculpture. Would do this one again, not very challenging, but fun.

Distance from golf range to coast to crest trail

A golf ball came within several feet of hitting my two year old son while we were walking on the coast to crest trail this afternoon. I had heard several balls hit ground nearby, but thought I was under estimating the distance. When one hit the ground in front of my son I panicked and ran away, quickly strapping him back in with the protection of the stroller. This is a tragic accident waiting to happen, and it nearly happened today. I regret not warning others that were passing by on the trail, and plan to call management of the Del Mar Golf center tomorrow. I will post an update if made safe for pedestrians as a path of travel.

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Ask the Community - Coast To Crest Trail

Review Highlights - Coast To Crest Trail

“Brought my roommate along with me and we ended up taking Hodges Trail which led us past the Bernardo pedestrian Bridge, Felicity Creek Bridge and upwards towards the summit of Bernardo Mountain!”

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Kumeyaay Trail

Kumeyaay Trail

4.0(1 review)
8.4 mi

The Kumeyaay Trail is a trail that hugs Lake Wohlford's North shore…read more Parking is free at the Lake Wohlford Ranger Station so just park and walk East to find the trail entrance. Note that the trail isn't marked very well, and you'll have to use trail intuition to find your way in the overgrown areas. The trail is mostly dirt, small boulders, and large flat smooth rocks. Expect mud and sand in some areas next to the lake. Not the best hike if you have bad knees. The actual hike was fun ( early spring after many large rainstorms). You'll walk by several Oak Trees and many wildflowers blooming. This is a birders paradise as many waterfowl make their homes here. It's about 4.5 miles there and back unless you are foolish and decided to walk around the ENTIRE LAKE.. That will make your hike 5.5 total. Note there is NO TRAIL to connect Kumeyaay to the South trails on the other side of the lake. Foolishness - So, once you walk to the end of the Kumeyaay Trail ( there is a private property gate) you might get the harebrained idea to cut through the swamp to get to the south side of the lake.. Okay, we did it ( with three kids).. There are a few things to know before deciding to cut across the mash to the other side.. Much of your hike will be through a large stinging nettle forest. If you're wearing shorts forget about going to the other side of the lake. If you have long pants / jeans you should be okay. Next you'll have to go through various reeds and muck. Then you'll have to cross a small stream about ten feet wide, a few feet deep.. You're going to get your shoes wet unless you're one hell of a long jumper. Finally, you'll have to ascend up a vertical cliff to get up to a road..One you're on the South Side of Lake Wohlford you still have a long way to hike to get back to your car. There is no shortcut and you'll have to walk along the busy Lake Wholford Rd for over a mile. Worth it?? Yeah it was pretty adventurous. - Tips I wouldn't kike this trail in the summer. There are soooo many places for rattlesnakes to hide.

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Kumeyaay Trail - River to cross if you want to get to the other side of lake.

River to cross if you want to get to the other side of lake.

Kumeyaay Trail
Kumeyaay Trail

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Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve - Blue dragonfly

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

4.6(233 reviews)
4.7 mi

We arrived around 8 AM on a Sunday, and the main lot was already full, but there's an overflow lot…read moreabout 400 feet away where we were able to grab the last spot. The trail itself was pretty quiet. We passed a few people here and there. It's very well maintained, though there aren't any signs or clear directions at certain points, so I'd recommend using AllTrails to stay on track. Also worth noting, there are no trash cans along the route, so plan accordingly. The trail is technically listed as not dog-friendly, but we did see a couple of dogs along the way. We did the 4.5-mile overlook loop. There were a few sections that were a bit steep, but overall it's a fairly easy hike with mostly flat terrain. There's a lot of greenery throughout, and the creek adds a really nice touch. It's a really scenic and peaceful setting. It took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. We went on a cloudy day, which ended up being perfect for the hike. Overall, it's a beautiful, well-kept trail and definitely worth checking out.

What an incredible trail! The mix of flowing water and those scattered rock formations makes every…read morestep feel like a little adventure. Going around 10 in the morning sounds perfect for soaking in the peaceful vibe without running into many people. It's a relatively easy route with plenty of spots to pause for a picnic, making it the perfect way to connect with nature and start the day surrounded by quiet beauty.

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Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve - Dragonfly

Dragonfly

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

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Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

4.5(20 reviews)
3.9 mi

A great suspension bridge that spans across Lake Hodges - what more could you ask for?…read more Great place to take pictures and also a fun walk - it connects to great trails around the lake.

Found this as one of the things to do when in Escondido, however... it was a bit of confusing…read moregetting here. Literally when you get off the highway you are at the location to venture across but there is no parking. You venture to the Park area where most everyone was off road biking at. We parked and began our journey back to the beginning of the bridge. It stated on yelp it was closed but it clearly was open. There are signs that say it is monitored 24-7, it appears that if the gate is closed there is a button to push to open it. The unfortunate part, the lake is so dried up that it no longer runs under the bridge. Feel like Google & yelp maps should be updated to reflect that. In the middle of the bridge you can see a faint hint of some water off in the distance but otherwise it is trees and grass and bushes. A bit sad and disappointing. A ton of people biking and utilizing the bridge to cross over and few walkers as well. It was a nice walk nonetheless just not a cool or breath-taking as we were expecting. If you get sea sick or nauseous easily, I do not recommend this bridge. Since it is a suspension bridge, you feel it. Today (9/18/21) was not a windy day. Can only imagine a windy day.

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Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge
Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge
Lake Hodges Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

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Del Dios Gorge Trail

Del Dios Gorge Trail

4.1(8 reviews)
3.2 mi

Awesome hiking! Check out the link to get the full map and where to…read more park. The lot is across the road from Bing Crosby Blvd. and Calle Ambiante. You will see the fruit stand and you will have to turn there in order to access the road to take you to the parking lot of the trail. The hike is 2.1 miles from the parking lot to the dam. The trails are pretty flat, but I do not think they are good for a first time hiker. You need to get other hikes under your belt. It was very quiet out here too. I did see a few mountain bikers and a couple of walkers on the trail, but it is not crowded at all. My dog was great on this walk too, so I highly recommend it for your 4-legged friends and family members. There are poop bags available at the start of the trail, so please pick up one (or two) before you set out.

A nice section of the Coast to Crest trail system that takes you right next to Lake Hodges Dam…read more - The trail goes mostly along the Del Dios Highway. So be prepared for loud car noises. - Many rattlesnake signs, and even a lookout called rattlesnake viewpoint.. - From the parking lot across from Cielo Rancho Fe, it's about 2 miles to the lookout. A few hills, but any family should be able to make it. Watch out for bikers tho... I challenge you! - It's 20 miles from this trail to the Wild Animal Park in Escondido...Do it in one day! Tip - Check out the website Hidden San Diego and look up the Lake Hodges Dam. Really cool photography (all trespassing mind you).

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Del Dios Gorge Trail
Del Dios Gorge Trail
Del Dios Gorge Trail

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Coast To Crest Trail - hiking - Updated October 2026

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