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    Daley Ranch

    4.6 (112 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Amanda J.

    Great spot for hiking or biking. There are many well-maintained trails ranging from easy to challenging, and the views are great throughout. It's also nice that they have a parking lot with plenty of space.

    Encountered my first bullfrog ever! Totally chilling. Didn't mind us walking by.
    Kim M.

    My second time coming here today and it was wonderful! I was so nervous when I saw the almost-full parking lot at 7:45am on Memorial Day, but the most foot traffic we encountered was near the end of our hike on Creek Crossing, close to 9:30am, with folks entering the trailhead. A few had off-leash (big) dogs. Other than that...The trails are beautifully maintained. It was overcast the whole time we were there, but we didn't mind. Such vast beauty to enjoy. Can't wait to go back and explore more of the trails!

    So pretty!
    Bonnie G.

    Time for an update! I haven't been to Daley Ranch on a weekday in many years. Weekends are crazy packed and not many people are wearing masks...but on the weekday, it's a different story. Parking was a breeze and there were barely any people out. Whoever was out took the current mask situation very seriously! Thank you, fellow maskers! The hike up to the Ranch House is 1.1 miles, so 2.2 roundtrip. It was a glorious sunny, yet cool day. My kids and I had a great time- fresh air, sunshine, and movement! It's not a challenging hike since the path we took was all asphalt, but there are some pretty decent inclines. Perfect for tiring my kids out! I have hiked several other trails at Daley Ranch, but when I'm with my kids I always chose the main Ranch House trail. There's a bathroom at the top, some benches, and picnic tables. Perfect resting spot. I'll be back!

    John M.

    So, these are my new stomping grounds, huh? Not bad. Not bad, at all. Having recently relocated from the Bay Area, most of my favorite & frequently visited trails for hiking & running up there were in Coastal Redwoods. Obviously, the climate, ecology, & environment of Daley Ranch is very much different, but the wonder of Nature still abounds. & there are lots of trails, so many trails. I've already logged a considerable amount of mileage out here, yet there are still hills unclimbed & routes unexplored. Just before the trailhead near Dixon Lake, there's a decent size free parking lot & a line of street parking. All of which can fill up. But with all the comings & goings when it's busy, a spot can usually be found without too much effort. & regardless of how crowded parking may be, the trails are often wide open with maybe just another person or 2 within line of sight. Go far enough out & you can have the outdoors all to yourself. Fantastic for some cardio, fresh air, & clearing out your head. All that mere minutes from home for me ain't bad. Not at all.

    Great group hike with Resilient Squad
    Jason R.

    I went for the first time on Saturday (12/1/18) and really enjoyed the hike. I wish I lived closer to come back and explore more of this area but I unfortunately live about 90 miles away. We started our hike from the eastern part of Daley Ranch. There is a rather large dirt parking lot by a trailhead next to the San Diego Humane Society. Parking was free. We took the Caballo trail for about 1.8 miles until it meets up with Sage trail and we went to the right on Sage trail for about 1.5 miles and used the Stanley Peak trail for the last 3/4 of a mile to the top. Total mileage for us to the top was 4.1 miles (so 8.2 miles RT). There are a couple of steep parts on the trail...esp the last part to the peak but nothing too difficult and there are many parts that are either flat or with minimal incline. The elevation at the peak is about 1,973 ft and there is a gain of about 1,400 ft. I would rate this hike on the easy side of moderate. Give yourself about 3 to 4 hrs to complete. It wasn't too busy and we say more mountain bikers than we saw hikers. The views at the top are great, but kinda ordinary on the way. *hiking poles are not needed on this hike...depending on the weather conditions I think 1-2L of water is enough

    Sage trail up to Stanley peak
    Lynn R.

    I wanted to try a new hike that was inland from Point Loma since it's still nice and cool so I drove to daily ranch in Escondido for the first time. It was easy to fine and there's plenty of parking and there's a great trail head with lots of maps so I took a map and figured out which way I was going to go. I went up Creek Crossing East Ridge to Sage all the way up to Stanley peak the mountain lilacs were a bloom and all the bushes were green and there were quite a few blooms on the monkey flower and the wild cucumber plants. I saw a little bunny rabbit as I started my hike. There's quite a few ponds along the hike and that's enjoyable to see they are man-made pond by the daily family for the wildlife in the area. It was a nice gentle uphill climb until the very last section up to this peak of Stanley Peak and it was a beautiful view from all angles. After enjoying a picnic lunch we walked back on the loop to the sage trail over to the ranch house so we could see the Homestead area it's right along the creek bed and it was very picturesque and while we were there we got to hear a concert of coyotes yipping for quite a long time and they were very close to us. After we rested there we walk down the Ranch House Road and it was very pretty with the oak trees lining the road and a view of middle Pond and it was a short walk from the ranch house back to our car so that's a quick way back if you don't want to take them any other options that branch off at the ranch house. We hiked about 7 1/2 miles and had a beautiful day and I will definitely come back and try some of the other trails next time. The nearby Dickson lake is a beautiful recreation area with a picnic groves and campgrounds in a little hiking trail as well. All in all it was a beautiful day

    Jamie A.

    What a gem in Escondido! Free parking, multiple trails and tons of information all over the ranch. For example, there is a clear Mission Statement and rules posted at the La Honda entrance. Also, you can pick up physical maps at the front (although its easier to DL it online and save it to your phone). There are free plastic poop bags and markers for certain plants like black sage and even caution signs for poison oak! This is a popular place for mountain bikers and for the most part, they ring their bells and let you know when they need to pass you.There are trails for all levels and little shade. Yeah there will be a few large trees here and there, but you'e in the middle of the rocky hills and mountains which is perfect to hike in peace. This is why I prefer this to Double Peak and Ridgeline trails. However, I just have to be a bit more prepped to hike here because once you start a trail you might want to connect to another and before you know it you'll have a few miles to loop back to your car. I suggest you wear shoes with good traction and some ankle support. A hat, sunglasses and some kind of neck covering won't hurt. Enjoy the views and the solitude without a sunburn! Passed a few people on the main road, but the trails are pretty free. Unfortunately, there is too much dog waste everywhere. The rules are clearly stated AND there are free baggies, people. I didn't see any horses, but I jumped around a large pile of horse poop on a narrow trail?!?! There is parking by Dixon Lake and on the street; another dirt lot on the back end by the SD Humane society which is good if you want to do Caballo to Sage. I haven't done Stanley Peak yet, but eventually. I'd say get here before 8 AM in the summer and bring enough water. You can refill it at the water fountains by the ranch house. Restrooms there are also open and available!

    Morning walk.
    Yolanda R.

    Started my adventure at the La Honda Drive entrance. Parking was plentiful. The ranch is open and due to covid-19 and mask are required; however, I noticed Not everyone complies. That being said, Daley Ranch is a unique place to hike, mountain bike or horseback ride. The ranch has 20 miles of trails in various levels of difficulty. I took the creek crossing trail, and I find the trail to be moderately strenuous and it provided a great workout. I noticed a lot of dogs on leashes, which is the requirement, and I noticed a lot of poop on the ground. Pretty sad that some pet owners are so negligent. Anyway, check out this link for more information and bring plenty of water and stay a: http://daleyranch.org/explore/history/

    Julia P.

    This is the second time I've been here, and the first time I've hiked it with just adults. There are a number of intersecting trails at Daley Ranch. Pick up a map at the entrance and plan your route for as long or as short as you'd like (or use the AllTrails map). The trails are marked by a number of posts, so it was pretty easy to navigate using the paper map. This time of the year, there were a ton of tiny frogs jumping all over the trails, so we had to be mindful of where we were stepping. Views of the lake were beautiful. The hills in that area made for a great workout. The only negative I noticed was that a lot of people did not care enough to pick up after their dog, which sucks.

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    One of my favorite spots for a run or a bike ride. Live life and enjoy each minute! This place has amazing views as well.

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    10 months ago

    My granddaughter experienced a great camp a week ago. Im looking forward to her going again next summer.

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    Came here to walk my dogs , it was a holiday so it was busy but I would love to come another time and enjoy the views of the lake .

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Daley Ranch

    Review Highlights - Daley Ranch

    From the ridge and from Stanley Peak, you can see the ocean to the west and the mountains to the east.

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    Coast To Crest Trail

    Coast To Crest Trail

    4.0(13 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    My 1000th review goes to the Coast to Crest Trail which is the path of the coast of Del Mar going…read moreall the way inland towards Volcan Mountain by Julian! I love this hike within the San Dieguito River Park especially the San Pasqual Valley segment. I've been doing this particular hike along the trail the past four years and it's awesome. Parking is plentiful and a cinch to find! I start this at the *San Pasqual Staging Area* which starts by a citrus grove, then passes a large turf grass farm, abandoned buildings, a closed dairy, and scenic views from afar amidst the vegetation and unique species of plants along the path headed towards *Ysabel Staging Area* which is about 6 miles out and back. I definitely enjoy exploring the San Pasqual Agricultural Preserve and all of it's beauty and history. There are more bicyclists than hikers along this route, which is pretty sweet for it being a mellow path. Next time I definitely want to turn it up a notch by doing one of the longer hikes which I believe will be about 12- 22 miles if I go further out. :)

    This is a nice hiking (and bicycle) trail that roughly follows the San Diequito River from the San…read moreDiequito Lagoon eastward. The area around the Lake Hodges one of my favorites. Sadly, the Lake is considerably smaller that we moved here 20+ years ago because of droughts and Dam repairs. Recently, the Lake Hodges Dam has been found to have very serious problems that will require significant reconstruction or replacement. The water level will kept at the 280 foot level. It may be 2034 before the Lake returns to "normal".

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    Coast To Crest Trail
    Coast To Crest Trail
    Coast To Crest Trail

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    Big Laguna Trail

    Big Laguna Trail

    4.3(3 reviews)
    10.8 mi

    Located in Mount Laguna (Not in Rancho Bernardo as the Yelp page states), this is a network of…read moretrails that ends up at or around Big Laguna lake. Hiking wise there are three approaches. From the south up, from the north down (my entry point), and from the side ( though a privately managed campground). From a milage perspective, expect around 6-8 miles total if you do a full loop from the north or south. Of course just walking to the lake and back will put you around 4 miles using the most direct trails. Family-friendly, but these trails are heavily used by mountain bikers. Ideally, these trails are great for both hiker and biker. Know the unwritten social rules of the road before biking/hiking here. Always put your head on a swivel. Some bikes go very fast. Always have an adult in front and behind the kids if you're hiking as a family. If you're a biker, have a bell on your bike and if you're in a group of bikers be sure to let hikers know if there are more bikers trailing behind you. These rules seemed to be understood by most people on this trail. NOT PUP FRIENDLY. Unless you go during December through March don't bring your dogs. The afternoon that we visited (early June) is was about 80 outside and there were several dog rescues that were performed. We assisted in one of them. Wasn't uncommon to see dog owners carrying their dogs during the final stretch. Altitude plus moderate sun/heat exposure is what defines this trail. Plus ticks and snakes. Keep the pups at home. - lots of snakes here. Stay on trail.

    It's a fun trail, not very difficult. The lake looked like it could use some TLC. There are lots of…read morecamping sites near by so good for the family.

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    Big Laguna Trail
    Big Laguna Trail
    Big Laguna Trail

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    Double Peak Park

    Double Peak Park

    4.6(181 reviews)
    8.5 mi

    I visited Double Peak Park in San Marcos recently, and it turned out to be a much more lively and…read morememorable place than I expected. Even though it is an outdoor park, it has this energetic atmosphere that teenagers would enjoy a lot. I saw a surprising number of teenagers around the lookout areas, the trails, and the picnic spots, which made the whole place feel youthful and social in a way that reminded me of the playful energy I felt at Funko Hollywood. The wide open views at the top almost felt unreal when I first saw them, and I could easily understand why so many teens were taking pictures there. The scenery practically invites you to take photos without needing anything extra. As I walked around, I realized there was more to the park than I expected. Some parts of the trail felt a little worn down, and a few areas could have been more polished, which is part of why I would give it four stars instead of five. Still, I appreciated how easy it was to explore the park without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Even with groups of teenagers laughing and taking pictures, the atmosphere stayed calm and relaxing. I only visited Double Peak Park one time before writing this review, but it left a strong impression on me because of how open, peaceful, and lively it felt all at once. It is one of the more refreshing outdoor places I have been to in a while, and I never doubted that the experience would turn out the way I hoped it would. I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because they would love the photo opportunities, the sense of freedom on the trails, and the creative feeling that comes from being somewhere with such a wide and inspiring view. It gives them a place to hang out, take pictures, and enjoy themselves without spending any money.

    What a view! I came up for the Starwalk event hosted by the city of San Marcos through the Double…read morePeak Astronomy program. There was plenty of parking but we got there early just in case. We walked up to the check-in desk, provided our info, and were given instructions, star maps, and red lenses for our phones. We then walked to Mahnita Boyden-Wofford Amphitheater (a large cement amphitheater) and found seats facing the volunteer ranger presenting the night's info. Unfortunately, it was a bit too foggy to see much. The volunteer ranger (John Walsh) answered questions and explained differences between various stars, meteors, satellites and sky debris. Occasionally, the sky would open up for us to see a few stars. We did get to see the summer triangle and a satellite though. It was a good learning experience and I hope to do more in the future on a clear night. Tip: apparently it's tarrantula season so watch your step.

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    Double Peak Park
    Double Peak Park
    Double Peak Park - Perfect spot

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    Perfect spot

    Rancho La Costa Preserve

    Rancho La Costa Preserve

    3.7(3 reviews)
    11.6 mi

    I parked the truck per trailforks app for Rancho La Costa Preserve at Corte Romero off Rancho Sant…read moreFe and Camino Junniper. Neighborhood trail head. Climbed "Switchbacks" trail. Hard work. Once you start getting up you can see the entire valley of rooftop after rooftop after rooftop out to the ocean so it is nice to have quite a place for recreation in a high density populated area. Painstaking pedaling for 2 miles up over rock gardens. It was a few days after hard rains and the trail is soupy and very muddy in spots. Dry in other places. Rideable. Great views off Carlsbad out to ocean cuz no trees. Moslty chaparral native plants. This is more for hiking than mountain biking. That is my opinion and I am sticking with it. I ride all over the western USA and Canada BC. I have ridden hundreds and hundreds of trails. Not a flowly trail that cross county MTBikers like. Nondescript surrounding terrain - only hills of low chaparral scrub plants. Just up. Then down. Not so exciting for a rider. Probably a bit more fun just hiking! But a great neighborhood place to recreate - get into the wild! After an hour exploring, I shut it down. Muddy. Not thrilling for the mind, body and soul. Headed / pedaled out. Hey, the trail should dry out by summer LOL! Trails need some maintenance. Suggest put in water breaks to divert water off trails. Prevent the big ruts. Trail will continue to erode. By the way, if you hike after rains, be prepared to step in mud.

    Checked out the Copper Creek Loop on the all trails app. We parked off the Y intersection on San…read moreElijo Road and walked a bit on the road before taking a left on the trail. It's best to do the large but steady uphill first if you're looking for a good workout and end with the waterfall. The trail does get you to the peak pretty quickly and you can stop, rest, and enjoy the views before continuing on the path. There are some rolling hills after. We used the all trails app as you can get a little lost with all the branching trails. We ended up doing a little over 4 miles because we missed a turn. The hike was supposed to be 3.3 miles. We enjoyed the views from the top but found the old mine especially interesting. There are some signs posted regarding the history. There is a small waterfall that you can view but not access as there's, "No Tresspassing" signs. You can get close enough to snap pictures but not so close to actually touch any running water. The trail after this is very lush with plants and shade. It made for a very pretty, quick hike. For an even shorter hike you can simply to the copper creek trail (out and back) by taking the trail in the reverse direction. It does get hot out here as the majority of the hike is NOT shaded. Bring plenty of water, hat, sunscreen and shoes with good traction. We would definitely come back!

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    Rancho La Costa Preserve
    Rancho La Costa Preserve
    Rancho La Costa Preserve - View Carlsbad to ocean

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    View Carlsbad to ocean

    Kumeyaay Trail

    Kumeyaay Trail

    4.0(1 review)
    3.0 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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    Daley Ranch - hiking - Updated May 2026

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