The Rock Mountain Preserve in Fallbrook is a small preserve just north of the Santa Margarita River hiking trail. Managed by the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, it is a short, rugged hike to a scenic outcropping of rocks overlooking the river valley. Sadly, there is a significant amount of graffiti around the summit area, but the impressive views and enjoyable rock scrambling more than make up for it. Continue reading Rock Mountain
Category Archives: Trail Write-Ups
Del Dios Highlands Preserve
Del Dios Highlands is a 774 acre preserve adjacent to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. The Preserve has one trail, a wide fire road, which begins along the Del Dios Highway and climbs just over 900 feet to an unnamed peak. The road then goes on to connect to the Elfin Forest trail system. Surrounded by a mix of chaparral and coastal sage scrub, the trail offers some superb views of nearby Lake Hodges and Olivenhain Reservoir. Continue reading Del Dios Highlands Preserve
West Mesa Loop (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)
One of the things we love about Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is the fact that its numerous miles of interconnecting fire roads and single track trails can be combined into so many different hikes. This loop along the West Mesa Trail overlaps a portion of the Airplane Monument/Arroyo Seco Loop, but begins at the West Mesa trailhead and travels south towards the monument. Continue reading West Mesa Loop (Cuyamaca Rancho State Park)
Jerry Schad Memorial Trail (Balboa Park)
Balboa Park has miles of trails and walking paths with something for everyone. A number of predefined routes have been established and labeled with numbered, color-coded trail markers to help visitors explore the many sights the park has to offer. Trail #43, marked with purple square trail markers, explores the western edge of the park. The trail travels primarily across paved sidewalks, passing a number of Balboa Park’s huge array of public facilities and showcasing a diverse array of plant life that can be found in Balboa Park. It is also home to an abundance of camera-ready squirrels. Continue reading Jerry Schad Memorial Trail (Balboa Park)
Otay Valley Delta
The Otay Valley Delta once held farmland, but over the years the land was neglected and soon filled with invasive, non-native plants. In 2012 55 acres were restored, the weeds replaced with native plants and trees, creating a beautiful stretch of riparian habitat. This short loop explores the restored section of the Delta where the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Otay Valley Regional Park meet. Continue reading Otay Valley Delta
Carmel Mountain Preserve
Carmel Mountain Preserve, surrounded by dense housing developments, is home to a multitude of unique habitats including southern maritime chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and vernal pools. While the best time to visit is likely in winter or early spring so you can see the vernal pools, it’s also a good spot to visit in summer since its proximity to the coast means you’ll likely enjoy slightly lower temperatures than the rest of the county on a hot day. Continue reading Carmel Mountain Preserve
Kumeyaay Lake
Kumeyaay Lake in Mission Trails Regional Park was once a series of gravel pits along the San Diego River. After being mined out in the 1970’s, the area was restored and has since become an important nesting ground for the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo. The lake is also open to recreational fishing, and lies immediately adjacent to the Kumeeyaay Lake Campground, open on weekends and certain holidays. Continue reading Kumeyaay Lake
Dust Devil Nature Trail
It was another hot weekend, and we were looking for a shorter coastal trail that we could bring one of the dogs on – The Dust Devil Nature Trail was a perfect choice. Located on the eastern side of the San Dieguito Lagoon, the trail is named in honor of the Dust Devils – a volunteer group started in the 1990’s who were instrumental in building and improving trails in the San Dieguito River Park. The trail consists of three interconnecting loops, which can seem a tad confusing if you’re just looking at the map, but is easy enough to navigate if you just turn right at every junction. Continue reading Dust Devil Nature Trail
Annie’s Canyon via N Rios Avenue (San Elijo Lagoon)
Annie’s Canyon, formerly known as the “Mushroom Caves,” in San Elijo Lagoon has quickly become one of San Diego’s “must-do” hikes. For years, the narrow sandstone slot canyon was officially closed to the public, but served as an illicit party spot. Thanks to a generous donation by someone known only as “Annie,” as well as tremendous effort by volunteers, the area has been cleaned up and a new trail known as “Annie’s Canyon Trail” has been established. The hope is that by opening the area to the public it will no longer be a desirable hangout for illegal activities. Continue reading Annie’s Canyon via N Rios Avenue (San Elijo Lagoon)
Tijuana Estuary
The Tijuana Estuary is an internationally known bird-watching destination in our own backyard, home to threatened and endangered species such as the California Least Tern, Snowy Plover, and Ridgway’s Clapper Rail. While over 90% of California’s coastal wetlands have disappeared, the Tijuana River National Estuarine Reasearch Reserve is protected by several government agencies (including California State Parks, US Fish & Wildlife Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and provides a wonderful opportunity to explore a wetland environment. Continue reading Tijuana Estuary