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: North County
Parry Grove Trail (Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve)
When we did our first write-up of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve several years ago, the Parry Grove Trail was closed and we weren’t able to include it. It’s taken us awhile, but we finally got back to the park to check out this trail and document it.
The Parry Grove Trail is a short loop, and includes the Whitaker native plant garden and scenic Scripps Overlook. The trail is named for Charles C. Parry, a medical doctor and botanist who first documented the Torrey Pine, christening it Pinus Torreyana. The trail includes a steep section of 118 steps – an obstacle which deters many of the Reserve’s visitors, meaning this trail is somewhat less busy than others. Continue reading Parry Grove Trail (Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve)
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
Mount Woodson (Potato Chip Rock) via Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
Mount Woodson, perhaps better known as “Potato Chip Rock,” is a tough hike no matter which route you take. The least hard route starts from Highway 67 and climbs a steep and winding fire road up the eastern side of the mountain. Even more grueling is the route from Lake Poway up the western side. For those looking for even more mileage and elevation gain, we suggest this route that begins at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve and connects to the Lake Poway route. Continue reading Mount Woodson (Potato Chip Rock) via Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
Jack Creek Meadow Loop (Daley Ranch)
Once slated for a large housing development, Daley Ranch was set aside for conservation and recreation in 1997, and has since become a favorite spot for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. With over 20 miles of trails, there are lots of options for hikes of varying lengths and difficulties. The Jack Creek Meadow Loop travels the paved Ranch House Road to the historic Daley Ranch House, then makes a loop around the Jack Creek Meadow through a mix of non-native grasslands and riparian oak woodland. Continue reading Jack Creek Meadow Loop (Daley Ranch)
San Pasqual to Ysabel Creek
We had slowly been tackling small segments of the portion of the Coast to Crest Trail that runs through the San Pasqual Valley, and were down to the final leg. The segment that runs from the San Pasqual Staging Area just off of Highway 78 to the Ysabel Creek Staging Area a few miles away is at the eastern end of a 22-mile contiguous stretch of the Coast to Crest Trail. Hopefully someday, we’ll be able to continue east through the valley to connect with the Santa Ysabel truck trail near Boden Canyon. For now, we were just happy to check this one off the list. Continue reading San Pasqual to Ysabel Creek
Ysabel Creek to Raptor Ridge
Someday the Coast to Crest Trail will run continuously from the summit of Volcan Mountain to the ocean, but for now the longest contiguous segment of the trail is the 22-mile span between Highway 78 and Santa Fe Valley. A 22-mile point-to-point hike makes for an awfully long day hike, so we’ve been tackling this section in smaller segments. Continue reading Ysabel Creek to Raptor Ridge
Equine Incline Loop/Mount Israel (Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve)
The Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve is a popular spot for both hikers and mountain bikers. The Way Up Trail, the main path into the Reserve, is a busy, well traveled trail. Once at the top of the Way Up Trail, however, one can choose from a number of destinations. The Equine Incline Trail on the west side of the reservoir is one of the quieter sections of the Reserve. This loop can also lead you to the Elfin Forest Overlook point – also known as Mount Israel. Continue reading Equine Incline Loop/Mount Israel (Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve)
Lake Poway Loop
Most hikers know Lake Poway as the starting point for the famous Potato Chip Rock (Mount Woodson) hike, but there are some other adventures to be had there. If you want to enjoy the scenic views and rugged landscape that surrounds Lake Poway but avoid the Mount Woodson crowds, this loop around the lake is a good choice. There is little shade and some steep hills, so an early start during warm weather is advised. Continue reading Lake Poway Loop
Old Coach to Raptor Ridge
This segment of the Coast to Crest trail through San Pasqual Valley picks up where our last hike, from Mule Hill to the Old Coach connector trail, left off. This segment starts off almost perfectly flat as it continues along the San Dieguito River, then ascends to the Raptor Ridge Viewpoint where you have fantastic views of the San Pasqual Valley below. As you can guess from the name, it is an excellent spot to view hawks soaring by as they hunt. Continue reading Old Coach to Raptor Ridge