I absolutely love Old Poway Park! It's located in a really nice, safe neighborhood and has such a…read morecalm, peaceful atmosphere. It's the perfect spot for family picnics, bike rides, or just spending a relaxing afternoon outside. There are also some great, yummy restaurants nearby, which makes it easy to turn your visit into a full day out. I do photography as a hobby, and this is one of my favorite locations to shoot--the scenery is beautiful, so much variety, and has so much character. Overall, it's a charming, relaxing place that I always enjoy coming back to.

This is a fantastic park. It is large, there is plenty of parking on the street or nearby lots as…read morelong as it is not a Saturday morning with the farmers market and softball tournaments at the other park across the street. The park has some fantastic old architecture and there are plaques telling you about some of it. There is a giant grass area, with nice large trees, some shade, some picnic areas, and a section that you can reserve for large parties. There is a hamburger joint on the premises as well. There is a giant gazebo where a young musician was singing her heart out. There is a working old train, you can pay to take a ride around the park. Great spot for photography too, see attached photos.

Veterans park is in Poway steps away from Old Poway park…read more Street parking or parking lots nearby. This is a small park but it is a nice memorial. There are flags from the different branches along with several little plaques with different information and some have audio recordings that you can listen to. The ground has bricks with words, information, etc. There are steps up to the plaques and flags but there is also a ramp. Pictures attached.

This is a small little memorial park in Old Poway. I enjoyed reading all of the bricks and…read morememorials. The cool, unique part about this little memorial is that each service has a flag and at the base is a recording with the service info. For example, under the Marine Corps flag is a small square brick pillar with an emblem and a few buttons to hear about the Marine Corps. It tells you the history from 1775 to today and a few more options. Nice little touch to the memorial. If you're in the area stop by and check it out.

If you need help finding this place read this review!! I got lost about 3 times because there's no…read moresigns or directions online anywhere. There is a small parking lot if you drive down Cara way, the parking lot is in front of the area where you'll see a gate, and a path under the bridge. Although if you want a little more of a workout park by Wendy's and walk on down. So I mistakenly went on the left dirt side that went on the bridge, I walked down a path in complete forest trying to find this place which was an adventure in itself. Lots of odd finds, like car batteries, trash, and whatever else kids are up to these days. Then ended back up on the bridge and went down a steep path under the bridge which lead to a pretty nice hike that went over a couple bridges with running water. It was a beautiful hike but I was still trying to find the garden..... 4 miles later and almost willing to give up, we finally found the garden. When you are at the area where you can park you will see a gate on the right or a dirt/concrete path to the left. GO RIGHT, go through the gate and walk on down. You'll see an art wall on your way down. I originally did not think this is where it was because google maps showed a large building, but that's exactly where it is. As you keep going down the path you'll see tons of trees and a gazebo. Oh wow was this place breathtaking, so many memorials of crime victims. Cara knotts area was the largest and it was amazing to see how kept up it was. Her father that also passed had a bench next to her as well. It was a really peaceful and beautiful experience but also very emotional. A great stop for a hike (that I didn't prepare for) or to visit the beautiful garden. Hope this review helps you find it!

I have a connection to this place and love coming here to walk the dog. We try and leave a toy for…read moreothers at the site and give respects to those taken too early from us.

A few weeks ago my cousin and I were looking for a chill way to spend the day. Our plan was to…read morelook for a place without a lot of people, hike for a while... nothing too challenging, but to get some exercise. We also wanted to bring a picnic for after our hike. Goodan Ranch was suggested to us by a family member, as he does regular mountain biking there. Anyway, getting there was relatively easy. We spent a good deal of time on a small, but neatly paved road that lead a ways off a highway to a gravel lot. I know that they do stargazing and other events there, so I imagine the lot can get crowded, but that day, there was ample parking available. I liked that there were several signs mapping the trails around the area. There is a large loop, larger loop and a few ways to cut back for a shorter hikes. The paths are mostly open, providing space for bikers or horses. We only saw a couple bikers and a couple hikers during the time that we were there. I enjoyed the green pastures and variety of colorful wildflowers. It was really quite beautiful. There were a couple of picnic tables. When we had finished our hike, we grabbed our cooler from the car and we were able walk back down a short ways to the picnic table. Another plus is that the restrooms near the parking area were very clean. I look forward to heading back for a stargazing event!

We reserved the Goodan Ranch Nature Center for a short meditation retreat. The rangers were…read morefriendly and accommodating and our attendees enjoyed walking around the preserve during the breaks.

The Cleveland National Forest is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. My niece drove…read moreme through part of the forest on the way to Three Sisters Falls. The mountain views were indescribable. Pictures do not due it justice. The roads were a little scary, narrow with big drop-offs on one side. I'm glad I wasn't driving lol! If you get the chance to check it out, I highly recommend you do! If you want to hike, be sure to use proper shoes and bring sunscreen and lots of water.

I love coming out here! Usually it's just driving through, but one of the most memorable hikes I've…read moredone is Garnet Peak Trail. It was just challenging enough to feel like we earned it, but was still enjoyable. We had a picnic on the top and the whole peak to ourselves for a picnic as the clouds rolled in below. Make a plan before you go, many areas have a parking fee, easily payable online. AllTrails lists a lot of trails in the area that I've bookmarked for hikes this Fall/Winter. I stay towards the beach more in the summer months, but I look forward to updating this review when I explore new parts of this beautiful forest!

Great area to go hiking with the dog. The trails are wide, clear, and well maintained. Plus, the…read moreview from the top is awesome!

If you live in the neighborhood, this is a convenient spot for hiking or jogging. There is very…read morelittle shade on the trail, but there are some picnic tables (not that I've ever seen anyone use them). It's usually quiet, so some people walk their dogs off-leash, as a heads up. The place could be better maintained because there is a fair amount of dog poop and crushed broken glass on the trail. Regardless, it's nice San Diego has so many open areas.

This is a quaint neighborhood trail. It's not intended to be a highly trafficked and rated hiking…read moretrail. According to the trailhead signage, the Chicarita Creek Self Guided Neighborhood trail was originally used by Native Americans. It is/was funded partially by the Morning Creek Elementary PTA and the Sabre Springs Homeowners Association. The trail is maintained by Boy Scout Troop #109. This is a leisurely suburban trail that meanders alongside Chicarita Creek. There are some sections that are graded, but nothing difficult as it is very common to see parents pushing children in strollers. There are lots of trees along this trail for shade and often a slight breeze blowing, which compliments the sounds of the nearby running water. There are a few informational posts and benches scattered along this short trail that passes right behind an apartment complex. Depending on the time of year, you can see ducks and other birds enjoying the water here. And the water flow can range from a peaceful babbling brook to something resembling more like a river (after some rainfall). So yeah, this trail is a great hidden gem locals visit for a relaxing walk to feel closer to nature (in the middle of a suburb). Haha.

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.

Third year attending the Poway Rodeo. It is SO MUCH FUN! The announcers are great and pump up the…read morecrowd. So many great cowboy and cowgirls! Bull riding, barrel racing, buck riding and more! It was adorable to see a 6 year old barrel racing! The kids riding the sheep was also entertaining. Lots of vendors from food to merchandise. Plenty to shop for including cowboy hats & clothing. They have a kids zone with inflatables. They also have another separate kids zone with shaded bleachers- separate from general admission. We love the kids zone tickets for the shade, meals included (this year it was Raising Canes), drinks (alcohol also) & face painting. I love that they support the Ronald McDonald house and love that they have someone sing the National Anthem every year. We will be back next year!

We went to the Poway rodeo last month for the first time. This was the first time it was held…read moresince before the Rona. So, I think technically it had almost been 3 years. Anyways, it was ok. I am not a huge rodeo fan but my friend had some extra tickets. The place was way too busy. Because of the years off everyone wanted to go on this Saturday night. Their was not enough seats for everyone and it is open bench seating. The area for the rodeo isn't a big lot and it was very crowded. Overall, too much alcohol, dirt and sponsors for my taste. I get the alcohol and dirt, that's what rodeo's are about. But the sponsors riding out between each event, plus more times, and the lack of seating was no fun. We had seats up high but were so packed in that it wasn't comfortable. I know they were sold out but maybe re-evaluate the numbers on what it takes to be "sold out"