Best Trails near San Diego, California

We started at the Equestrian Circle and hit both South and North Fortuna, then came back along the perimeter trail next to the 52. That section was extremely steep and gravely. Least favorite part for sure. Hiking shoes are a must, and watch out for rattlesnakes. We saw one right in the middle of our path. Our whole route was about 8 miles round trip and took about 3 hours to complete.

Simple, easy to follow trail with great views at the top.

The trail is nice enough but there is dog crap all over the trails and I would guess off trail too. I was there first week June 2018 and was lucky to see a mature and healthy looking bobcat!!

Great trail for a quick hike and a great view of San Diego. Bring water, it’s hot.

Amazing view! A little crowded and dog owners need to do a better job of cleaning up after their pets!!

Nice long but easy hike. Pretty views of the river along the way. Unfortunately it's tick haven right now. Also there was quite a bit of evidence of snakes on the trail. Be extra cautious with dogs and horses!

Good trail to walk. “Waterfall” wasn’t much. But overall it was nice.

I biked the suggested from Dairy Mart Rd to Friendship Park. Just amazing!

I really enjoyed this hike however labeling it as “moderate” is a misnomer. The Fortuna Mountain Summit part of the trail is listed as difficult, not moderate, on the signs there. it was a tough and rewarding hike but people should have a more accurate idea of what they are getting into with this one.

I have an 8 year old daughter who had never been hiking before. She pushed through it and was so proud of herself at the top. I think it’s the perfect challenge for kiddos around that age. Adult beginners too! The views at the top are incredible.

Loved starting from Barker Way as there was less people than you'd find starting at Cowles. Loved that a big part of the trail from Cowles to Pyles was shaded too!

Trail head is non existent, the best part was on the south side of the tracks which was hard to find. I only found it after a biker showed me where it was but construction there limits truly enjoying all of it. The best part is off of Gennesee south side of tracks otherwise you may end up on the north side and miss it due to the tracks. Plenty of wild flowers even white poppies?

This is in a national park and you have to pay to get in. I wish I would have read this before driving out here without money on me. Maybe another day.

My favorite of the 5 Peaks!

Pretty hard hike especially in the heat. Probably a piece of cake in the winter though. Bring a hat and sunscreen and food and a lot of water there’s a nice little shaded area by the river to relax but there isn’t much shade . This is an old military training ground there are possible explosives out in the brush, stay on the trail and you’ll be all good. Take a stop to the visitor center and cool down and use the bathroom. There’s art and a mini museum In there , it’s dope!!

Fun to see the City on foot!

Highways for days

Cool spot to for a quick ride. Other trails nearby that are pretty cool for mountain bikes

Great starter trail for Mountain Biking.

Nice surprise find

Very pleasant, shady, lots of birds. Trail is wide and smooth.

Very easy trail, plenty of afar so the vegetation is happy and green. There are always lots of other people and bikers, but the trail is so wide it’s easy to share.

Walked and ran some of this “trail” which actually an all paved walkway. Some parts of the path do not allow bikes/skateboards/scooters etc but people did anyway. Flat and easy path. Kid and dog safe. There are homeless along the path but not many and they didn’t bother anyway. If you have to go the bathroom there at least three public restrooms along the way. The harbor one (off the path near the hornblower ships) was the cleanest. I parked at the Embarcadero Marina Park parking lot, which is metered pay. Use a credit card (easiest) and it’s for 3 hours. Plenty of time to walk/run the path.

Nice quick and quiet trail. No real scenic spots but the overall vibe is a great little marsh like area with tons of birds and a nice little pond. Very well managed. People care about this trail

Peaceful trail with breathtaking views. Information signs about local wildlife and a few WWII-era structures keep the trail interesting, as do the natural surroundings themselves. I saw birds, bees, and even a small snake slithering across the trail. And the exposed yellow sandstone in one spot is really pretty. The all-downhill, then all-uphill factor makes it exhausting near the end, and I don't care for the very upper part that's just a paved road. But the bottom part of the trail is lovely. As for being wheelchair/stroller friendly, I wouldn't consider this trail to be suitable for either one. There is a short, paved panoramic loop behind the lighthouse that is accessible, but personally I wouldn't bring my stroller on this trail. I did bring my 2-year old twins with me but preferred to carry them both for short stretches rather than push 2 kids in a stroller uphill for a mile. And one more thing to consider: be prepared for no shade. I went on a cloudy morning, and it was perfect!

A nice hike showcasing the rugged beauty of San Diego’s cliffs. It’s gorgeous!! The trail is has steps built into the steeper slopes. Parts of the areas you can explore are dangerous, especially with little ones - I felt that I had to be very attentive and careful with my kids. It’s a pretty short trail, but you can also drive up to the lighthouse parking lot and walk the Bayside Trail or the shorter panoramic trails around the lighthouse. There is an entrance fee of $15 per car (good for one week), but $30 gets you an annual pass to this park. If you’re military, you can get a free annual pass for all the National Parks here.

Super easy trail to either walk or bike. Pathways are plenty wide for most of the trail, but be courteous of walkers if you're biking. Likewise, don't hog the trail if you're in a group. Parking is usually plentiful, and there are a lot of place to have a meal afterwards nearby.

Obviously a staple in the San Diego area. This trail is easily travelled by even children around 8 to 10. You'll probably have more trouble with crowds than the trail itself. Go as early as possible to avoid congestion. Plus, early morning views from the crest are amazing.

Very very nice trail! Great Lake views

Great hike, rocky, have gone with my friends, my hubby & kids (7, 11, 15) and also my mom in her 60s, go early 7 or 8, nice views, bring water and snack, can get crowded later in day. Breakfast or brunch at Trails Eatery after. Enjoy!