This picnic area is situated off the Sunrise Highway in Mount Laguna. It's also a nice place to…read morepark if you want to hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail. An Adventure Pass is required to park here, and you'll have buy a day pass or an annual pass at a store that sells them. They might sell them in the Pine Valley shopping center a few miles south or at any major outdoors shop. The parking area has many spaces and several picnic tables scattered around the area. There is also a small trail here too and of course the Pacific Crest Trail. There is a bathroom here. Best time to explore this area is fall with all of the golden leaves from all of the Oak trees. Trails - Read my review of the Monument Peak trail. A must hike if stopping in this area. https://www.yelp.com/biz/monument-peak-hike-mount-laguna Tip - If you don't have a pass you can park at the viewpoint lot ( next road north of the picnic site) and up the road.

INDIAN CREEK LOOP REVIEW (8.8 miles)…read more Let's begin with 100% of hikes in Mt. Laguna or that includes the PCT will be an ethereal experience. Many say you can create, shape and mold reality. Others will say manifest and it will come. And then there are some that are just bah humbug. I always revel in God's imagination and creativity when he created these mountains. And then gave the gift of ingenuity to humans to work to create pathways and trails for us to enjoy and simply relish in gratitude and awe the entire hike. I'm a real hiker. Real backpacker. Real camper. And real glamping. I hike 2x a week for more than a decade. This is only to give you perspective of this review. This is my first time doing the full loop that included Pacific Crest Trail,Pine Mountain Road,Indian Creek Trail,and Noble Canyon Trail AKA "Indian Creek Loop." And today was wonky. Some parts were hard, some parts were easy, same parts were as if my body never has done hiking before. It was a doozy. I would likely do this hike again within the next couple of weeks. Because in my imagination, I'm an amazing hiker and that did not show today when I was struggling. I love taking photos and there was about an hour where I was trying to manage my breathing and focus and trek poles that I took no photos. Yep, I let the mountain win, smh. On this day, spectacular hike with alternating elevation, endless greenery, and blooming plants. Walking the legendary PCT, passing the "Canada" sign, and glimpsing Anza Borrego's desert floor was unforgettable. From rocky paths to meadows and mountain views, every turn offered something new. No one on the trail until the final half mile where bikers were on trail. I started at Piney Pines. Next time I'll go counterclockwise. GOOD TO KNOW *Att network excellent reception the entire trail *I felt safe as a solo hiker but I still get the quesies. I carry a few safety thins. Shhh. Don't tell *Hike time: 3 hrs, 3 minutes *90% exposed hike. *At the 4 mile marker, shade, benches and toilets. The toilets are unsanitary. I don't want to vomit and make it worse so I do my thing in nature. *When you start there's a point where you just have to finish *You can break this up to build up your mileage over time THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR: *Newbies, there's elevation involved *Whiners, complainers, or scaredy cats *Those who I have only done Cowles Mountain and think this is the next level "Life can be limited and you miss out. But create your own unlimitedness and you must do this hike."

This review is for the Garnet Peak via Pacific Crest Trail which was a 4 mile round trip that took…read moreabout 2 hours to complete. The trail for the most part was easy to follow and completely exposed to the sun. A good portion of the trail was rocky which could make your foot a bit uncomfortable. There were also a few instances where you could go off trail for a bit to check out the desert views! Short video of the hike for those interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htU3_t3cDMI

The lady there was very helpful. a weekend volunteer. maps could have been better. info on the…read morearea very spotty.

This is the visitor center for Laguna Mountain Recreation area. Opens Fri - Sun. Great resourcesread more

San Diego's most underrated drive is best experienced during fall when the gold and amber oak trees…read moreare brilliant with the season's color. Because of this byway's location most people tend to stay around Julian and Cuyamaca to hike. There are some trails off of this road which are a lot less crowded but just as fun. - Big Kahuna Trail (yelp erroneously has this trail under Rancho Bernardo CA) - Monument peak off the PCT (puts you under all the cool transmission towers) WINTER SNOW is also a popular time to come here as it's less crowded than Palomar Mountain, Julian and Cuyamaca snow spots. But less crowded is still very crowded. Tips: Always plan to bring snow chains. Sometimes the road is shut down to "chains only" as a way to curb insane crowds. Perhaps the biggest tip is to get to the snow early. Before 9am is best. People who show up later on a whim cause the most problems. The later it is the more accidents you'll see. I've witnessed this stupidity myself while driving back down the mountain. The sooner you arive the safer you and your family will be. Don't expect any parking after 11AM.... When you do find a spot hopefully you're facing the road back to your house. Trying to do a theee point turn is difficult on this narrow road and I watched some idiot back into a parked car trying to do it. Top- If you don't bring gloves you'll be turning around and going home within 30 minutes.

My favorite place in SD county to experience those lush pine forest vibes and snow during the…read morewinter time. If you're able to come here on a weekday, I recommend it, as you'll pretty much have the entire place to yourself. I choose this place over Palomar Mountain hands down, there's actually a place to eat here and the views are nicer IMO. If you get a chance, check out the Desert View Picnic site, you'll be able to see some breathtaking views of Anza Borrego State Park and contrast both the mountain/desert landscapes.

A surprise in our own backyard!!! A recommendation from a dear friend and an opportunity came to…read moretry the Burnt Rancheria Campground in the Cleveland National Park on Mt Laguna. Weather was perfect and the campground was ideal!!! Clean and well maintained helped to make our time this weekend worthwhile to truly appreciate and experience the Creations around us provided for our enjoyment but our Heavenly Father. Use GPS directions or you may pass the entrance. The entrance is right after the Pine Valley Cafe. Cellular reception is good in the mountains. I couldn't sleep the first night from all of the excitement so I sat alone in the middle of the field to gaze at the beautiful expanse of the heavens. Unbeknownst to me, that night a geomagnetic storm was creating amazing aurora borealis around the earth. Although my eye could not detect any hues or colors in the sky, my camera did and took some amazing photos!!! The next night I tried to take the same pictures and there were no hues, so I deduced that the night before must have been the Northern lights that the camera detected and recorded. At 6000' elevation I guess you can see incredible views of the sky!!! If you are 62 years old or older, apply for the "America The Beautiful" Senior Pass to receive a 50% discount on the Camping Fees. The Campground Hosts were very friendly if you show some respect and love to them. Shouldn't we all?

The campground was clean and well maintained. Bathroom was clean. Camp hosts were nice. Will return.read more

A great (Loop) hike that is best experienced during fall…read more.. There are many ways to hike this trail, but mine is a 5 mile loop hike. Follow my suggestions and get a great family-friendly hike with great views, fresh air, and you'll get up close to microwave towers, a USAF Doppler radar ball, and cellular towers. Soo cool. Okay, you've put this hike on your list based on the pictures but there are a few thing you need to know. I started at the Desert View picnic area. This is a great parking area but you MUST have an adventure pass to park here. You'll have to buy a day, or annual park pass at any sports/adventure store. OR, I found a free parking alternative. Okay here we go. I'll talk about the free parking..If you're at the picnic area just hop on the PCT and head north.. The access to the free parking area it's the next North turnoff past the Desert View picnic area. Drive up the road to the lot and park in the dirt lot.. Check out the view!! For your reference look up the road and you'll see a big black gate.. this is where your loop hike will END... Don't worry, you will not be trespassing on this hike. That gate only blocks cars, not hikers. My loop starts at the Pacific Crest Trail, so if you parked at the free area walk down the road and look for the trailhead on the RIGHT side of the road.. TIP - Because this area doesn't have reliable cell service you will need to use GPS via Google Maps (or a hiking app) to find the actual "unmarked Monument trail". TIP if you can't use google maps, you'll have to look for the PCT marker that's at the base of a small hill.. just look for a tight opening through manzinita trees on the right just before that sign. The monument trail is tight, but you can do it. Hike to the top and hike around the various government installations..take pictures..have fun. To complete the loop, continue to walk down the service road past more towers and dome heading south.. it will take you all the way back to the viewpoint parking lot.. TIPS - Put the location of the Desert View picnic area in your google maps app for reference BEFORE you enter this area (no internet coverage up here). Remember if you park at the picnic area you need an adventure pass. No pass required if you park at the viewpoint lot. This loop didn't have a single no trespassing sign. So do walk the service road on the loop back.

The views at the top are spectacular. Tall Pines to the west, dry desert to the east. This peak…read morelies on what is known as a ecotone. A boundary between two distinctly different habitats. I used the directions provided here and they got me to a parking area off the shoulder on Sunrise Highway, about mile marker 25. The trailhead has between a barbed wire fence and the trail unmarked. You walk in a northerly direction for about half mile or so through a trail that looks vague in places do to lack of use, apparently. I got this info from a great hiking book called Afoot and Afield San Diego County by Jerry Schad. You'll walk until you get to another trail that intersects, and it's not marked. Follow it right on you'll be on the Big Laguna trail. Walk about 100 yards until you get to another trail intersection. It's the Pacific Crest trail and you'll follow it left. At the summit is a few radio and microwave antennas. Of interest was a laser target, standing about 6ft tall. I snapped a photo and uploaded it. When at the summit you'll appreciate the beautiful contrast of habitat as you pan around 360 degrees. It was especially windy this day, but very clear providing great views. Mount Stephenson and the large round white antennae towers can also be visited very near by. The views of the desert are amazing. This is an easy hike of about 4 miles out and back. Elevation gain 500 feet

This is hiking trail to Big Laguna Lake and Small Laguna Lake. Parking fee is $5 for day use.read more

We had a great time with Emil on a 1 hr ride through rain and snow flurries. The ride was safe,…read morewell paced and super fun. I would recommend wearing some waterproof pants/jacket if you are going during such weather. This is my new favorite activity! Can't wait to do it again.

I booked this adventure for 2 reasons: (1) to FINALLY get out of the house during this pandemic…read moreespecially since all we have been doing is working and we have been working more than ever since our job is considered 'essential', and (2) celebrate my boyfriends 30th birthday. This was my first time on a quad/ATV and my boyfriend has been riding dirt bikes since he was like 6yrs old. I love being outdoors & going on new adventures, and he loves riding ... so the mixture of those things i came upon this place. For birthdays I love and prefer creating memories instead of giving materialistic gifts. Example: For his 28th birthday I booked us a little personal speed boat in San Diego. Upon arrival check-in was easy, quick, and they gave us hand sanitizer so we felt assured. They had helmets and other PPE lined up and available for us to use, however we had brought our own (riding gloves, riding jerseys, riding DOT certified helmets, and googles) which they allow. Our guide Jorge was funny and very easy going. The ride overall was really fun!! During our ride our guide also took pictures of us and he took some awesome ones with amazing backdrops! The only complaint I have was that I only booked us the 1 hour ride. Next time we are doing the 2 hour ride for sure! And maybe the Big Bear location as well.

love this route, Its a wide trail with a moderate climb. There's a small parking area that can fit…read more4 cars, so its best to arrive early. This route is different from the Penny Pines start but both lead to the same peak and meet at the Garnet Peak trail sign.

This is a popular hiking trail to Garnet Peak via Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Elevation gain is…read more600-700 feet (moderate) and trail is well maintained. Great desert view along the way and panoramic views of Laguna Mountains and Anza Borrego at the peak.