Quite a nice short trail if you dont take the extra mile path. A good climb and scenic view…read more Other websites will say this is easy difficulty trail. But it can be semi moderate with the uphill, climbing, &balancing. You might not want to bring your unfit elderly that aren't used to non flat surfaces just an fyi. Going early in the morning, we had cloudy weather. The highway on the side that leads into this can be a bit unimmersive. But still worth the hike.

*Hidden gem *part of the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological…read moreReserve *several trails with mild to strenuous levels (slot canyon is strenuous... but there were parts of the switchback trail that was labeled as moderate that were a bit strenuous *Know your limits, hydrate, wear good hiking /walking shoes and listen to your body *incredible plant and wildlife biodiversity *birding hotspot * trail is unpaved *trail starts at the end of a cul de sac... street parking is free but depending on the day and time can be hard

My favorite local hike that has all levels…read more The Oak riparian entrance is great for kids and beginners and you can go as short or long as you want. Closer to the lake you can enter in from the neighborhood and do a loop around the lake. The epic and challenging bit is hiking the dormant volcano itself. You can go one of three or a hidden fourth way up. The face is the most challenging and requires good balance. Both east and west sides require a little bit less, but it's a good strenuous hike that will get the blood pumping. My wife with Arthritis has done it and found it challenging. Our youth group does it a couple times a year and often will divide up based on the challenge they are looking for. It's great for an afternoon hike and when you've done it... plan a sunset hike. It's awesome. The tree cover near oak riparian entrance is really nice. The stream has cute little crawdads. That hidden entrance is at the bottom of cannon road where people will park at the church and enter the trail there. It makes for a longer walk, but there's also more trails. There's another under the power lines like a power line trail that starts paved then goes into the dirt trails. Note there are more mountain bikers and rarely you may see a OneWheel.

Great spot for a hike! There are plenty of trails to choose from, offering views of the lake, the…read morevolcanic plug, and Carlsbad. The hikes range from easy to moderate depending on the trail you take. Some sections are a bit overgrown while others are well maintained, but overall it's a beautiful place to explore.

I still love this walk. It pretty flat and easy. It was a bit muddy a few days after the rains but…read morewe managed to walk around the edges. In the summer months it's best to go early because there isn't much shade and it can get hot. It wasn't that crowded even on a weekend day and parking wasn't bad. We started on the Gabbiano side but I usually start on the opposite side. Both are nice. The visitor center is a cool spot to check out and it has lots of info on the area. They also do presentations you can attend.

I was staying at the Aviara Resort and really appreciated how the shuttle drops you off at the golf…read morecourse which is right next to the lagoon. I had a wonderful morning walk on this trail maintained by the foundation. The QR codes contained interesting information along with signage along the well marked path. Please stay on the path! The birds and wildlife were amazing and it was nice to see others enjoying the beauty. The access to the lagoon is free and the nature center accepts donations.

Great hiking experience. Don't underestimate it though, it is a medium distance hike. Watch out for…read morerattlesnakes and coyotes. Amazing views of Carlsbad

It's not that bad for kids. Too many ants and dog poop. For kids it's awesome as they can enjoy the…read morewalk as it's not too hard for them either. Very nice view

Its a beautiful trail, my only complaint is the road noise from I-5 makes it a little hard to hear…read morethe birds in the lagoon. Very dog friendly for leashed dogs which is a huge plus. Will try to go closer to the morning when hopefully the lagoon isn't as backlit for photographs.

This was a really chill and easy hike. I've been wanting to start doing more hikes, but since it's…read morebeen a minute I want to start slow! This was perfect and had great views. It was a bit confusing at some points on where to go, so I recommend using the self guide option on your phone...( I will be using that the next time) Overall, I really enjoyed this little hike.

As you walk up to the entrance stairway to this trails beginning there are no less than five signs…read moreto read. All stating the things you "can't do" "can't have", "can't ride" and the kicker sign "no trespassing". So for me it's a questionable trail.

OKay for a short walk if your a local or in the area. I thought this was a real hiking path, its…read morejust an unpaved path that winds behind houses and up hills. Its great for a warm up before a workout or to walk your dog. I feel sorry for the people who bought houses there cause the path is in their backyard, literally. Park on the street, and enjoy the short lil jaunt. As the signs say, look out for rattlesnakes. Beautiful area, but lost on me when I am looking down the entire time for a rattler.

I visited Double Peak Park in San Marcos recently, and it turned out to be a much more lively and…read morememorable place than I expected. Even though it is an outdoor park, it has this energetic atmosphere that teenagers would enjoy a lot. I saw a surprising number of teenagers around the lookout areas, the trails, and the picnic spots, which made the whole place feel youthful and social in a way that reminded me of the playful energy I felt at Funko Hollywood. The wide open views at the top almost felt unreal when I first saw them, and I could easily understand why so many teens were taking pictures there. The scenery practically invites you to take photos without needing anything extra. As I walked around, I realized there was more to the park than I expected. Some parts of the trail felt a little worn down, and a few areas could have been more polished, which is part of why I would give it four stars instead of five. Still, I appreciated how easy it was to explore the park without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Even with groups of teenagers laughing and taking pictures, the atmosphere stayed calm and relaxing. I only visited Double Peak Park one time before writing this review, but it left a strong impression on me because of how open, peaceful, and lively it felt all at once. It is one of the more refreshing outdoor places I have been to in a while, and I never doubted that the experience would turn out the way I hoped it would. I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because they would love the photo opportunities, the sense of freedom on the trails, and the creative feeling that comes from being somewhere with such a wide and inspiring view. It gives them a place to hang out, take pictures, and enjoy themselves without spending any money.

What a view! I came up for the Starwalk event hosted by the city of San Marcos through the Double…read morePeak Astronomy program. There was plenty of parking but we got there early just in case. We walked up to the check-in desk, provided our info, and were given instructions, star maps, and red lenses for our phones. We then walked to Mahnita Boyden-Wofford Amphitheater (a large cement amphitheater) and found seats facing the volunteer ranger presenting the night's info. Unfortunately, it was a bit too foggy to see much. The volunteer ranger (John Walsh) answered questions and explained differences between various stars, meteors, satellites and sky debris. Occasionally, the sky would open up for us to see a few stars. We did get to see the summer triangle and a satellite though. It was a good learning experience and I hope to do more in the future on a clear night. Tip: apparently it's tarrantula season so watch your step.

For a quick run, the Rancho Carrillo Trail got the job done. While not the biggest, longest,…read moretallest, or most scenic trail around, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Maybe the key to that was ease of use. Parking was easy. & not a lot of folks out, so I had the trail mostly to myself. Over the 2 short laps I ran, for a total 3.33 miles, there were some nice elevation changes & interesting enough features to look at. & for a run, it's good stuff for a trail to be able to take your mind off of the actual running. Rancho Carrillo Trail did that.

I'd be lying if I said I was not getting frustrated on trying to find the parking to enjoy this…read moretrail HA! I was probably making it complicated. Just put in directions to the Carillo elementary school and as soon as you enter the school lot, take a sharp right to park in the public lot, no pass or payment needed. (if you turned left, you would be entering the elementary school parking) It's kind of hidden, hence why I kept passing it. Drum roll please, I finally found it and could not have been happier. Hardly any cars, maybe 1 max at 7 a.m. Come early while its overcast and not so hot out. Once you park (free parking lot off PASEO ESCUELA and POINTSETTIA LANE), there are (2) ways you can take. Look at the paved ground and decide for yourself. Either way they loop around. It's a total of 2 miles from the car and all the way around of staying ON TRACK, however, I love all the random paths & trails you can take to be adventurous from the main trail. It's so nice. I personally enjoyed the scenary. It was paved for the most part. I loved seeing a little bit of history. We did not go into the historical ranch, as 1) it was too early and 2) they do not allow dogs however, we could go up to the fence, and peak thru. It was so pretty, look at all my pictures. I loved this trail, it was a nice workout for a brisk walk or run. some incline here and there. Great for dogs and really quiet.

Soo cool! Such a surprise. You think it's a small community center, but it's packed with…read moreactivities, light snacks, coffee, a stage, play rooms, books, toys, and best of all - animals! There's a pig that gets walked by a staff member intermittently, turtles you can get up and personal with, chickens, owls, hawks, falcons, snakes, starfish, etc. This is a great venue to take your kids. They have activities such as story time, and they also have an area where you can learn about the natives. There's areas to hike around the beautiful lagoon. You can be a member or take a look for the day for about $15 which is very reasonable. I believe it's worth it. They really maximized the space. It's a wonderful place!

Wow! I'm so glad I was recommended this place! They have a suggested donation and with it, you get…read morean animal feed bag of your choice. There are lots of animals around the property! This place is perfect for younger kids, I'd say around 9 or younger. They have a scavenger hunt that changes monthly and kids get to pick a small prize. Highly highly recommend if you're looking for a fun FREE activity to do with your kids!

We live off Poinsettia east side of 5. This perfect dirt path is our short cut to the beach by the…read morewater plant. Starts at Poinsettia and ends at coaster station. Safe place to cross the tracks then the path drops you into small neighborhood next to hwy.101.

Short trail, 1/2 mile long, packed sand and flat. Great for short walks with your dog or kids…read more bikes are OK. You can access the trail in 2 different entrances, by Poinsettia and Avenida Encinas (street parking by the hotels across the street) or by parking in the Free parking lot at the Coaster/Amtrak train station. If you park in the train station, the trail access is on the south end of the parking lot. If you do a return trip on the trail is one mile, also you can make your walk longer by crossing over to the other side of the railroad tracks. It is possible to walk on the other side. There is an established cross over by the train station where you can cross to the other side of the platform. There are also some interesting displays that teach about Vernal Pools along the trail, and plenty of garbage cans and free bags for dog poop. This is a popular trail with nearby residents for walking their dogs or taking younger kids on bike rides.