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    Ramona Grasslands Preserve

    4.4 (20 reviews)

    Ramona Grasslands Preserve Photos

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    I had no idea there was going to be a pond here! A nice surprise
    Grace S.

    My friend and I were looking for a fairly relaxing place to go for a hike. This isn't a hike though, more like a nice leisurely walk. We went mid afternoon on a hot day and was prepared to melt into a little puddle, expecting there to be little breeze and relentless heat from the sun. We were pleasantly surprised to find we were wrong as there are more trees than I had thought. Even a few ponds My friend and I opted to do both loops. Most of the way we got a nice breeze, and rarely did I ever feel the heat get to me. It was the perfect weather to go for a walk. So many squirrels, rabbits to look at. Some cows near the end of the loop. It was complete tranquility as we only saw a total of six people the entire time, mostly towards the end. We'd hear the occasional airplane fly by overhead, but besides that, nothing else but nature. The trails were all nicely kept, but beware of the occasional horse or cow dung (I'm guessing cow dung). It was refreshing not to have to deal with rocky trails that so many of San Diego trails seem to be full with so I didn't have to worry about twisting an ankle or two. It was a really great find. I hope to come back again. TL;DR: + Lots of wildlife + Quiet, some shade + Nice breeze + Good for walk for all ages + Nice wide trails

    Marcus F.

    Family-friendly hiking. You wouldn't think that walking a few miles through grasslands would be that interesting, but the Ramona Grasslands Preserve was a great experience. Hard to image that this is what San Diego used to look like. You can leisurely walk the trail here and take in the beautiful landscape at your own pace. If you're lucky, you can even get a close up look of wandering cattle. Pretty much anyone can walk this looping trail but there is one long hill that may require a break or two if you have small children. There's also a section of the trail that's a bit on the wilderness side. Tip - Make sure you do the Wildflower loop first, and if you're still up for it you can hike the other - smaller loop by the parking lot. - You can play fun games like "count the squirrels" with the kids - lots of Hawks and Turkey Vultures - Lots of horse poop and cow pies on the trail - View of Mt Woodson. - Under an airport so there's a lot of planes flying over.

    December 6, 2014. Hours vary throughout the year.
    Michelle S.

    LOVE this place. My favorite outing in Ramona. The panaromic views are breathtaking and it's amazing have such a truly country experience so close to civilization. Every visit is a different experience. Sometimes there are a lot of walkers, other times a lot of folks w/dogs, and most of the time at least a few people with their horses. I saw coyote pups there last summer! There are always a lot of birds and the past two times I've been, I've heard this hauntingly beautiful bird that I think might be a hermit thrush. Beware this is a cattle range. The cattle will generally walk away when people come near, but if you have some curious youngsters or bulls, just be careful. I don't think they'll charge intentionally, just don't back one into a corner!

    George E.

    One of my new things in life is when I'm in an area Google "Hiking trails near me", by doing this I've discovered trails that I've driven past for 30 or so years. I've driven past the road that leads to this trail a dozen or so times. This trail is a scenic 6 mile loop with varying degrees of elevation. There are some shady spots lots of sunny areas. I saw birds, ground squirrels, butterfly's a couple grasshoppers and several hikers a few of which were on horses. I didn't see any bikers. You are required to watch a video and pass a test to earn a permit to gain entry into the park. Anyone that can read this review will have no trouble passing the test. After passing the test and receiving my certificate I entered the preserve where I was imediately confused concerning the rules I read in taking the test and the posted rules. I saw a ranger. His name was Chris, a very friendly and helpful young man. He cleared up the confussion for me. He was able to answer all my questions and even thanked me for doing the training. The trail in parts can be used by walkers or Wheelchairs but there are parts I wouldn't recommend it . I really enjoyed my visit and will be back.

    B P.

    This preserve opened in July 2011. There are currently two trails available to use. The Meadow Loop is .8 miles. The Wildflower Loop is 2 miles. To get to the Wildflower Loop the connecting trail is .4 miles. There are three groups who actively use the preserve: hikers, bicyclist and horseback riders. Trail etiquette is such that bicyclist yield to hikers and horseback riders. Hikers yield to horseback riders. Horseback riders yield to no one. The Wildflower Loop if you take the trail to the left, you will come across a pond, where mallards, koots, and buffleheads frequently hang out on the water. The preserve also has cattle grazing the area on a rotating bases. There is an area behind the information kiosk at the start of the trails that look like a groom checker board pattern in the field. In each of those squares that have the longer grass is a manmade dens for the Kangaroo Rats. Because of how close these trails are to Ramona, a huge horse community, on any given day you will find horses on the trails. If you don't like horses and what they leave behind don't hike the preserve as you will find yourself trying to avoid constantly the "road apples". There tends to be a collection on the trails if it hasn't rain in awhile, the smell might offend some. The trails do get really dusty if it hasn't rain in awhile and as a hiker you find yourself hiking through several inches of dirt. Note that the ranger will close the preserve if 1/2 an inch or more of rain has fallen. It might take several days before it is re-open. Check the county website for park closer. They list that info in the Parks and Recreation page under news and events. Hours: Ramona Grasslands Preserve is open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the fall and winter and 8 a.m. - sunset during the summer months. Open 7 days a week year-round.

    Beauty
    Gina H.

    My favorite spot to get exercise. Right now I'm the only one out here. If you want to skip the craziness of Woodson or Iron Mountain, this is the place. There is a .8 mile loop and a 2 mile loop (but it takes .3 Mikes to get to it so it's almost 3 miles by the time you're done. Some days I do both loops. There are some hills buy nothing too strenuous unless you run up them or go as fast as you can. Wildlife is abundant. Crows, meadow larks, snakes, coyotes, hundreds of ground squirrel and cows. I love the peace and stillness here. Good for walking, jogging, horses and Mtn. Bikes.

    Carol G.

    Nicely kept trails and very quiet. This is one of my favorite places to hike around Ramona. Lots of wildlife and even a few benches along the trails. There is a short loop and a long loop. Both are very scenic.

    California Lilac

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

    It was a nice, wide-open walk. Very pretty and not too crowded either. Parking lot provided.

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Great hiking trail-easy. The views and area are fantastic. Great for pictures.

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    Ask the Community - Ramona Grasslands Preserve

    Review Highlights - Ramona Grasslands Preserve

    Tip - Make sure you do the Wildflower loop first, and if you're still up for it you can hike the other - smaller loop by the parking lot.

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    Cedar Creek Falls

    Cedar Creek Falls

    4.4
    (358 reviews)
    14.8 mi

    If you are a San Diego hiker and haven't done this hike- WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???…read more And for those of you who see these photos and think damn I need to go do that, please be aware of the temperature because it is dangerously hot down there at lower temperatures than in other areas. The hike goes down into a canyon and the heat settles down there. Even if it's not as hot as you think coming up can be extremely dangerous. Every year I hear about somebody dying from heat stroke on that hike so don't take it lightly. I always check the weather on the actual trail using the AllTrails app. I saw that the weather out there was max 65° that day and I was like hell yeah. The hike really isn't that difficult, 3 miles down and then 3 miles back up. Lots of nice switchbacks, and there are a few sun shelters for shade. The views are gorgeous all along the trail. I've done this hike, probably 20 times over the years. It's the best in the spring and in the fall. In the winter it's way too cold. The reward for this hike is the gorgeous rock bowl and waterfall that the locals call Devils Punchbowl. This past Thursday when we did this hike, there were a lot of young folks at the Punchbowl when we got there. Some of the guys were climbing up and jumping into the water. I would not recommend it, even if the waterfall is still flowing that water is not safe to swim in. In the fall, the waterfall doesn't flow anymore after being dried out over the brutal summer, but the trees at the bottom of the canyon turn a beautiful gold color. One of the few places in San Diego you can actually experience fall.

    Great trail! Well-marked path down to and back up from the falls. Gorgeous water feature!read more

    Photos
    Cloud porn in the beginning of our hike!
    Cloud porn in the beginning of our hike!
    Awesome day with one of my best girlfriends
    Awesome day with one of my best girlfriends
    Morning frost

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    Morning frost
    Kumeyaay Trail

    Kumeyaay Trail

    4.0
    (1 review)
    10.1 mi

    The Kumeyaay Trail is a trail that hugs Lake Wohlford's North shore…read more Parking is free at the Lake Wohlford Ranger Station so just park and walk East to find the trail entrance. Note that the trail isn't marked very well, and you'll have to use trail intuition to find your way in the overgrown areas. The trail is mostly dirt, small boulders, and large flat smooth rocks. Expect mud and sand in some areas next to the lake. Not the best hike if you have bad knees. The actual hike was fun ( early spring after many large rainstorms). You'll walk by several Oak Trees and many wildflowers blooming. This is a birders paradise as many waterfowl make their homes here. It's about 4.5 miles there and back unless you are foolish and decided to walk around the ENTIRE LAKE.. That will make your hike 5.5 total. Note there is NO TRAIL to connect Kumeyaay to the South trails on the other side of the lake. Foolishness - So, once you walk to the end of the Kumeyaay Trail ( there is a private property gate) you might get the harebrained idea to cut through the swamp to get to the south side of the lake.. Okay, we did it ( with three kids).. There are a few things to know before deciding to cut across the mash to the other side.. Much of your hike will be through a large stinging nettle forest. If you're wearing shorts forget about going to the other side of the lake. If you have long pants / jeans you should be okay. Next you'll have to go through various reeds and muck. Then you'll have to cross a small stream about ten feet wide, a few feet deep.. You're going to get your shoes wet unless you're one hell of a long jumper. Finally, you'll have to ascend up a vertical cliff to get up to a road..One you're on the South Side of Lake Wohlford you still have a long way to hike to get back to your car. There is no shortcut and you'll have to walk along the busy Lake Wholford Rd for over a mile. Worth it?? Yeah it was pretty adventurous. - Tips I wouldn't kike this trail in the summer. There are soooo many places for rattlesnakes to hide.

    Photos
    River to cross if you want to get to the other side of lake.
    River to cross if you want to get to the other side of lake.
    Kumeyaay Trail
    Kumeyaay Trail

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    Ramona Grasslands Preserve - hiking - Updated June 2026

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