Beautiful! The way it was easy but I found the way back more challenging haha probably because I was tired. The sky was beyond beautiful the day I went and it is now a core memory. Towards the end, there were beautiful wildflowers that I was not able to capture due to low storage on my phone :| read more

Great trail! We came out on a Sunday, and we were shocked that it wasn't too crowded! We saw plenty of bikers, runners, walkers, and a good amount of dogs! Definitely a dog friendly trail. This area was nice because there was a larger loop, but many trails within that loop where you could branch off to another trail. We did las Ramblas to the patriot trail, with the flag on top. I would say this is a very easy hike, but beautiful scenery! read more

Las Ramblas Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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This was a very pretty scenic hike in the San Juan Capistrano hills. Note: the address in yelp is incorrect. We went there and realized this was not correct. We actually used the All Trails app to locate the trailhead and to clearly define the trails. There are several trails in the area and it would be easy to get lost as not all the forks are marked. We took Camino Las Ramblas (East) until it dead ends into a cul-de-sac. The first part of this trail is relatively flat and easy, but we didn't stay on this trail for too long. We went left at the first main fork and eventually got to the Patriot trail. The first ascend on Patriot's trail was intimidating as it was steep, but it wasn't too bad. Thereafter, there was some ups and downs but not too hard. You just have to go slow and pace yourself. The views along the trail are nice and we stopped along the way to photograph the views. Once we reached the peak/flagpole, we enjoyed some more photographs and tried to trek it down a slightly different way but ended up back on the Patriot trail that we started on. It's a nice easy hike. We did 3.8 miles at a leisurely pace (one hour and forty minutes) and managed to enjoy a snack bar while enjoying the views while sitting on two lawn chairs. Not sure who brought them up but I imagine the sunset is nice from there! We did an elevation gain of about 800 ft. Definitely a scenic, relatively easy hike to check out! read more

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Great trail! Lists of beautiful scenery, animals and views! My kiddos walk this one with me. We love the patriot trail and we get a great little surprise with the flag pole at the end. Please do watch out for snakes. I've seen two on two occasions. One rattler! Also watch for mountain bike riders as they breeze through the trail. The one thing I do wish is that people would clean up their dog poop. There are several bags lining the trail. read more

Las Ramblas Trail - Views - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

**the address here is incorrect, type it into maps and you'll get to the right place** I was a little confused at first when it said the trail was less than a mile but it made sense once I got on the trail. This trail breaks off into several different trails. The parking lot is currently closed but there is street parking available about .25 mile down the road. Overall a nice trail, the rain caused some groves in the dirt so watch your ankle but lovely views of the hills and the oceans. Saw a few snakes, but it is nature. Definitely some hills and a nice incline but nothing crazy. I saw several families with middle aged kids out and about and they seemed to be fairing just fine. There are so many options here you could definitely spend a long time there. There is little to no shade cover depending on the time of day so make sure to wear a hat and sunscreen, I would recommend water too if you want to explore all the various trails. Fun spot, will go back again. read more

Great hike early morning is highly recommended. If going on a hot day. Great challenging hills read more

Very steep but the view was well worth the hike. Don't want to take the steep trail down. Take care of your knees.

This is a great hiking spot for everyone! We saw a lot of families, dogs, trail runners, solo hikers and cyclists. Location: I used the address from "All trails", got to the correct location Parking: Street parking, plenty of spots & it's free. Looks like they have a parking lot, but it was closed when I went. Dogs: Yes, on a leash. Although we did see many friendly, obedient dogs off leash walking next to their owners. Trails: There's a few of them that intersect with one another. Wide with plenty of room. There's some hills, some are more steep than others. Not shaded. We did 3 or 3.5 miles round trip. Equipment: I was able to hike this trail with regular gym shoes. I didn't feel I needed my hiking shoes or hiking poles. Scenery: There's a beautiful view of the ocean. There's also an American flag along the trail. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Great short hike! I'll need to bring a pen next time to sign the guest book. Incredible view at the flag :) read more

Las Ramblas Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

Love the scenic views and smooth trails for running at sunrise. Thankfully plenty of free parking at top of Las Ramblas, the road that leads to trail head. Easy to find Las Ramblas road off the 5 going south. Sorry to say trails look a lot alike, so it might not be hard to get "turned around" if not careful. Might be best to bring phone with Google Maps, for help if needed in returning to trail head. No trash or dog poop seen during 6 mile group run. Looked like Colorado or foothills in Europe. read more

Las Ramblas Trail - OC and SJC have great dog friendly open space. - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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I gotta hand it to my friend! Not only is she beautiful she has a knack for finding beautiful places!! For our latest adventure we were going to go pick Strawberries but lo and behold the patch near her place was closed on Easter! Since we couldn't do that my friend remembered seeing a video of a sea of wildflowers in full bloom (which was at Las Ramblas Trail) and after grabbing a bite we made the impromptu decision to go! The trail isn't too hard to find. Just drive down Camino Las Ramblas till you hit a dead end and that is where the trail begins! I'm not sure what this place looks like normally, but during this Spring California superbloom the trail is nothing short of being serene, secluded and romantic AF! The flowers here are all of the same variety (Mustard plant) so it looked like a vast expanse of yellow on top of yellow on top of yellow! We maybe hiked a mile or so of the trail RT (it goes for longer) because we were too busy having fun taking pictures, always in search for the perfect shot! The trail itself isn't difficult but it does have some steep inclines. In a nutshell, if you're into photography, nature, hiking or romantic places I'd implore you to go before Spring is gone or else you're missing out!! read more

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Dog friendly! First of all, do NOT PARK AT THE DIRECTIONS PROVIDED BY YELP! I made the mistake of parking there, and there is a small dirt loop trail where I got confused thinking it was part of this trail. Parking at the address listed added an extra unnecessary mile to our trip. Basically you just want to use that address as a reference, but then continue ALL THE WAY DOWN THE STREET - it dead ends right at the trail head. Excellent place for working out, many tough hills. Some good views, although this time of year was not as pretty as some of the other pictures, everything was dryer. No shade, so be cautious and make it an early morning hike. I did see quite a few people with off leash dogs (even though signs say they need to be on leash) so use caution there as well if you have a dog reactive dog. I wish I lived closer so I could give the hills a go. The main trail (Las Ramblas) is not marked for some reason but the smaller, off shoot trails are. Either way, fun place to explore and have a good adventure. read more

Las Ramblas Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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"I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow." --William Blake I have a confession to make. I am harboring a very nasty grudge against the Las Ramblas Trail. A. Very. Nasty. Grudge. See, Cathy S. and I signed up to do... what we thought was... a fun and friendly casual 5k. We had no idea of the monstrosity we were about to face off against in Las Ramblas. ROUND 1: (DING!!) Ingrid V. & Cathy S. VS. Las Ramblas Trail: FIGHT! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/las-ramblas-trail-san-juan-capistrano?select=6bFK7PSnVhiD9tlHtkLg5w#6bFK7PSnVhiD9tlHtkLg5w Everyone takes off running. Why are my legs already burning 3 minutes into this hike / run? And why in God's name are the first two inclines (according to my hiking app) an average of more than 20% grade? Seriously? We are now at the end of the pack. Two inclines done. Effing FINALLY. We can breathe now, right? HAH! Las Ramblas flips me the proverbial bird as I round the corner to see this twat of a hill: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/las-ramblas-trail-san-juan-capistrano?select=6bFK7PSnVhiD9tlHtkLg5w#098p5IAqv0hA9BueIngrMQ That would be Patriot Hill. It thinks its all cool with its 35%-45% uphill grade. Worst 10th of a mile I have ever met in my entire life. At one point my app tells me the grade on this thing is 48.7%. Is that even safe? Shouldn't that come with a warning from the damned surgeon general or something? Screw this hill. Anyway, I don't even know how Cathy and I got up, but we did. A few four letter-words later, I looked up and saw this: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/las-ramblas-trail-san-juan-capistrano?select=6bFK7PSnVhiD9tlHtkLg5w#jUiJacuRMAcrsj2NZVzKxA Cool huh? Actually it got cooler when I turned around. We went up so high we saw the ocean. THE BLOODY OCEAN. Dana Point Harbor to be exact: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/las-ramblas-trail-san-juan-capistrano?select=6bFK7PSnVhiD9tlHtkLg5w#wu5qQrT77xW146mljUuZBw The rest of the 5k was less eventful. There were still some rough spots and steep hills, but they were all chump change compared to Patriot Hill. The views were awesome for the length of the run: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/las-ramblas-trail-san-juan-capistrano?select=6bFK7PSnVhiD9tlHtkLg5w#7MD-7Z4ZsULyO6DG3aZFdA So why the grudge if we completed it? Well, we really didn't complete it. The race officials let us cheat a bit and shaved off half a mile for us, opting to let us bypass the "up & back" to the flag poll along the ridge of Flag Poll Hill. Our result? A bit over an hour and 10 minutes. I was dead last... with the last of the main pack coming in around the 50 minute mark. Plus, we got a freebie half mile cheat!! Needless to say, I have it out for this trail. I've been hiking some pretty rough trails lately, and getting in better shape. Next time I meet up with Patriot Hill, I hope to quote a certain Nancy Sinatra song. OH RIGHT... My like vs dislike list... LIKE: 1. Incredible views 2. Ass-kicking workout 3. Easy to get to, near the 5 fwy 4. Great parking (when they have the gate open) HATE: 1. Patriot Hill 2. Patriot Hill 3. Patriot Hill 4. Patriot Hill ...to be continued... read more

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I randomly found this place around the time I found out I was pregnant in 2018. This is my go-to place whenever I need to clear my mind. It's a very long trail, I never timed how long it takes but it is long!! I don't think there's any water fountains or restrooms. I usually pop a squat behind a bush when there's no one around Lol! read more

Fun trail for walking, hiking, biking, or running. Lots of irresponsible dog owners on this trail so watch your step. There are some good inclines on Patriot Trail and Harbor View Trail is exactly what it says it is. I would like to see the parking lot at the trailhead opened up. It's always empty and closed. As another reviewer said, there is no shade. So if you're planning on a longer outing, be sure to protect your skin. read more

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Very nice, quiet, hilly trail. When you get to the top of the Patriot trail, it's a reward you will find - the US flag, a mailbox, and a cute tree branch full of cuties. The view at the top is awesome...you get of the ocean and the mountains. I must say one thing great about this trail - ample parking. No need to worry about the parking. read more

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Loved this trail not crowded during the week.. trail map confusing at first .. past the gates so straight and towards the left first.. put in few miles much narrower before figuring out we weren't going the right way. There are marked signs for patriot hill and harbor view trails . Patriot hill is no joke ! Pretty flowers hawks animals even snakes!! Ran into two including a rattlesnake so beware!!!! At the top of patriot hill is a cute mailbox and flag w a memorial and great view of the ocean read more

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The good about Las Ramblas Trail: -panoramic views of Dana Point, San Clemente, Saddleback Mountain -variety of trail inclines to suit the beginner to the advanced hiker/cycler -after 9am, very quiet and peaceful The bad: -no garbage cans -due to no garbage cans, dog owners feel free to leave their dogs crap everywhere -no shade -no trail maps If you are bringing your dog, you will pass some poop bag dispensers on the road as you drive towards the trailhead. They are on your left. PLEASE take some, and when they are full you can throw them away in the same area! The only reason I give it three stars is because of the Patriot Trail. When you are driving north on the 5 by San Juan Capistrano, there is a flag pole on the hill above the highway. The trail to get there starts at the end of Las Ramblas, and at the flag pole are some amazing views. Unfortunately due to the lack of trail maps, this is one that you will have to find on your own. Good luck! Don't forget to bring water. read more

This was a great early morning workout. The view was beautiful and it was so peaceful. My husband and I sat at the top and enjoyed a small picnic. read more

I really enjoyed this trail. My friend and I hiked it yesterday and were happy it was not closed. The parking situation can get a little crazy in the morning when we went though; we had to park almost a mile away from the trailhead. Lots of good hills and multiple trail choices if you want it to be longer or shorter. There are also lots of people biking really fast so you have to watch out. Wish there were doggie bags so people would pick up after their animals, too. However, all in all a great hike and would do it again. read more

This is a great Trail for a walk with friends and family or to push yourself with a run or a bike. It mostly a moderate Trail with just one hill or so. We went with a few preteens and a 5 month pregnant woman and everyone did well. The views are great of the ocean! Google maps did lead us astray and we had to continue up he road til it dead ends to find the actual Trail. There is street parking. read more

Pup friendly! Parking was easy enough and the trail is as hard as you want to make it but overall moderate. There's a nice overlook of the ocean from a couple of different points on the trail. Just make sure to bring a zip up. When we started out it was pretty hot but by the time we got to the overlook it was an overcast sky and it had gotten pretty windy. read more

Las Ramblas Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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This trail is beautiful! You can go off and make your own or follow the main trail! ANDD you can bring your furr baby :)

My gym squad and I hiked this awesome trail yesterday - me for the first time! I have to tell you - IT IS TOTALLY RAD!!! The hills are emerald green from the recent rains,and it is nothing short of GLORIOUS out there on them there hills! Take a hike TODAY, if you're reading this review. You will be pleasantly rewarded, I promise! We started from the San Clemente end of the trail; where Los Mares dead ends. We took an immediate left turn and hiked the steep, steep hill - that grabbed me by the heart and lungs! It was such a rush, but you can do it! Just watch your footing because if you should slip in the mud, you will take a barrel roll - all the way down to the bottom! Luckily, my gym squad and I are as sure-footed as mountain goats, so none of us fell down in the mud. Be sure to bring a bottle of water for your hike, and wear a hat and sunglasses. We met some friendly gals and their happy doggies on the way up to the flagpole. The day was sunny and warm, but a thick fog bank was making it's way inland, and by the time we got up to the flagpole, it was chilly with a cool wind. Someone had removed the US flag already - there is a big storm moving in on Friday. And the hikers notebook had been removed as well. Rainstorms and paper don't mix - we get it. But the cute,little Valentine's Day tree was still up, fluttering the decorations in the wind, which were secured with twisty ties and it looked nice. Wouldn't it be a cute thing to take those decorations down and put up Saint Patty's Day decorations on this humble little tree? That's the plan, Stan! I want to keep the happy spirit of Patriot Hill alive, and I've made plans to replenish what was not found! The hike loop is 4.23 miles and parts of it are quite steep, but the views will take your breath away, and the clean, fresh air will fill your body with hope and gratitude for the raw beauty that our little quirky town of San Clemente still preserves. Do all you can to keep San Clemente pure, raw and beautiful! Here are some helpful reminders when you decide to do the hike; 1. Do tell someone that you are hiking this trail; when you're departing and when you expect to be home. 2. Wear sturdy walking shoes that you don't mind if they get a bit muddy. Wear layers so that if you get too hot or too cold, you can keep your body temp warm. 3. Do NOT post your plans ahead of time on social media. There are evil people who might want to do you harm if you're out there all alone and by yourself. It is quite lonely during the day out there, and there's no telling what sort of people go back there. After you do your hike, then post all about it. 4. Bring along a bottle of water, and a protein bar or a snack. You could be so mesmerized by how beautiful it is back there that you will want to stay out there, and time will slip past and you will build your hunger. 5. Wear sunscreen, and wear your sunglasses. 6. Bring a sweat rag and pack your cell phone. There is cell service out there. Fanny packs are all the rage these days, and you can buy one last minute at Tilly's if you don't have one. 7. Don't leave your trash out there. Pack it out if you make it. 8. Bring a friend along with you, if at all possible. Have a great time, and ENJOY YOUR HIKE!!!! PEACE/*/LOVE/*/KEEP SAN CLEMENTE BEAUTIFUL!!! read more

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LOVED this hike...we lucked out with the perfect weather, accompanied by a nice breeze. My hubby and I set out with our 2 dogs around 8:30am. We drove up from San Diego, or would have started earlier, as we knew it was scheduled to be a hot day. We started at the trailhead at the end of the the street, hiked to the flagpole, signed the guest book, and returned the way we came in. This is definitely a hike for the intermediate exerciser...and like all the reviews before me, Patriot Hill was a killer. We had to go up on our tippy toes...I think the incline is about 45 degrees, which doesn't sound like much until you try it. That was the toughest hill and there were 4-5 others (including the way back) to make sure you kept your heart rate up:) Very enjoyable and we'll be back. read more

The landscape is pretty brown this time of year, but still a fun and beautiful hike. Dog and bike friendly, with many trails of varying levels. There is one path with the most intense incline--do it. It's tough but a shortcut to a scenic view of San Juan Cap and its neighboring cities. What sets it apart: There's a trail that leads you to a flag pole. From there, a bench for you to sit, reflect and check your cellphone service (T-mobile and Verizon checks out). By the flagpole is a notable mailbox which contains a few notebooks. Take it, read it, and leave comment about how beautiful your day is going. Breathe. read more

I used to do this trail at least once a week when I lived in San Clemente. There are a few different levels of difficulty getting to the flag, many steep hills, so plan accordingly. My sister and I just took 5 tweens/teens & a 21 yr old on the hike today....(and we went the hard way!) I'm proud to say, they all made it without complaints. read more

Las Ramblas Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

If you like to run hills, check out Las Ramblas. It's also a wonderful place to go hiking. Easy parking

This site makes for a good training location for hikes and some good old exercise. It is a nice walk sunrise and sunsets. The views are amazing. The only downside is people tossing their waste bags along the trail. If your dog is going to lighten their load, train them to go off the side then. Otherwise, what's the purpose of using the bag and then leaving it. Just saying. read more

Las Ramblas Trail - Sunset at Patriot Trail is amazing - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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Came here yesterday for a hike, and this has been one of my favorite trails yet. The markers are really clear, the trails are nice get work out because of the incline! I was able to see two hawks and it was so green out. Although, we got side tracked and ended up hiking through the local neighborhood instead (LOL) it was still a great time! read more

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This trail is amazing. We love to hike here. You'll see stunning ocean views, Catalina Island, San Clemente pier. Now and then I will see a family of deers right across my home since this place just across my home. read more

I'm reviewing this as a running spot not a dog walking trail... I was so excited to discover a challenging trail to run so close to home (I live in DP). It really helped me improve my speed and in Jan/Feb has been really perfect running weather. If you're doing more than 4 miles I'd suggest you wear a water belt or bring a water bottle. This obviously isn't a beach path. It's hill after hill after hill... but if you want to get your heart rate up these trails will certainly do that for you. read more

I have nothing but great things to say about this hike. This is my 18th hike since October and this one is my favorite hike! I came here because I heard it had a lot of hills. It sure does! Super awesome workout and yes... just like everyone else says, patriot hill is rough! They should probably change the name to patriot hell! But it's super cool when you get up there. The little tree was decorated for valentine's day. Make sure to open up the mailbox and grab a pen and the notebook from inside it and write notes to other hikers. It was fun to read what other people write! Totally dog friendly and for the first time I didn't bring my dog but I've got to go back now. She would love this one! Our recent rain did CA good because everything was so green and beautiful. I tried to capture the beauty I saw today with photos but photos didn't do this hike justice. I was at total peace today. And it's not too busy at all. At least when we went! read more

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There is a great little trail here at the very end of camino los mares (literally drive to the end and park). This is a perfect hike for intermediate hikers (it starts out with one looong slow incline, followed by a few tough hills), it'll take about 2 hours if you're casually walking like we do, it's about 5 miles. We love doing this one after work, great views of the sunset over SC, SJC and the Dana point harbor. Bring water, no bathrooms! read more

Awesome awesome trail.. So pleasant and so peaceful ... Feel like to be lost sometime but nope .. It all connected .. No need to get afraid if alone hiking or biking.. Early morning is the best to get fresh air and to enjoy weather .. Good.. Looking forward to be here again .. read more

Its a nice run or walk and a great place for dogs - be careful of coyotes and snakes in season They aren't a big problem, just something to keep in mind. It is a nature park after all. The views of Dana Point Harbor and surrounding hills and ocean are awesome. RE a couple previous reviews. Its not the dogs that are a problem. Its the out of control mountain bikers careening down the slopes and onto the trails at high rates of speed with little room for error when people are present. A lot of these bikers are dangerous - and many are old enough to know better. Worse, they are constantly creating new trails and defacing a public park (a criminal act). Many are courteous and responsible and coexist with pedestrians and dogs, but too many believe that this is "their" mountain biking facility/thrill ride and people and dogs use it at their peril. Five stars but for them. read more

I love this trail except the trails aren't marked very good so I got lost. Other then that not very crowded, dogs are allowed.

This trail is awesome! I would recommend bring layers even if you are hiking in the middle of the day, it started to get chilly as the clouds rolled in. Also make sure you get a good look at the map before embarking or even better take a picture that way you'll be able to find your destination. I decided to vear off the main trail and make my way up to patriot trail where there is a flag and apparently a very beautiful sunset if you're there at the right time. Sometimes there is a bit of elevation but otherwise very good trail if you want to visit the mountains and the beach in the same hour!! read more

Las Ramblas Trail - A bit of the trail with the clouds rolling in. - Hiking Near Me - San Juan Capistrano, California

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tough trails, steep hills, great views. a good place for a conditioned athlete. not the best for family or small kids but I loved the training since I am competitive by nature. read more

Beautiful scenery. Plenty of options for distance and elevation.