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Coast Walk Trail

4.9 (32 reviews)

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Edna G.

Amazing location in LaJolla to see the ocean waters, sea lions, birds, and take a good stroll. I love the vibe here. Lots of people loving the weather, the shopping and restaurants close by. Parking may be difficult but doable. Great place to have a little picnic and see the sunset. This is one of my favorite spots in San Diego. [10R,2026]

Sunset
Henri V.

Coast Walk Trail stretches along Coast Drive south of La Jolla Cove. Street only Parking can be a challenge. This trial is among a favorite of my pup Fendi and myself. The terrain for the most part is natural and some recreated by the city using indigenous flora to be consistent with the rest of the coastal greenery. Especially like that your views of the ocean is unobstructed and easily accessible for those that are physically able to. I've only seen about 3 flights of stairs from the bluff to the beach. Be Careful! The steps are jagged stone/concrete and not equally measured. Whether you're walking along the upper bluffs or closer to the beach, it's exploratory and the salty cool beach breeze is exhilarating to start your day or with the sunset to end your day. Recommend!!

The stunning La Jolla Cove as seen from the far end, right where the Coast Walk Trail begins its adventure.
Chris G.

For what it is, the Coastal Walk Trail in La Jolla is short but unforgettable, roughly half-a-mile of cliffside path with sweeping views of the Pacific, towering sandstone formations, sea lions basking nearby, and seabirds riding the surf breeze. We started the trek at the La Jolla cove which adds a little distance. The trail is mostly easy, with benches for resting, though parts are uneven or narrow. It's perfect for a peaceful stroll, especially at sunset or sunrise. We enjoyed the hike before breakfast; it's a good way to build your appetite.

Scenic views
Ryan M.

A VERY short, but scenic trail. Start just outside The Cave Store and you'll find a very scenic walk. One of the most beautiful views in San Diego. You walk along the coast, cross a wooden bridge then it's over and you have to walk back. Very easy walk, not even a hike. The only cons are; in the beginning you start by the sea cliffs where lots of sea birds roost so it smells like the penguin area at SeaWorld (a mixture of rotten fish and bird poop) There isn't much parking so visit early in the morning but the trail is short so walking isn't so much an issue. To find it just go to the Cave Store. After your walk/hike consider going into the cave store and pay to walk down the stairs to see the inside of the cave or go to one of the kayak shops on Avenida De La Playa and do a kayak tour of the cave (depending on conditions) I used to tell out of town guest to visit La Jolla cove to look at the sea lions, I think this might be a better option or at least another place for them to visit.

Felecia I.

Want a short, easy walk that is also exceptionally scenic? Check out the La Jolla Coast trail. This 0.6 mile walk, right along the shoreline, is insanely beautiful. Ocean views? Check. Coastal birds flying around and perched on rocks? Check. Sea lions barking and swimming around? Check. Also, people with kayaks, SUP boards and snorkeling gear just enjoying outdoor recreation in the Pacific. The trail was first built in 1932, although it was believed to have been used some 9,500 years ago by Native Americans as an access point for hunting and fishing. It has an interesting history. Love this spot so much!

Anthony A.

Beautiful low-key trail to walk in La Jolla. Lots of beautiful palms, agaves, and other plants. I highly recommend checking it out.

Coastal Walk Trail atopbthis bluff
Norbert K.

I highly recommend this Trail to anyone visiting La Jolla.  The natural beauty is awesome. For about a year, we lived a 300 ft or so from Coast Walk, and used the Trail frequently to walk into/from La Jolla Village.  The trail rather meanders near the edge of a bluff overlooking La Jolla Bay. The trail is unpaved, uneven terrain bordered by great plants that flower at different times of the year.  There are benches along the way.  Stop to enjoy the views or just to rest.  At the Village (western) end, you can look down at La Jolla Cove with its sea lions, as well as the famous La Jolla Caves.  When you reach the end, you can continue your walk on Coast Blvd to La Jolla Cove or find your way up to Prospect Street ... and the Village. Very limited street parking on Coast Walk.  No restrooms on the trail.

Ayla B.

Wow! Talk about a beautifully manicured trail with epic views! I walked the trail and picked a bench to sit on (there are benches throughout) to enjoy watching the waves crash in and the kayaking tours over the water. This is a great, safe space to find some quiet time and reflection as you gaze over the open ocean! Definitely recommend this spot and the trail is easy with minimal inclines! It would be suitable for all ages.

4/15/23 FYI
Lee D.

Quality/Quantity - Cool, easy, beautiful 0.6 mile walk/hike. See pictures. Small beaches, see picture. And with seals. Great place to watch the kayakers, paddle surfers, etc. Next to the cave store, see pictures. Atmosphere - See above and pictures. 3 hour free parking; if you do not mind walking, free all day parking approximately half a mile away. Bike parking. Clean outdoor public bathrooms. Views over the La Jolla Ecological Reserve (which some refer to it as the La Jolla Bay). It has endangered birds and animals. Used to be a hunting trail. Also see "Dead Man's Leap," Devils Slide. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Thanks to the residents and CA for keeping this trail and the area up.

J E.

While staying in LaJolla we heard about the views from this beautiful walk, so we stopped by one morning, around 9AM. There are two parking spots off of Coast Walk Trail (the actual road, prior to Prospect Rd), and we were fortunate to grab one when arriving. The views are amazing from here! The cove below, the walking trails and foliage, and the wildlife, mostly birds that you'll see are all beautiful! We walked a little way before turning around, but will definitely return and walk more of this amazing trail.

View from the Trail to the ocean
James A.

Easy, paved walkway above the La Jolla Cove, giving great views of the ocean and people enjoying it. It is well maintained and there is even a wall to recognize the people and entities who contributed.

We loved this nice light hike.
Cherie M.

Wow! What a great way to see San Diego! My partner and I went to visit some friends and decided to go on a nice walk before we went to brunch. We were not disappointed. I loved seeing the ocean, the seals? And the nature along this trail. It's good for walking, but be ready to do a little bit of hiking. It's right on the edge of the cliff. We will be back very soon!

Coast Walk Trail
Patrick M.

5 huge stars for the Coast Walk Trail. It's a nice walk along the coast between The Cove & La Jolla Shores. Some of the nicest views you'll ever see and good fun for people of all ages.

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This trail is so pretty. Come early to get parking because even on weekdays the lot and street parking fills up fast.

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Review Highlights - Coast Walk Trail

Bring binoculars for additional entertainment as the sea lions and birds are everywhere and active.

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La Jolla Trail - Along the hiking path.

La Jolla Trail

4.1(211 reviews)
2.7 miLa Jolla Shores

I had heard a lot about the "Ho Chi Minh Trail" and finally tried it over a recent weekend. I am…read morenot sure who discovered or developed this hike, but it felt like, "Hey, let's follow the natural erosion of the land and create a shortcut to Black's Beach from the residences in La Jolla Farms." The number of people who were either barefooted or were wearing flip flops to make this trek really surprised me. I was wearing hiking shoes and was fortunate to only pick up a couple of minor scrapes along the way. The views of the canyons, the bluffs, and the hang gliders overhead were very beautiful so there were plenty of photo opportunities. I felt the hassle to descend towards the beach was not worth the short journey. The path was only about 3/4 mile in distance one way which I completed in about 20 minutes. Trekking poles were not at all useful, and they became a hindrance in a few areas. This was a hike in which you should NOT bring children or dogs. If you have a fear of heights, then you may also want to think twice before trying this trail. There were at least two or three very treacherous spots in which a slip could lead to a nasty fall with a concussion, sprain, fracture, or even death as an outcome. There are many other hiking locations in San Diego County that are more rewarding than the La Jolla Trail.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone--And Into a New Chapter…read more This weekend, I challenged myself to hike the Ho Chi Minh Trail in La Jolla. It's known to be steep, rugged, and unpredictable. When I arrived, I felt unprepared--others seemed more equipped, more confident. I considered backing out. But I didn't. I stuck with it. Step by step, I pushed through the discomfort and self-doubt. And when I reached the end, I wasn't just relieved--I felt alive. That quiet sense of accomplishment reminded me that growth doesn't happen in certainty; it happens in motion. #PersonalGrowth #ChallengeAccepted On my drive home, I spotted two butterflies--one a monarch, the other yellow. To me, they weren't just beautiful--they were symbolic. A monarch represents transformation. A yellow butterfly, joy and renewal. It felt like the universe's way of saying: "You're on the right path. Keep going." #Transformation #Joy After years of living in San Diego without truly connecting to it, I've decided: it's time I lived here for a change. This city has so much to offer--if I'm willing to explore it with fresh eyes and an open heart. #RediscoverSanDiego #ExploreMore As I move into a quieter season work-wise, I plan to fill that space with more meaningful experiences like this one. Nature. Movement. Presence. Rediscovery. #Mindfulness #NatureLover Because we don't always need a big shift to change our lives--sometimes, all it takes is a trail, a choice, and the courage to begin. #CourageToBegin #SmallSteps #successfultaxseason2025 #enjoyingthefruitsoflabor #beautyofnatureinSanDiego #Rebirth #meaningfulexperiences #lifeisbeautiful #utilizingfullyoffseasonfunactivities Just show my fitness I put myself through is working!!! #healthyfitnessinprogress. #12 walk - Ho Chi Man Trail

Photos
La Jolla Trail - Beach shore at the end of the hike

Beach shore at the end of the hike

La Jolla Trail - A doable hike with some challenging spots

A doable hike with some challenging spots

La Jolla Trail

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Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve - The falls area

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

4.2(394 reviews)
10.2 miMira Mesa, Torrey Hills

I've done this trail/hike quite a few times already since I grew up in the area. It's been a few…read moreyears since I had last done it and I went alone with my little dog a few months ago during the summer. BRING ALOT OF WATER. If you're new to this trail/hike, I would recommend the north trail. The south trail can be a bit confusing and you may get lost if you're inexperienced. Parking: I take a little shortcut and I park closer to Park Village elementary school and there's a little parking lot area roundabout that you can park in. Plenty of little trails , little critters, and people riding their horses through. A calming sight to see. there is good amount of water during the summertime when I went. Hiking shoes are not needed. When you get to the waterfall, there's plenty of rocks you can climb onto and it's pretty fun. Dog friendly, but make sure they're on a leash during the trail.

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve is a set of flat hiking trails along a dry creek bed stretching…read morefrom Black Mountain Road on the east to Sorrento Valley on the west. The round trip from one end to the other was just under 12 miles. From the east, you start at Canyonside Community Park. The parking spaces closest to the trailhead were adjacent to baseball field #8 so keep that in mind. You can actually take one of two parallel trails westward, one north of the creek bed and one south of the creek bed, towards the "waterfall" which was about a three-mile distance. I have done both before with different groups of friends. There was quite a bit of shade on certain parts of the trek. You will need to watch out for dung as horse riding was permitted on the trails. The waterfall was an area of boulders where the creek has flowing water that descends maybe 20 feet over a distance of about 50 yards. At this junction, you can cross the creek from the north trail to the south trail or vice versa to head back east to Canyonside Community Park. I have never gone west of the waterfall, but one of these days I will do so or start from the Sorrento Valley side and head eastward. If you like a long hike without much elevation, then this will be for you.

Photos
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve - Path across a ridge

Path across a ridge

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

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Oak Canyon Trail

Oak Canyon Trail

4.6(24 reviews)
13.0 mi

If you're looking to do an easy nature trail walk, I recommend this one! Right from the start you…read moresee a lake scenery with lots of trees and plants on the water. There were trees with yellow leaves because it's fall. Didn't see much wild life. There were bridges and streams. No steep hills. Beautiful views and atmosphere.

We parked at a large lot next to the Visitor Center (plenty of spots ~ 830AM). We walked…read moreapproximately 1.5mi to the Old Mission Dam (lots of water!) then proceeded according to the Google Maps for "Oak Canyon Trail" since the map at the Visitor Center didn't show where the waterfall was. We have done portions of this hike coming from other entry points when it was DRY, and everything was rocks and dirt. With the recent rains, areas that were previously rocks/dirt were now covered with running water. It actually took awhile to get from the "Giant Oak Tree" landmark to where the waterfall was supposed to be, because two-way traffic was needing to stop and wait for each other, since in parts of the trail, only a sliver of muddy ground could be traversed. If you are wanting to do this hike now, you will not be able to take strollers on this path & you should be somewhat surefooted because the rocks can be slippery. Stupidly, I can't figure out if I actually saw a waterfall. I saw a lot of segments in which the flowing water would "fall" a foot or so (one photo attached). Overall, it was a beautiful hike and wonderful to see a familiar hiking trail completed transformed by the rains. That being said, it was supposed to be an out-and-back hike but we were not interested in clambering through mud/rocks/water again so we actually used the North Fortuna to Grassland loop trail to get back to the Visitor center. This turned a 3mi hike into an 8mi one. Our bodies were very tired

Photos
Oak Canyon Trail - Pedestrian bridge

Pedestrian bridge

Oak Canyon Trail
Oak Canyon Trail - All the previously dried beds are now filled with flowing water

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All the previously dried beds are now filled with flowing water

Lake Murray - Always gorgeous

Lake Murray

4.4(334 reviews)
13.8 mi

Lake Murray is so beautiful and I enjoy coming here! I've been here a few times to walk the trail…read moreand also sit by the lake and read on a nice sunny morning. The birds can be a bit annoying, but guess that comes with the great outdoors. Definitely a nice spot to chill, take a walk and get those steps in. This area feels safe and well maintained. When I went, there weren't too many people, so it was pretty peaceful. The trail can get busy and there are bathrooms along the way (I didn't use them though) There's plenty of parking here, but just be sure you leave on time for closing. I've heard they lock up and it can be an issue with getting out. (not sure how true this is but I won't chance it) There is more parking elsewhere with trail access too, I just personally haven't found it.

Lake Murray Service road walking trail is one of my go-to workouts--about 5.5 miles to the locked…read moregate and back. After entering the main entrance, follow the road and turn right where you will see a yellow locked gate. This is the beginning of the paved walking trail. There's plenty of parking at the main entrance, and the paved trail is perfect for walkers, runners, bikers, and even kids tagging along. It's basically a choose-your-own-adventure: bird watching, fishing (permit required), or just a casual picnic. Bonus perks: lots of porta potties and benches when you need a breather. If you're holding out for a real restroom, there's one just past the second baseball field--plan accordingly. Photo is attached to show where to locate this. Heads up: the main gate is closed every 2nd Tuesday of the month, but don't panic--you can still access the trail through the neighborhood entrance off Baltimore Drive. Hope you enjoy this walking trail as much as I do.

Photos
Lake Murray - Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!

Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!

Lake Murray - Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.

Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.

Lake Murray

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Cabrillo National Monument - Cabrillo National Monument

Cabrillo National Monument

4.6(821 reviews)
12.1 miPoint Loma

Very stunning and beautiful place! It was $20 for our vehicle to enter and was completely worth the…read moreentrance fee! Things start to close between 4:00-4:30pm (some of the trails you must start before 2pm) and they will start to escort people off the monument shortly before 5pm! So plan accordingly if you want to visit more than one location or do a hike. The park rangers are super helpful and kind so don't be afraid to approach them if you have any questions or just want to know more about the area!

I've been here a few times and love this National Monument. Some people that have reviewed this…read moreplace didn't think too much about the tidepools but I disagree with their reviews. I came here recently with Environment California as they were having a guided tidepooling event so I signed up. By attending the event, you also get the $20 entry fee waived so thats really nice. I came earlier than the tidepooling event around 10:30am and had an our to check out the visitor center and then made my way to the tidepool area. If you come earlier, parking is not an issue. But, when I left around 2pm, parking is pretty difficult. My suggestion is to come early. Low tide was from 12pm - 4pm on the day I came and the science educator and the lead from Environment California both did a great job explaining the wildlife in the tidepools and the importance of marine protection areas. I had a great time here looking at all the fun little organisms that live in the tidepools. I saw all sorts of hermit crabs, a Hopkins rose nudibranch, a crab that was eating a kelp pod, and so many snails and mussels and little fishes, tadpoles! The 2 hours flew by and I thoroughly learned so much and also met some great people fighting for marine protection. I would definitely come back here again to look at the amazing ecosystem and get a dose of sun and nature. And never mind all the birds I saw too! I was completely overwhelmed and at one point had a hard time fumbling between binoculars and phone to take videos and photos! I love this place, definitely will come back!!

Photos
Cabrillo National Monument - Cabrillo

Cabrillo

Cabrillo National Monument - The original lighthouse on top of the hill, built in the 1800s / April 2025

The original lighthouse on top of the hill, built in the 1800s / April 2025

Cabrillo National Monument - Cabrillo National Monument

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Cabrillo National Monument

Coast Walk Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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