Having lived in San Diego for so long, I honestly don't know why it took me this long to do this…read morehike. I finally got the permit online (definitely download it before you arrive since service can be spotty) and decided to go for it. I went in early May and started the trail around 8am, which turned out to be a great decision. The trail was practically empty at that time, and the downhill views were absolutely beautiful. I even saw two rattlesnakes before 9am, so definitely stay alert while hiking. At several points I had to remind myself I was still in San Diego and not somewhere in a huge national park. Once I got near the bottom, I did lose track of the trail a little and it was SOS, so having the AllTrails map downloaded beforehand was really helpful. It took me a little over an hour to reach the waterfall, and there were only two other people there at the time, which made it feel really peaceful and private. The water felt AMAZING after the hike down. There were so many fish in the water, and the whole area was honestly so pretty. By the time I started heading back around 10am, I noticed a lot more people arriving at the falls. The hike back up wasn't terrible, but the sun definitely makes it much harder on the return. I was very happy to make it back to the parking lot by around 11:30am. I would definitely bring lots of water, sunscreen, and some snacks.

If you are a San Diego hiker and haven't done this hike- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???…read more And for those of you who see these photos and think damn I need to go do that, please be aware of the temperature because it is dangerously hot down there at lower temperatures than in other areas. The hike goes down into a canyon and the heat settles down there. Even if it's not as hot as you think coming up can be extremely dangerous. Every year I hear about somebody dying from heat stroke on that hike so don't take it lightly. I always check the weather on the actual trail using the AllTrails app. I saw that the weather out there was max 65° that day and I was like hell yeah. The hike really isn't that difficult, 3 miles down and then 3 miles back up. Lots of nice switchbacks, and there are a few sun shelters for shade. The views are gorgeous all along the trail. I've done this hike, probably 20 times over the years. It's the best in the spring and in the fall. In the winter it's way too cold. The reward for this hike is the gorgeous rock bowl and waterfall that the locals call Devils Punchbowl. This past Thursday when we did this hike, there were a lot of young folks at the Punchbowl when we got there. Some of the guys were climbing up and jumping into the water. I would not recommend it, even if the waterfall is still flowing that water is not safe to swim in. In the fall, the waterfall doesn't flow anymore after being dried out over the brutal summer, but the trees at the bottom of the canyon turn a beautiful gold color. One of the few places in San Diego you can actually experience fall.

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!

This place is beautiful! I used the free entry weekend during the 4th of July holiday to visit…read more On normal days, you'd have to park entrance fee, but for this weekend, it's free. You can check their website to get other dates when it's free to visit. I chose to run there instead of driving in because I heard that they have very scenic trails and they sure were! There were 2 trails from the main park and each one lets you go down closer to the water while enjoying spectacular view. The trails are short (about 2-3 miles round trip each) and it's basically dirt road/packed sand all the way. The gift shop is a delight and highly recommend stopping by to get a trinket or two and also get your National Park passport stamped!

Nice park with great facilities. I love it here, but, unfortunately, it wasn't such a great…read moreexperience this time. The main reason for this visit was to entertain my 19 year old history buff grandson, but it just didn't move him. I'm sure attributable to his mood more than the park.

I recall this place from years ago! I loved their surf and turf and mango salsa at the time. I came…read moreback and it was not the memory I had. They had construction going on when we went, the street parking and their personal lot were closed off Anyway, the burrito has some overdone shrimp and beef, where the shrimp was a bit tough and the beef a bit dry. The flavor and sauces were correct, just the protein texture were off. When we had their mango salsa it looked like it had been sitting there for a while since the mango did not have a more firm and brighter sheen to the color. Even with the things I mentioned, it still was better than a lot of other places I've had. Flavor profile great, texture was mid.

The food was very disappointing. I first came here in 2016 and it was one of the best but came here…read more again a few nights ago and was just so disappointed. All our food was cold. Everything had tasted as if it was cooked hours ago and not even reheated. The fries, carne asada and corn all tasted old. Used to be a really good spot to come, hope it can improve so I can come back.

LEGOLAND really understands kids. There are things for them to do everywhere, so the fun goes…read morebeyond the rides. The whole park feels thoughtfully designed for its audience, and the Halloween decorations added even more to explore. We went for our son's sixth birthday with our almost-2-year-old. It was a seriously hot day, but staying at the Castle Hotel helped us make it work. The little one went back for a nap while my husband and oldest stayed at the park all day. Another hotel perk: we got in an hour early just by showing our hotel key card. Such an easy process and a great way to get more out of the day. Also, there is a customers relations to the right, in front of the entrance. We got a birthday button for my son there. We fit in the main things our 6-year-old wanted to do, but looking back, two days would have been better for a more relaxed pace. There's so much to catch their attention between attractions that you'll want time for those discoveries too. A really fun birthday visit, even with the heat!

Highly recommended for toddler-aged kids! They really have everything thought out for parents and…read morechildren. We loved that the hotels themselves had a ton of themed play areas that our kiddo could enjoy before and after visiting the park. There were also cool activities like the in-room treasure hunt, after-hours kiddie dance club, and the surprise Halloween character visits that made the whole experience super fun. The property is well maintained and all the amenities made our stay worth the cost. With the hotel stay, breakfast is included for everyone on the reservation, as is early access to the park. We loved that we did not have to start the day worrying about breakfast! However, we were disappointed that upon entering the park early, none of the rides were open, so we still had to wait anyway. The early access really only allows you early access to the gift shop (where the customizable items aren't yet available anyway). I would have given our visit 5 stars, but our room was SO dusty (like every surface covered in a thick layer of dust) when we arrived and I was disappointed that I had to ask them specifically to dust our room. Our kiddo was super enamored by the themed room though, and having extra bunk/trundle beds was a huge plus. They also provide complimentary juices and waters in the room, which they refreshed everyday. Finally, another huge plus was complimentary electric car charging, which was a nice surprise since we were not close to a charging station. We are already planning our next trip back when our second one is old enough to enjoy!