Laguna Meadow is one of the natural marvels of San Diego County. This massive, multi-limbed meadow encompasses several square miles of territory in San Diego's Laguna Mountain range, and it offers a multitude of different recreational activities. It's hard to overstate the beauty and uniqueness of this place as nothing in Southern California is quite …
Engelmann Oak Loop, revisited
The Engelmann Oak Loop lies on the northern portion of Daley Ranch in Escondido. The loop travels through numerous stretches of oak woodland comprised of coast live oaks and Engelmann oaks. This serene, peaceful mesa hike offers some of the finest coastal hiking in all of San Diego.Distance: 5.1Elevation Gained: 800'Difficulty: ModerateTime: 2:30Critters: rabbits, hawks, …
Mission Trails Regional Park: South Fortuna, Oak Canyon, Junipero Serra
Mission Trails Regional Park is a 5,800 acre natural preserve situated entirely within the city limits of San Diego. A municipal park this size is so rare that Mission Trails ranks as the sixth largest municipally-park in the country, as well as the largest in Southern California. It features numerous rocky peaks with great views …
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Daley Ranch – Engelmann Oak Loop
Distance: 5.1 MilesElevation Gained: 800'Difficulty: ModerateTime: 2:05Critters: Hip-hop hares!!!Pros:- All the fun of Daley Ranch's Engelmann Oak Loop- Plus beautiful golden hour lighting- My baby joined me!Cons:- NoneDetails:Cougar Pass Road - Engelmann Oak Loop - Bobcat TrailKelly and I somehow both miraculously had Memorial Day off. In the past, the chances of this happening were …
The Best Hikes in San Diego
About one year ago, I posted this blog to showcase what I think are the best hikes in San Diego. Since then, I've experienced more and changed my mind a few times, thus necessitating some updates. This updated version features ten more hikes, ranked in a purely subjective way. You may consider this a resource …
Volcan Mountain
Volcan Mountain Fire Road - Five Oaks TrailDistance: 5.2Elevation Gained: 1,200'Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous Time: 2:00Critters: None to speak of Volcan Mountainhttp://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swfEveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near San Diego, Californiahttp://www.everytrail.com/trip/widgetimpression?trip_id=1551716Pros:- Great views of Julian, the desert, and East County- Beautiful oak woodlandsCons:- Jerry Schad did me dirtyDetails:Volcan Mountain is the high point of the mountains …
Kanaka Flat Loop and 500 Miles
Coast to Crest Trail - Kanaka Flat Loop TrailDistance: 7.4 MilesElevation gained: 800'Difficulty: ModerateTime: 3:00Critters: Deer, wild turkeys, quail, rabbits, squirrels, and enough beef to keep Chicago chubby.Pros:- Lovely, green grass and oak woodland- A vast, rolling, green meadowCons:- Cow crap- I got charged by this cow:Details:Well, maybe the machine gun was a bit of …
Daley Ranch, revisited (and updated).
Creek Crossing Trail - East Ridge Trail - Jack Creek Meadow Trail - Hidden Spring Trail - Engelmann Oak Loop Trail - Cougar Ridge Trail - Boulder Loop Trail - Rock Ridge Trail - La Honda RoadDistance: 11.1 Miles (Day 1) and 5.1 Miles (Day 2)Elevation: 2,000' (Day 1) and 800' (Day 2)Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous …
San Diego Local Hikes
If you look through this blog, you might get the impression that I spend all of my time hiking in spectacular places. While I do spend a decent chunk of time in relatively far-flung locales, climbing hills, snapping shots, and otherwise pummeling my knees and hamstrings into submission, these places are simply too far away …
Torrey Pines Beach and Preserve
Torrey Pines Beach - Beach Trail - Parry Grove Trail - Guy Fleming TrailDistance: 8 MilesElevation Gained: 300Difficulty: ModerateTime: 2:38Critters: Roadrunners, gulls, hawks, godwits, and a naked man doing jumping jacks Torrey Pines beach and reservehttp://www.everytrail.com/swf/widget.swfEveryTrail - Find the best Hiking near Del Mar, Californiahttp://www.everytrail.com/trip/widgetimpression?trip_id=1531373Pros:- Miles of undisturbed coastline and cliffs- Rare Torrey pinesCons:- Very …
scott turner hikes 