good glorious morning to y'all. let me just say this-- if you are a tub of lard do not come to this…read moretrail. the walls are narrow and I got stuck in between these Yellowstone formations. this is bullshit and highly unprofessional. just thought i'd put that out there if any of you are as wide as you are tall. a water station would have been nice.

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.

039/2026/Feb This…read morescenic pedestrian path walk has a breath taking view!! It's not like a regular walk trail !! A panoramic view of the La Jolla coastline gave me a feeling of peace and tranquility just hearing the sound of the silent waves and bustling wind !!! Honestly the stairs are one too many for me so I just sat down and enjoyed the view from the wooden bench!

The Coast Walk Trail in La Jolla is one of those places that somehow exceeds expectations every…read moresingle 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.

First time visiting Torrey Pines State Reserve, and the hiking trails and park itself were…read moreabsolutely stunning. We had limited time at the reserve, so we entered through the south entrance and paid $20 to enter and park. We then made our way up to the visitor center and had no issues finding parking. During our visit, we did the Guy Fleming Trail, which is a very easy and scenic 0.8-mile loop. The cliff views were dramatic and beautiful, and we also loved that the trail felt very peaceful and quiet. Afterward, we drove down to the beach lot and walked along the beach for about an hour to admire the cliffs from below. Overall, it was an amazing visit and one of our favorite stops in San Diego. I would definitely return again.

Such a beautiful day is always had here…read more Between the quiet solace of the sun while meandering along trails and the Pacific Ocean at the Torrey Pines State Reserve, and the drop-dead gorgeousness of the naturally occurring nature and its many varieties, your heart and peaceful spirit will always be soothed and satiated after spending a leisurely time here. Bring a friend, loved one, or significant other along to experience the abundance of the amazing beauty that still surrounds us today.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone--And Into a New Chapter…read more This weekend, I challenged myself to hike the Ho Chi Minh Trail in La Jolla. It's known to be steep, rugged, and unpredictable. When I arrived, I felt unprepared--others seemed more equipped, more confident. I considered backing out. But I didn't. I stuck with it. Step by step, I pushed through the discomfort and self-doubt. And when I reached the end, I wasn't just relieved--I felt alive. That quiet sense of accomplishment reminded me that growth doesn't happen in certainty; it happens in motion. #PersonalGrowth #ChallengeAccepted On my drive home, I spotted two butterflies--one a monarch, the other yellow. To me, they weren't just beautiful--they were symbolic. A monarch represents transformation. A yellow butterfly, joy and renewal. It felt like the universe's way of saying: "You're on the right path. Keep going." #Transformation #Joy After years of living in San Diego without truly connecting to it, I've decided: it's time I lived here for a change. This city has so much to offer--if I'm willing to explore it with fresh eyes and an open heart. #RediscoverSanDiego #ExploreMore As I move into a quieter season work-wise, I plan to fill that space with more meaningful experiences like this one. Nature. Movement. Presence. Rediscovery. #Mindfulness #NatureLover Because we don't always need a big shift to change our lives--sometimes, all it takes is a trail, a choice, and the courage to begin. #CourageToBegin #SmallSteps #successfultaxseason2025 #enjoyingthefruitsoflabor #beautyofnatureinSanDiego #Rebirth #meaningfulexperiences #lifeisbeautiful #utilizingfullyoffseasonfunactivities Just show my fitness I put myself through is working!!! #healthyfitnessinprogress. #12 walk - Ho Chi Man Trail

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.

Was a bit muddy the day I came as it rained early in the morning. Also, there was a section that…read morewas blocked off due to construction or repairs so I only walked a little past the bridge.

San Diego has many urban canyons, and this short trail happens to wind through the Bankers Hill…read moreneighborhood. The south trailhead was a block north of Laurel Street on the east side of I-5 near the off-site airport parking structures. Curbside parking on Maple Street was narrow and difficult to find. The trail was a brief half mile out and back winding north and east until you reach the Quince Street Bridge where the north trailhead was located. The dirt path was very wide and for the most part not steep. You come across an interesting set of cacti right before you pass beneath the First Avenue Bridge. As you look up at the steel girders, you can appreciate the engineering it took to create the structure. On the other hand, the Quince Street Bridge at the north end was made of wood to support a pedestrian walkway. It took less than 30 minutes to complete the back and forth. If you live nearby, the Maple Canyon Trail is a leisurely stroll where you can bring kids and dogs without difficulty for them. For those seeking a more challenging trek, other local urban hikes can fit the bill.

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.

Hubby and I hiking spot Cowels mountain beautiful place to…read morevisit Bring your hiking boots and night light for evening trails after sunset

A local and tourist fav!…read more Cowles Mountain is a San Diego classic and the highest point in the city (~1,593 ft.), which means this short hike hits HARD! The main trail is about 3 miles round-trip with a steady, rocky incline. Be prepared to have your heart pumping fast with some heavy breathing. Who needs a warm up? Just come here! There are other trails in the surrounding areas and the popular 5-Peak Challenge. It's on my bucket list for sure! Cowles is one of the most popular hikes in San Diego, so the timing matters. Early weekday mornings are ideal unless you enjoy crowds. Parking is usually easy with street spots and a small lot if you're lucky. There's a restroom, but not fully stocked or well-maintained. So use if absolutely necessary. Bring enough water (especially on a hot day), wear good shoes with grip since it can get rocky along the trail. Don't forget to stop a few times to admire the view on the way up! The payoff is worth it. You get a 360 degree view of San Diego from the oceans to the mountains. Short, steep, sweaty, and effective! 4 stars on a good day and still one of my favorite quick workouts to get the adrenaline pumping!

This is a quite beautiful trail and short too. There are actually two sections where you'll see a…read more'waterfall' so make sure you pay attention. There are some areas where the terrain is uneven and you'll be walking over rocks and some bigger rocks, so be cautious if you have bad ankles. It can also get muddy in some sections so don't wear shoes that you don't want to get dirty.

Good hike, the trails get a little confusing and could be marked a little better, but a nice hike,…read morenot very challenging, but a nice walk through nature, one trail, that starts to climb is fairly narrow, be careful. I saw a snake, didn't look threatening, but I don't know much about snakes, other favorite being the black mamba #Kobe!!! Another hiker alerted us that she had seen a few snakes on the way coming up, we were headed down, but didn't run into them. One trail runs along a creek, very peaceful. A wedding was taking place at the oak trail center. There's also a nice lap you could do around the reservoir, check out the personalized rock collection or leave one of your own!