Totally worth the drive up there! Beautiful! Great spot for meditation, grounding, and pictures.read more

Sunset Cliffs is a San Diego institution! I frequently go for walks in this area. A lot of of it…read moreis parallel to the street but at the end there is a nice open park with a few trails that butt up to Point Loma Nazarene university. It is especially beautiful right now in the spring... All the flowers are starting to come out and everything is green. This is also a great area to come out with a picnic and watch the sunset. And if you don't bring a picnic, there are lots of great taco and brunch spots in Ocean Beach for after your walk!

*Hidden gem *part of the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological…read moreReserve *several trails with mild to strenuous levels (slot canyon is strenuous... but there were parts of the switchback trail that was labeled as moderate that were a bit strenuous *Know your limits, hydrate, wear good hiking /walking shoes and listen to your body *incredible plant and wildlife biodiversity *birding hotspot * trail is unpaved *trail starts at the end of a cul de sac... street parking is free but depending on the day and time can be hard

Before they made this place "upscale" lol, I knew it as the root many, many years ago!…read moreI suggest finding a spot to park on N. Rios Ave. From there, it is an uphill hike to even get to the rock trails. Enjoy the nature along the way. It's worth it once you are there. Beautiful rock formations and beautiful views from the top. Some of the paths in the rocks are roped off now, they didn't use to be. It's a tight squeeze making it to the top. If you are claustrophobic, I don't recommend it. It seemed tighter than it did 25 years ago, ha. All and all, this is a beautiful hike. Make sure to bring some water, especially if it's a hot day!

The Coast Walk Trail in La Jolla is one of those places that somehow exceeds expectations every…read moresingle time. It is unbelievably beautiful and feels like peak Southern California in the best way. The ocean views are absolutely breathtaking, with rugged cliffs, sparkling blue water, and waves crashing below you the entire walk. No matter how many times you stop to look around, it never gets old. The trail itself is well maintained and easy to navigate, making it accessible for all ages and fitness levels. You can go at your own pace, whether that's a relaxed stroll or a longer walk, and still feel completely immersed in nature. The weather is almost always perfect with sunshine, mild temperatures, and a refreshing ocean breeze that makes the experience even better. One of the highlights is the wildlife. You'll likely see seals and sea lions lounging on the rocks, birds flying overhead, and if you're lucky, dolphins swimming just offshore. It feels like a front row seat to nature. This is the kind of place that makes you stop, slow down, and appreciate how stunning California really is. A must visit for tourists and locals alike, and absolutely deserving of five stars.

039/2026/Feb This…read morescenic pedestrian path walk has a breath taking view!! It's not like a regular walk trail !! A panoramic view of the La Jolla coastline gave me a feeling of peace and tranquility just hearing the sound of the silent waves and bustling wind !!! Honestly the stairs are one too many for me so I just sat down and enjoyed the view from the wooden bench!

Torrey Pines is a gorgeous park just north of La Jolla. For a small parking fee, they offer…read morebeautiful cliff views, beach-side walking and hiking trails, and seasonal blooms. The views are great. Personally, I prefer La Jolla, but this is very suitable for someone looking for a casual walk/hike without the crowds. They have many benches and are far more intimate than surrounding beaches. I'd love to enjoy a sunset here, but unfortunately, cars must be out of the top lot by 7pm. They do, however, have an abundance of port-a-pottys in the lot. Well-preserved and very walkable, Torrey Pines is worth at least one visit.

3/30/26 update: We…read morepaid $15 for the entrance fee on a Monday. I believe it would cost more on a holiday or weekend. You have the option to park in the lower parking lot or the upper. We parked in the upper because it's closer to the hiking trails. I would park in the lower parking lot if you wanted to spend more time at the beach. We went on the Razor Point Trail, Beach Trail, and Yucca Point. The Beach Trail has more than 100 stairs that go down to the beach. We spent about 2 hrs in total there. We took pictures and videos. Make sure you wear sneakers, a hat, sunglasses, bring water, and sun tan lotion.

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

Was a bit muddy the day I came as it rained early in the morning. Also, there was a section that…read morewas blocked off due to construction or repairs so I only walked a little past the bridge.

San Diego has many urban canyons, and this short trail happens to wind through the Bankers Hill…read moreneighborhood. The south trailhead was a block north of Laurel Street on the east side of I-5 near the off-site airport parking structures. Curbside parking on Maple Street was narrow and difficult to find. The trail was a brief half mile out and back winding north and east until you reach the Quince Street Bridge where the north trailhead was located. The dirt path was very wide and for the most part not steep. You come across an interesting set of cacti right before you pass beneath the First Avenue Bridge. As you look up at the steel girders, you can appreciate the engineering it took to create the structure. On the other hand, the Quince Street Bridge at the north end was made of wood to support a pedestrian walkway. It took less than 30 minutes to complete the back and forth. If you live nearby, the Maple Canyon Trail is a leisurely stroll where you can bring kids and dogs without difficulty for them. For those seeking a more challenging trek, other local urban hikes can fit the bill.

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.

Hubby and I hiking spot Cowels mountain beautiful place to…read morevisit Bring your hiking boots and night light for evening trails after sunset

A local and tourist fav!…read more Cowles Mountain is a San Diego classic and the highest point in the city (~1,593 ft.), which means this short hike hits HARD! The main trail is about 3 miles round-trip with a steady, rocky incline. Be prepared to have your heart pumping fast with some heavy breathing. Who needs a warm up? Just come here! There are other trails in the surrounding areas and the popular 5-Peak Challenge. It's on my bucket list for sure! Cowles is one of the most popular hikes in San Diego, so the timing matters. Early weekday mornings are ideal unless you enjoy crowds. Parking is usually easy with street spots and a small lot if you're lucky. There's a restroom, but not fully stocked or well-maintained. So use if absolutely necessary. Bring enough water (especially on a hot day), wear good shoes with grip since it can get rocky along the trail. Don't forget to stop a few times to admire the view on the way up! The payoff is worth it. You get a 360 degree view of San Diego from the oceans to the mountains. Short, steep, sweaty, and effective! 4 stars on a good day and still one of my favorite quick workouts to get the adrenaline pumping!

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

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.