Oak Grove Loop Trail, Mission Trails | San Diego, CA

If there is one trail that serves as the perfect introduction to Mission Trails Regional Park, it is the Oak Grove Loop Trail. This trail is not only short in length, but easy in difficulty. It also exposes hikers to the grasslands and oak woodlands found throughout other parts of the expansive 5,800 acre-park. At first glance, many people might skip the Oak Grove Loop Trail. It is easy to miss, short in length, and rarely referenced on other hiking/adventure websites. Yet this highly overlooked trail is worth visiting for first-timers or even those who have completed other hikes at Mission Trails Regional Park .

There are two ways to access the Oak Grove Loop Trail. I would recommend walking from the Visitor’s Center parking lot up Father Junipero Road. This will be the first trail you see on the right hand side. A wooden kiosk will greet you. Take the trail to the right of the kiosk to begin the Oak Grove Loop. Your initial hike will take you through grasslands but shortly after you will reach a grove of oak trees. With oak trees comes the chance for poison oak so pay mind to this and stick to the main trail.

Entrance to MTRP

Trailhead

You’ll cross a small creek with multiple benches to stop and admire the beauty surrounding you. Here you’ll also find a mock-display of a Kumeyaay ‘Ewaa, or grass hut they used to build and reside in. These dome-shape houses were erected from strong willow or sycamore branches bound together with strips of bark Informational placards surround this exhibit to provide you with more information if you care to learn about the rich history of this area.

At 0.3-miles you’ll immerse out of the woods and have the option to follow the trail to the left or right to complete the short, inner loop of the Oak Grove Trail. I opted to follow the trail to the left and trek along the additional outer loop trail which tacks on another 0.2-miles. This portion of the trail may be short and sweet, but the scenery is stunning as you pass through beautiful grasslands and gaze at Pyles Peak and Kwaay Paay Peak in the distance.

This section of the trail does run parallel to Mission Gorge Road. In the middle of the day the sound of cars can be heard whizzing by, however it wasn’t loud enough to distract an otherwise peaceful hike. Hiking earlier in the day may further prevent this from happening. On a peaceful March day after rainfall, the surroundings were green and lush, with vibrant yellow flowers blooming along the trail.

After you’ve completed the Oak Grove Outer Loop you will meet back up with the inner loop trail and follow it back towards the Visitor’s Center to complete it. You’ll reach yet another fork, follow the fork to the right. To your right will be a fence, protecting the sensitive habitat that surrounds you. Soon the Visitor Center will come into sight in the distance. Continue forward and eventually you will find yourself back near the visitor center entrance, where the loop began.

Oak Grove Loop Tips

Tip #1: Watch out for poison oak. There are plenty of signs posted that point out where you’ll find poison oak along the trail. Avoid veering off the trail at these points like the plague.

Tip #2: Bring your pets: dogs are permitted on this trail.

Tip #3: To extend your hike, add the nearby Visitor’s Center Loop Trail (1.4-miles in length).

Tip #4: This trail is mostly exposed. On a sunny day, make sure you are wearing the right attire and apply plenty of sunscreen.

Tip #5: Stop by the impressive Visitor & Interpretive Center, which boasts 94-seat theater with 4 shows running daily. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Driving Directions

Take I-8 east to the Mission Gorge-Fairmount exit. Take the Mission Gorge Rd Exit. Drive 4.2 miles on Mission Gorge and turn left on Father Junípero Serra Trail. Turn left again into the entrance and parking for the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center. Additional parking can be found in the nearby Jackson overflow lot. The visitor center and parking area close at 5 p.m. daily.