Tired of hiking in a crowd? Looking for the best hikes in San Diego County? New to the area? Read on!
Best Hiking Trail with a Beach: Ho Chi Minh Trail
If you want a beach day but crave a little adventure along the way, then visit Ho Chi Minh trail, La Jolla without a delay. Listed as “Saigon Trail” on Google maps, this hike is short but steep and slippery and not for the faint of heart. This is not the best dog friendly hike in San Diego. I would recommend that small children stay home for this one too!
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Whether you’re walking on the edge of a drop or rappelling with rope in hand, this little hike will keep you entertained. At times we were a little nervous traversing the trail because of a steep ledge with a sharp dropoff, but going barefoot and hugging the wall closely gave us enough grip to get through. At the end of the trail, there is a short rappelling section that is maybe 20-30 feet long. It looks intimidating, but isn’t too bad – just be sure to keep your feet firmly planted and grip well!
The trail spits you out just south of Black’s Beach, which provides a huge benefit not only from the scenery but the access road you can take up. When we first did this hike, it was a little busy and intimidating, so we opted to walk up the access road, rather than hike Ho Chi Minh again. If you’re interested in celebrities or architecture, Alicia Key’s famous Razor House is visible from the trail. (Please be responsible and go here at your own risk – my short summary is not intended to keep you from harm.)
Best Hike Near San Diego’s Downtown: Cowles Mountain
Probably the most popular hike in San Diego (for good reason), Cowles Mountain is just a 20-minute drive from downtown. Switchbacks take you up to the peak in a 45 minute to one-hour trek. While fully exposed to the sun for the duration of the hike, the path does offer great views of Lake Murray and the surrounding area.
From the top, a clear day will provide ocean views or even a glimpse of Tijuana! The downside to this trail is that it is busier than most of the other hikes on this list. Parking can be scarce and the trail up can get a little crowded, but the peak is worth it. Looking for a crazy workout and the benefit of more parking? The backside of Cowles has a wider path that is partially asphalt and partially hiking trails.
This side is pretty steep because it has fewer switchbacks to help with the grade. If you want to skip the crowds and still get to the top, you can park and climb up this side of the mountain. A link to the trailhead on Google Maps can be found here. Beware! As mentioned, the back of the mountain is steeper and attracts more trail runners. If you’re craving a good workout, then climb on.
Best Scenic Walk: Boiling Springs Ravine
If you’re looking to get out on a San Diego walking trail, but don’t want anything strenuous, sweaty, or stressful, a pleasant walk in Boiling Spring Ravine is perfect for you. While the name is quite intimidating, the walk itself is anything but. If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity after cruising through the Sunrise Highway, stop here and you will find yourself in a quiet pasture complete with a herd of cattle.
Be mindful and keep your ears open, because some of the trails here are popular with bikers. Almost totally flat and with varying trails, this walk is accessible for all fitness levels. A loop takes you in a sweeping circle that passes by Big Laguna Lake. There are many trails to explore here, and while I have only been on a few, it feels like I have just scratched the surface.
A quick look at Google Maps shows countless paths that interconnect, providing one of the best walking trails in San Diego. Pro-tip! If you are looking for one of the best spots to fly a drone in San Diego, this is one of them!
Best Hike with a View: Stonewall Peak
While it is true that the journey is more important than the endpoint, sometimes it can be nice to finish a hike with a picture-perfect view. Stonewall Peak in Julian, just off the 79, offers an amazing finish to a moderately difficult hike. With little tree coverage, trails and switchbacks culminate in a set of rocky steps to the top of the peak.
A full 360-degree panorama awaits you at the top, with views of Cuyamaca State Park, mountaintops in Anza Borrego, and Lake Cuyamaca, making this one of the best hikes in San Diego. Despite the amazing views, when I went, it was not too crowded. We saw a few groups, but because the peak is fenced in, some patience is required when summiting.
If you’re afraid of heights, the steps leading up to the top may be a little intimidating. My advice is to be patient and let everyone off first, so you have a clear path up and you can hug the mountain.
Best Hike with a Water Feature: Kitchen Creek Falls
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While the Three Sisters Trail is infamous for regular med-evacs that need to be called due to unprepared hikers and scorching weather, it is one of the great San Diego hiking trails with waterfalls. Often, park rangers decide to close the parking lot and trailhead – likely due to extreme heat. If you do opt for Three Sisters, be safe, bring water, and be sure to check with local authorities before you leave. (Update, 11/17/2021 – While Three Sisters looks to be open, many have noted that there is no water at the falls).
Though the pools and waterfalls are excellent, in its place goes Kitchen Creek Falls. An easier trek, this route lacks the spectacular waterfalls of Three Sisters but rewards hikers with pools to take a dip in (depending on the season) and decidedly smaller crowds and foot traffic. Bring your bathing suit and enjoy a peaceful soak in the sun as hard-earned rewards for your work. At about 3.5 miles, depending on where you start, this hike is not too strenuous, although it is mostly in direct sun.
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While there are two ways to get to the water, I have only done the one starting off of Kitchen Creek Road. Some people may opt to start at Boulder Oaks Campground, which adds about a mile to the hike and takes you under the 8 freeway.
Best Winter Hike: Cuyamaca Peak
The second highest peak in San Diego, and one that still displays wounds from the 2003 Cedar Fire, Cuyamaca Peak is a challenging, fun, cold winter hike. An impromptu trip in February led me and two roommates on what I thought would be a warm, moderate hike. I am very glad that I passed on wearing my shorts, because about a third of the way up, we found the path almost unrecognizable due to the snowfall.
Despite the lack of planning on my part, we had a successful and beautiful hike to the top. While there was no visibility and the winds were battering us without the tree cover, the experience of driving from weather in the 60s and 70s to decently heavy snowfall in about an hour was great.
When we were under the trees, covered in snow, it felt about as far away from San Diego as possible. As long as you are prepared and ready for a more challenging hike, I highly recommend a winter trip to Cuyamaca Peak.
Is it Safe to Hike in San Diego?
Yes! Hiking in San Diego is not only fun and scenic, but very safe as well. Be sure to use common sense, bring lots of water, and look out for wildlife.
Where is the Best Spot to Hike in San Diego?
While San Diego is best known for beaches and surfing, there are amazing hikes all throughout the county. Cuyamaca State Park, Cowles Mountain, and Stonewall Peak are all some of the best spots to hike in San Diego.
How Far is the Hiking from Downtown?
Cowles Mountain is only 20-30 minutes from downtown, and there are many hikes in San Diego within an hour from downtown.
