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    Coast Walk Trail

    4.9 (32 reviews)

    Coast Walk Trail Photos

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    Reviews With Photos - Coast Walk Trail

    Edna G.

    Amazing location in LaJolla to see the ocean waters, sea lions, birds, and take a good stroll. I love the vibe here. Lots of people loving the weather, the shopping and restaurants close by. Parking may be difficult but doable. Great place to have a little picnic and see the sunset. This is one of my favorite spots in San Diego. [10R,2026]

    Rachel S.

    The Coast Walk Trail in La Jolla is one of those places that somehow exceeds expectations every single time. It is unbelievably beautiful and feels like peak Southern California in the best way. The ocean views are absolutely breathtaking, with rugged cliffs, sparkling blue water, and waves crashing below you the entire walk. No matter how many times you stop to look around, it never gets old. The trail itself is well maintained and easy to navigate, making it accessible for all ages and fitness levels. You can go at your own pace, whether that's a relaxed stroll or a longer walk, and still feel completely immersed in nature. The weather is almost always perfect with sunshine, mild temperatures, and a refreshing ocean breeze that makes the experience even better. One of the highlights is the wildlife. You'll likely see seals and sea lions lounging on the rocks, birds flying overhead, and if you're lucky, dolphins swimming just offshore. It feels like a front row seat to nature. This is the kind of place that makes you stop, slow down, and appreciate how stunning California really is. A must visit for tourists and locals alike, and absolutely deserving of five stars.

    The stunning La Jolla Cove as seen from the far end, right where the Coast Walk Trail begins its adventure.
    Chris G.

    For what it is, the Coastal Walk Trail in La Jolla is short but unforgettable, roughly half-a-mile of cliffside path with sweeping views of the Pacific, towering sandstone formations, sea lions basking nearby, and seabirds riding the surf breeze. We started the trek at the La Jolla cove which adds a little distance. The trail is mostly easy, with benches for resting, though parts are uneven or narrow. It's perfect for a peaceful stroll, especially at sunset or sunrise. We enjoyed the hike before breakfast; it's a good way to build your appetite.

    Scenic views
    Ryan M.

    A VERY short, but scenic trail. Start just outside The Cave Store and you'll find a very scenic walk. One of the most beautiful views in San Diego. You walk along the coast, cross a wooden bridge then it's over and you have to walk back. Very easy walk, not even a hike. The only cons are; in the beginning you start by the sea cliffs where lots of sea birds roost so it smells like the penguin area at SeaWorld (a mixture of rotten fish and bird poop) There isn't much parking so visit early in the morning but the trail is short so walking isn't so much an issue. To find it just go to the Cave Store. After your walk/hike consider going into the cave store and pay to walk down the stairs to see the inside of the cave or go to one of the kayak shops on Avenida De La Playa and do a kayak tour of the cave (depending on conditions) I used to tell out of town guest to visit La Jolla cove to look at the sea lions, I think this might be a better option or at least another place for them to visit.

    Felecia I.

    Want a short, easy walk that is also exceptionally scenic? Check out the La Jolla Coast trail. This 0.6 mile walk, right along the shoreline, is insanely beautiful. Ocean views? Check. Coastal birds flying around and perched on rocks? Check. Sea lions barking and swimming around? Check. Also, people with kayaks, SUP boards and snorkeling gear just enjoying outdoor recreation in the Pacific. The trail was first built in 1932, although it was believed to have been used some 9,500 years ago by Native Americans as an access point for hunting and fishing. It has an interesting history. Love this spot so much!

    Coastal Walk Trail atopbthis bluff
    Norbert K.

    I highly recommend this Trail to anyone visiting La Jolla.  The natural beauty is awesome. For about a year, we lived a 300 ft or so from Coast Walk, and used the Trail frequently to walk into/from La Jolla Village.  The trail rather meanders near the edge of a bluff overlooking La Jolla Bay. The trail is unpaved, uneven terrain bordered by great plants that flower at different times of the year.  There are benches along the way.  Stop to enjoy the views or just to rest.  At the Village (western) end, you can look down at La Jolla Cove with its sea lions, as well as the famous La Jolla Caves.  When you reach the end, you can continue your walk on Coast Blvd to La Jolla Cove or find your way up to Prospect Street ... and the Village. Very limited street parking on Coast Walk.  No restrooms on the trail.

    Anthony A.

    Beautiful low-key trail to walk in La Jolla. Lots of beautiful palms, agaves, and other plants. I highly recommend checking it out.

    Ayla B.

    Wow! Talk about a beautifully manicured trail with epic views! I walked the trail and picked a bench to sit on (there are benches throughout) to enjoy watching the waves crash in and the kayaking tours over the water. This is a great, safe space to find some quiet time and reflection as you gaze over the open ocean! Definitely recommend this spot and the trail is easy with minimal inclines! It would be suitable for all ages.

    4/15/23 FYI
    Lee D.

    Quality/Quantity - Cool, easy, beautiful 0.6 mile walk/hike. See pictures. Small beaches, see picture. And with seals. Great place to watch the kayakers, paddle surfers, etc. Next to the cave store, see pictures. Atmosphere - See above and pictures. 3 hour free parking; if you do not mind walking, free all day parking approximately half a mile away. Bike parking. Clean outdoor public bathrooms. Views over the La Jolla Ecological Reserve (which some refer to it as the La Jolla Bay). It has endangered birds and animals. Used to be a hunting trail. Also see "Dead Man's Leap," Devils Slide. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Thanks to the residents and CA for keeping this trail and the area up.

    J E.

    While staying in LaJolla we heard about the views from this beautiful walk, so we stopped by one morning, around 9AM. There are two parking spots off of Coast Walk Trail (the actual road, prior to Prospect Rd), and we were fortunate to grab one when arriving. The views are amazing from here! The cove below, the walking trails and foliage, and the wildlife, mostly birds that you'll see are all beautiful! We walked a little way before turning around, but will definitely return and walk more of this amazing trail.

    View from the Trail to the ocean
    James A.

    Easy, paved walkway above the La Jolla Cove, giving great views of the ocean and people enjoying it. It is well maintained and there is even a wall to recognize the people and entities who contributed.

    We loved this nice light hike.
    Cherie M.

    Wow! What a great way to see San Diego! My partner and I went to visit some friends and decided to go on a nice walk before we went to brunch. We were not disappointed. I loved seeing the ocean, the seals? And the nature along this trail. It's good for walking, but be ready to do a little bit of hiking. It's right on the edge of the cliff. We will be back very soon!

    Coast Walk Trail
    Patrick M.

    5 huge stars for the Coast Walk Trail. It's a nice walk along the coast between The Cove & La Jolla Shores. Some of the nicest views you'll ever see and good fun for people of all ages.

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    11 months ago

    This trail is so pretty. Come early to get parking because even on weekdays the lot and street parking fills up fast.

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    Ask the Community - Coast Walk Trail

    Review Highlights - Coast Walk Trail

    Bring binoculars for additional entertainment as the sea lions and birds are everywhere and active.

    Mentioned in 11 reviews

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    Annie's Canyon Trail

    Annie's Canyon Trail

    4.6
    (378 reviews)
    11.3 mi

    Such a short but fun hike! I took the 1.4-mile round trip from N. Rios Ave to the top and back. The…read moreactual slot canyon portion is only about 0.5 miles, maybe even a little less, so the hike itself is pretty quick. The slots are definitely a tight squeeze, with a few more strenuous areas where you have to take large steps and maneuver your body. The ladder felt very sturdy and secure, which I appreciated. For reference, the widest part of my body is about 51 inches at the hips, and I was able to walk through the slots facing forward without having to rotate my body sideways. My pants definitely got a little dirty, though! So if you're wondering whether you'll fit, hopefully that gives you a better idea of how narrow some of the sections are. If you're claustrophobic, I probably wouldn't recommend going through the slot section. There is an alternative path that bypasses the slots and would be a much better option if tight spaces aren't your thing. The view at the top was beautiful and definitely worth the little climb! Overall, this was a very short, unique, and fun hike. Definitely recommend if you're looking for something quick and different!

    What a fun hike. It has it all. Great view, easy to hike the only thing is when you reach the…read morerocks are very narrow and can be hard to climb the stairs. Great hike for pictures. Loved this place

    Photos
    MeetUp's Fun Diego Ladies go hiking!
    MeetUp's Fun Diego Ladies go hiking!
    Close Up of The Canyon
    Close Up of The Canyon
    Narrow passages

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    Narrow passages
    La Jolla Trail

    La Jolla Trail

    4.1
    (214 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    Tried this hike a couple of times. Short and sweet with some scrambling/ mildly challenging areas…read more Beautiful views and ends in blacks beach. Lots of paragliders that glide off glider port nearby.

    I had heard a lot about the "Ho Chi Minh Trail" and finally tried it over a recent weekend. I am…read morenot sure who discovered or developed this hike, but it felt like, "Hey, let's follow the natural erosion of the land and create a shortcut to Black's Beach from the residences in La Jolla Farms." The number of people who were either barefooted or were wearing flip flops to make this trek really surprised me. I was wearing hiking shoes and was fortunate to only pick up a couple of minor scrapes along the way. The views of the canyons, the bluffs, and the hang gliders overhead were very beautiful so there were plenty of photo opportunities. I felt the hassle to descend towards the beach was not worth the short journey. The path was only about 3/4 mile in distance one way which I completed in about 20 minutes. Trekking poles were not at all useful, and they became a hindrance in a few areas. This was a hike in which you should NOT bring children or dogs. If you have a fear of heights, then you may also want to think twice before trying this trail. There were at least two or three very treacherous spots in which a slip could lead to a nasty fall with a concussion, sprain, fracture, or even death as an outcome. There are many other hiking locations in San Diego County that are more rewarding than the La Jolla Trail.

    Photos
    Beach shore at the end of the hike
    Beach shore at the end of the hike
    A doable hike with some challenging spots
    A doable hike with some challenging spots
    La Jolla Trail

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    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

    4.2
    (395 reviews)
    10.2 mi

    I've done this trail/hike quite a few times already since I grew up in the area. It's been a few…read moreyears since I had last done it and I went alone with my little dog a few months ago during the summer. BRING ALOT OF WATER. If you're new to this trail/hike, I would recommend the north trail. The south trail can be a bit confusing and you may get lost if you're inexperienced. Parking: I take a little shortcut and I park closer to Park Village elementary school and there's a little parking lot area roundabout that you can park in. Plenty of little trails , little critters, and people riding their horses through. A calming sight to see. there is good amount of water during the summertime when I went. Hiking shoes are not needed. When you get to the waterfall, there's plenty of rocks you can climb onto and it's pretty fun. Dog friendly, but make sure they're on a leash during the trail.

    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve is a set of flat hiking trails along a dry creek bed stretching…read morefrom Black Mountain Road on the east to Sorrento Valley on the west. The round trip from one end to the other was just under 12 miles. From the east, you start at Canyonside Community Park. The parking spaces closest to the trailhead were adjacent to baseball field #8 so keep that in mind. You can actually take one of two parallel trails westward, one north of the creek bed and one south of the creek bed, towards the "waterfall" which was about a three-mile distance. I have done both before with different groups of friends. There was quite a bit of shade on certain parts of the trek. You will need to watch out for dung as horse riding was permitted on the trails. The waterfall was an area of boulders where the creek has flowing water that descends maybe 20 feet over a distance of about 50 yards. At this junction, you can cross the creek from the north trail to the south trail or vice versa to head back east to Canyonside Community Park. I have never gone west of the waterfall, but one of these days I will do so or start from the Sorrento Valley side and head eastward. If you like a long hike without much elevation, then this will be for you.

    Photos
    Path across a ridge
    Path across a ridge
    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve
    Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

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    Lake Murray

    Lake Murray

    4.4
    (334 reviews)
    13.8 mi

    Lake Murray is so beautiful and I enjoy coming here! I've been here a few times to walk the trail…read moreand also sit by the lake and read on a nice sunny morning. The birds can be a bit annoying, but guess that comes with the great outdoors. Definitely a nice spot to chill, take a walk and get those steps in. This area feels safe and well maintained. When I went, there weren't too many people, so it was pretty peaceful. The trail can get busy and there are bathrooms along the way (I didn't use them though) There's plenty of parking here, but just be sure you leave on time for closing. I've heard they lock up and it can be an issue with getting out. (not sure how true this is but I won't chance it) There is more parking elsewhere with trail access too, I just personally haven't found it.

    Lake Murray Service road walking trail is one of my go-to workouts--about 5.5 miles to the locked…read moregate and back. After entering the main entrance, follow the road and turn right where you will see a yellow locked gate. This is the beginning of the paved walking trail. There's plenty of parking at the main entrance, and the paved trail is perfect for walkers, runners, bikers, and even kids tagging along. It's basically a choose-your-own-adventure: bird watching, fishing (permit required), or just a casual picnic. Bonus perks: lots of porta potties and benches when you need a breather. If you're holding out for a real restroom, there's one just past the second baseball field--plan accordingly. Photo is attached to show where to locate this. Heads up: the main gate is closed every 2nd Tuesday of the month, but don't panic--you can still access the trail through the neighborhood entrance off Baltimore Drive. Hope you enjoy this walking trail as much as I do.

    Photos
    Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!
    Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!
    Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.
    Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.
    Lake Murray

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    Cabrillo National Monument

    Cabrillo National Monument

    4.6
    (829 reviews)
    12.1 mi

    Nice smaller National Monument, visitor center, hiking trails, tide pools, whale watching and great…read moreviews of San Diego and the Pacific. Car admission is $20 unless you have an America The Beautiful pass, which includes admission to this location as well as many others. Nice way to spend a few hours, open 9am to 5pm

    Cabrillo National Monument is awesome and needs to be top of the to-do list for a visit to San…read moreDiego. There is so much to see and do at the Park. The views of the bay, ocean, beaches and city are spectacular. The Visitors Center is packed with historical information about the landing of the first European, explorer Juan Cabrillo, at the bay. Naturalists offer special programs throughout the day about wildlife and other features of Point Loma. We saw a gopher snake during our visit. An overlook at the site offers explanation of ships and sea life that can be observed from the point. We found plenty of nearby parking at the Visitors Center. A short walk from the visitors center is a massive statue of Juan Cabrillo, the first European explorer to set foot on what is now San Diego Bay in 1592. The statue was created by sculpture Al Varo De Bree of Lisbon in 1939. We took photos by the statue. Old Point Loma Lighthouse is another prominent feature of the Monument. The lighthouse was one of the first lighthouses commissioned on the west coast of the U.S. During low tide, tide pools, on the north west side of the park, offer visitors a glimpse of ocean wonders. You can see sea-life up close. The tide was high during our visit, but I will return to check out the pools. Numerous trails lead up and down the point. The trails are somewhat steep, but offer spectacular views of the ocean and bay. Plan at least a four hour visit. Bring water and snack. Hiking stick is useful if you want to hike. Bathing gear is handy if you want to explore the tide pools. Go mid week to avoid the crowds. Wear hat and sunscreen. We found plenty of parking.

    Photos
    Cabrillo
    Cabrillo
    The original lighthouse on top of the hill, built in the 1800s / April 2025
    The original lighthouse on top of the hill, built in the 1800s / April 2025
    Cabrillo National Monument

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    Coast Walk Trail - hiking - Updated August 2026

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