San Diego, CA

outdoors

Torrey Pines Golf Course

Between the shimmering blue water of the Pacific and the unrelenting drone of I-15, hikers can find long stretches of pristine beaches, lush riparian strips nestled into the city’s vast complex of canyons, the famous Torrey pines atop the bluffs of Del Mar, and numerous intertidal lagoons that also feature world-class bird watching.

CA, United States

outdoors

Batiquitos Lagoon

San Diego has lost approximately 90% of its former wetlands, but the intertidal lagoon and marsh at Batiquitos Lagoon remains the best preserved in the area. This smooth, easy 3.2 mile hike is inviting for hikers of all ages and skill levels. It’s also a haven for dog walkers.

CA, United States

outdoors

Mount Woodson Trail

Alternatively known by the misnomer “Potato Chip Rock,” this grueling climb through a wilderness of granitic boulders rewards the hiker with staggering views across the western half of the county as well as a chance to pose for the classic shot atop Potato Chip Rock. This strenuous 6.6 mile hike is not recommended for beginners.

CA, United States

outdoors

Santa Margarita River

This hidden gem in Fallbrook is a popular local hotspot that escapes the notice of the rest of the county due to its relative remoteness. Here, you can enjoy the last undiverted and undammed river in Southern California as well as beautiful swimming holes, park-like oak woodlands, and even a dab of late fall color from the numerous cottonwoods and sycamores lining the river.

Hidden Meadows, CA

outdoors

Engelmann Oak Trail

Sprawling Daley Ranch is generous with its natural beauty throughout its boundaries, but no section is more beautiful than the Engelmann Oak Loop. Here, the views, oak woodlands, and a stretch of rare Engelmann oaks combine for one of the most scenic, peaceful, and rewarding hikes in the inland region.

Poway, CA

outdoors

Iron Mountain Trail

Perhaps as popular as Mt. Woodson and Cowles Mountain, this moderate summit hike invites devotees from all over the county. While the terrain and views are similar to those found on Mt. Woodson, the easier route makes it more suitable for novice hikers and is a perfect place to start for those looking to cultivate a taste for peak-bagging. Bonus points for the viewfinder at the summit.

CA, United States

outdoors

El Cajon Mountain

This rugged beast of a hike is not just one of the best – it’s one of the hardest. The steeply inclined trail runs up, down, up, down, and finally back up again before reaching the panoramic summit views before inviting you to climb down, up, down, up, and then finally down. It’s an exhausting journey that sounds a lot more like the cheat codes to an 80’s Nintendo game, but the views and sense of accomplishment are hard to top.

CA, United States

outdoors

Cedar Creek Falls

Although the falls have been overshadowed by tragedy and red tape during recent years, the fact remains that the falls and the San Diego River Gorge within which they are found are one of San Diego’s iconic and essential inland hikes. Here, you can enjoy a descent into a spectacular gorge across San Diego’s major river before reaching the cool shade of a grotto into which Cedar Creek flows. This is also a strenuous hike not recommended for beginners.

San Diego, CA

outdoors

Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail

The entirety of Penasquitos Canyon runs several miles from the inlet of Penasquitos Lagoon to I-15 at Knott Grove, but it is the section between Black Mountain Road and the waterfall that shines brightest. You will pass through dense riparian vegetation that is so lush that it sometimes gets confused for land in Florida. After the cool shade of oak trees and sycamores, you get to enjoy a cascading waterfall spilling over an outcrop of volcanic rock.