Hiking Spots Near San Diego, California

1. Sunset Cliffs

The view from Sunset Cliffs is so beautiful that it has become a popular wedding destination. Sunset Cliffs Natural Park was established in 1968 to protect this magnificent and valuable natural resource. It is a 68-acres stretch of land along the Pacific Ocean near the edge of Point Loma. About 50 acres of the hillside is a conservation area and a part of the Point Loma Ecological Reserve. It includes rough coastal bluffs, sea caves, and arches. There is a 1.8-mile trail along the cliff, surrounded by sagebrush, yerba santa, coast paintbrush, California sunflower, and other native plants. It is also a good spot for watching California gray whales. There are steep stairs leading down to the beach.

1253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107

2. Torrey Pines Hiking Trails

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is 2,000-acre park about half an hour from La Jolla in San Diego, California. The park is famous for rare endemic Torrey pines, which grow along the trails, together with wildflowers, ferns, cacti, and other native plants. All Torrey Pines Hiking Trails start off from North Torrey Pines Road and together make a very pleasant 5.6-mile hike. The Guy Fleming Trail is an easy 0.6-mile loop that passes by two overlooks with spectacular views of the ocean. The Parry Grove Trail is a secluded trail that starts at the Whitaker Garden, with 100 steep steps. The High Point Trail is short but steep, being 100 yards long with steps. It offers fantastic view of the Reserve Lagoon. The Razor Point Trail leads to the famous Razor Point Overlook, offering a dramatic view of the sandstone gorge and old gnarled trees.

12600 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037

3. Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain is the peak of a small mountain between the city of Poway and the community of Ramona, and is one of San Diego’s the most popular hikes. The main trail is 5.3 miles long and well marked, but with the elevation gain of almost 1,000 feet and some rough steep sections, it can be challenging. The main trail starts just off Highway 67 and goes straight through a beautiful tunnel of trees. After that, the trail is mostly exposed and climbs gradually. Flat parts of the trail alternate with sections that are rough and steep. The view is beautiful all along the way and you will meet lot of hikers; it is not a place for solitude.

14847-14909 California Hwy 67, Poway, CA 92064

4. Oakoasis Open Space Preserve

The Oakoasis Open Space Preserve was established to protect coast live oaks, meadows, and chaparral in the area that overlooks the San Vicente Reservoir. The 2.5-mile trail through the preserve offers a serene, often solitary hike in the shade of an old oak grove and a lush diverse mix of local flora. The lakeside lilac that grows along the trail puts on quite a show of purple blooms in the spring. After that, the trail descends steeply towards a dense grove of coast live oaks. There is an observation point with the lovely view of the San Vicente Reservoir. This is a nice hike to do with the kids and you even can bring the dog, too.

12620 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside, CA 92040

5. Mine Peak

Mine Peak is a fairly unknown, relatively short 2.4-mile hike in the fabulous Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. With an elevation gain of 750 feet, it is moderately challenging. The trail starts on Dolomite Mine Road, on a flat space that is used as a camping ground. Walk towards the mine ruins and climb above the mine until you find an unmarked informal trail that runs along a ridge heading northeast. This is the most challenging part – you will gain 500 feet in half a mile. It gets much easier once you get to the Coyote Mountains main ridge. Going north for 0.1 of a mile will take you to the best spot for watching sunset vistas. The peak is due east another 0.2 of a mile with an easy walk.

200 Palm Canyon Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004, Video

6. Cowles Mountain

Cowles Mountain is the tallest mountain in San Diego and is one of the favorite hiking destinations on a weekend. The main trail is 3 miles long and gains 918 feet in elevation, making it challenging if you are not fit. The dirt trail is wide and in most parts flat, with some rocky stretches. You will reach the peak of the mountain at 1,593 feet, and the spectacular view of the city and ocean beyond makes the climb well worth it.

7. El Cajon Mountain

El Cajon Mountain is part of the Cuyamaca Mountains and San Diego’s main natural landmark. It is better known as El Capitan and it is a very popular hiking destination for the city’s adrenaline junkies as it is the most difficult and dangerous hike in the area. It is 11 miles long and you will gain 4,000 feet in elevation, which means going up and up almost all the way. About halfway on the way up you will have to climb about 600 feet of steep rock walls and over a number of huge boulders. You will feel it in every muscle, but the view of the Cuyamaca Mountains from the top is spectacular.

8. Cedar Creek Falls

Cedar Creek Falls is a very popular hiking destination near Ramona, with the trailhead on Eagle Peak Road. The moderately difficult 3-mile trail descends towards the valley until it reaches a waterfall that drops 80 feet down into a cool, clear pool popularly known as the Devil’s Punchbowl. The trail on the way down is pleasantly shaded and surrounded by local plants such as scrub oak, catclaw acacia, poodle-dog bush, California buckwheat, and sage. Enjoy a swim at the pool because on the way back you will pay for the pleasure: The elevation gain up the hill is 1,102 feet.

15519 Thornbush Rd, Ramona, CA 92065

9. Mount Woodson

Mount Woodson is located in the geographic center of the San Diego urban area, so climbing to its top means fantastic views of the whole area and the ocean beyond. The 6.4-mile, very challenging hike with 1,800 feet of elevation gain means a lot of climbing. You will also hop over some amazing massive granite boulders with some pretty strange shapes. The most famous one is a granite sliver called the "Potato Chip," which looks like its floating in the air; nobody can resist taking a photo at its tip.

14644 Lake Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064