At first glance, Buena Vista Park in Vista seems like just a small, neighborhood park. There are some nice grassy areas, picnic tables, and a scenic pond full of ducks and other waterfowl. But if you explore just a bit further, you’ll find a respectable trail system that travels along both sides of Agua Hedionda Creek. Much of the trail is shaded by both indigenous oak trees and a mix of non-natives, but there are also a lot of exposed sections and it can get pretty warm on a hot day. Plan accordingly during the summer months. Continue reading Buena Vista Park
Category Archives: Dog Friendly
Los Gatos Ravine and Chico Ravine Loop
With San Diego’s arid climate and history of severe wildfires, shaded hikes through significant tree cover can be few and far between. Fortunately there’s still a lot of forest to enjoy in the Laguna Mountain Recreation area, and this loop combining the Los Gatos Ravine and Chico Ravine Trails is a great way to get your fill of fresh pine scent. Continue reading Los Gatos Ravine and Chico Ravine Loop
San Diego River Trail – Dog Beach/Robb Field
Dog owners know Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach as a great spot to let their four-legged friends have some off-leash fun, but its also the point where the San Diego River flows into the Pacific Ocean – and the start of the San Diego River Trail. The estuary, where ocean salt water and fresh river water mix, is a wonderfully interesting ecosystem great for watching birds and other wildlife. Continue reading San Diego River Trail – Dog Beach/Robb Field
San Diego River Trail – Hazard Center/Mission Valley
When the temperature starts to rise, we like to find shorter, easier trails we can do in the evenings once it starts to cool down. The San Diego River Trail offers some great options for easy hikes that are perfect for warm summer evenings. This 2.1 mile loop along the river in the Mission Valley area is a nice spot to bring the dog or to enjoy some nice views of the river as the sun sets. Continue reading San Diego River Trail – Hazard Center/Mission Valley
Mesa Trail/Big Rock Trail Loop
With its ease of access and numerous beautiful trails, Mission Trails sees a LOT of hikers. While you’ll have a hard time finding any trail with complete solitude in the park, Mesa Trail in the eastern section isn’t as heavily traveled as some of the others. This hike combines the Mesa Service Road, Mesa Trail, and the Big Rock Trail for a nice little loop with a variety of habitats to explore. You can tack on a summit of Cowles Mountain if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, but on a warm day or if you’re just out for a quickie, this short hike is quite nice by itself. Continue reading Mesa Trail/Big Rock Trail Loop
Garnet Peak via Penny Pines
Garnet Peak is one of our favorite hikes in San Diego. It’s a fairly easy hike with fantastic views, and during the right time of year there are plenty of wildflowers to enjoy. We like this hike so much, this is the third time we’ve written it up – documenting three different ways to get there. This particular route, starting from the Penny Pines trailhead along the Sunrise Highway, is probably the most popular route (likely because of the ample free parking – no Adventure Pass is required at Penny Pines). It travels north along the famous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) before branching off to ascend Garnet Peak. Continue reading Garnet Peak via Penny Pines
Luelf Pond Open Space Preserve
Luelf Pond Open Space Preserve is a small but picturesque spot situated adjacent to a residential area in Ramona. There’s only a single trail, but lush oak trees and a steep climb leading to some sweeping vistas make it a worthwhile trip. Continue reading Luelf Pond Open Space Preserve
Dos Picos County Park
Primarily catering to campers and picnickers, Dos Picos is a fairly small park in Ramona with two designated nature trails, several roads, and informal meandering pathways to explore. There is a small but scenic pond where you can fish or watch the birds. And despite the ravages of drought and gold spotted oak borer beetle, there are still lush groves of oak trees creating a quiet, sylvan paradise. It’s a great choice for those with young kids or anyone looking for a short, easy hike that still provides a significant dose of nature. Continue reading Dos Picos County Park
Otay Lakes County Park
Otay Lakes County Park is a small park on the southern shore of Lower Otay Lake in Chula Vista. In addition to the usual playground and picnic areas to enjoy, there are some nice views to be gained by hiking to the top of a small hill on the southeastern edge of the park. Hopefully someday Otay Lakes County Park will be connected to the extensive trail system at nearby Otay Valley Regional Park, but for now this little summit is still a fun hike. Continue reading Otay Lakes County Park
Foster Point
Just a few hundred feet off the Pacific Crest Trail in Mount Laguna stands Foster Point, a fantastic vantage point from which to take in views of the nearby Anza-Borrego desert and many of the area’s prominent peaks. To aid you in identifying these peaks, there is a rustic direction finder that was installed by the Sierra Club. Foster Point is an easy side-trip if you happen to be hiking this stretch of the PCT, but it also makes a fun hike all on its own if you’re looking for something easy with a big payoff. Continue reading Foster Point