Situated southwest of the Laguna Mountains, Lake Morena County Park offers hikers a diverse landscape and impressive views worth the hour drive from San Diego proper. The park features over 8-miles of non-motorized multi-use trails and includes a section of the infamous Pacific Crest Trail. Additionally, it features the Lake Morena Reservoir, a popular place […]
Rice Canyon Trail | San Diego, CA
I’ve covered plenty of hiking trails in east county San Diego, but have come to the realization that south San Diego deserves more coverage. As much as I love my boulder-strewn, chaparral covered trails in the east, the south has equally as spectacular trails to hike, most much easier to access. Rice Canyon Open Space […]
Desert View Trail, Mount Laguna | San Diego, CA
Despite being well known for its dense pine woods, many trails found on Mount Laguna also provide breathtaking views of the distant Anza Borrego Desert. The Desert View Trail does just this, in an easy 1.7-mile loop—providing impressive vistas of both the lush woodlands and expansive desert. Due to its short length and stunning sights, […]
Kwaaymii Loop Trail, Mount Laguna | San Diego, CA
Whenever I’m looking for a quick escape for the typical San Diego chaparral covered mountains, I head to Mount Laguna to get my forest fix. Mount Laguna features miles of trails through expansive meadows, dense forests, and impressive lakes. These trails also feature diverging views, with many trails offering both wooded and desert views. For […]
Calcite Mine Trail, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park | Borrego Springs, CA
San Diego may be best-known for its ideal year-round weather, however over a century ago it was also known for mining. There are plenty of mines that can still to this day be found in San Diego, but most were used for gold and copper. Julian was once known for its gold riches. Nearby in […]
North Fortuna Peak Via Mission Dam | San Diego, CA
Mission Trails Regional Park is my go-to hiking destination when I want to get a hike in but I’m in a pinch for time. Conveniently located about 20 minutes from downtown San Diego, this destination is home to several of the county’s most prominent peaks. North Fortuna Peak is the third tallest peak at Mission […]
Lake Cuyamaca Loop Trail Via Lake Trail | San Diego, CA
Aside from the countless staggering peaks found at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Lake Cuyamaca also serves as one of the many additional points of interest. The 100-acre deep blue lake offers fishers a prime spot for catching trout and other species of fish including Florida bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill and sturgeon. Luckily […]
Monument Peak Trail, Mount Laguna | San Diego, CA
The Laguna Mountains provides some of the most prime hiking destinations in all of southern California, offering hikers arguably the best views of San Diego county and beyond. One trail that doesn’t fail to deliver on spectacular views is the Monument Peak Trail, a nearly 6-mile out-and-back hike that covers a portion of the Pacific […]
Big Horn Mine Trail | Wrightwood, CA
Some hikes are epic enough to warrant a lengthy drive. The Big Horn Mine Trail is one of them. It’s nearly a 3-hour drive from San Diego yet entirely worth every minute in transit. Located just past the Mountain High Ski Resort in Wrightwood, the Big Horn Mine biggest draws are the remains of a […]
Ridge Trail to Goodan Ranch | San Diego, CA
At 2,272 acres and over 10 miles of multi-use trails, the Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve is a prime hiking destination in San Diego. The preserve includes the Goodan Ranch Visitor Center, adjacent to the original ranch house which burned almost in its entirety during the 2003 Cedar Fire. The sweeping vistas and stunning views […]