While crossing this creek, enjoy wildflowers and the soothing sounds of the water.
While crossing Escondido Creek, enjoy wildflowers and the soothing sounds of the water. Then go uphill on the Botanical Loop Trail to descend back to the staging area (about a 1-mile round trip). Choose to continue on the Way Up Trail to the top of the ridge for spectacular views. This is an intermediate 3-mile hike with an elevation change of 1000 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8:30–11:30 AM.
(Escondido) From I-15, exit west on Valley Pkwy. and go 1 mile. Turn right on Avenida Del Diablo and go 0.6 mile. Turn right on Citracado Pkwy. and go 0.1 mile. Turn left on Harmony Grove Village Pkwy. and go 0.4 mile. Turn left on Harmony Grove Rd. and go 2.2 miles to the Reserve's parking area on the left. Alternate route: From I-5, exit east on La Costa Ave. and go 4 miles. Turn left on Rancho Santa Fe Rd. and go 1.7 miles. Turn right on San Elijo Rd. and go 1.5 miles. Turn right on Elfin Forest Rd. and go 2.7 miles. Continue on Harmony Grove Rd. and go 1.7 miles to the Reserve's parking area on the right. Facilities. (GPS N33.087299, W117.145451)
This challenging hike will allow you to see inspring vistas and a remarkable assortment of flowering plants.
See inspiring vistas and a remarkable assortment of flowering plants, with something blooming nearly every month of the year on a network of trails to and around Double Peak in San Marcos' Cerro de la Posas Hills. This is an intermediate 6-mile hike with an elevation change of 1400 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8 AM–1 PM.
(San Marcos) From CA-78 exit south on Twin Oaks Valley Rd. (exit 13) and go 0.7 mile. Turn right on Craven Rd. and go 0.6 mile. Turn left on Foxhall Rd. and go 0.2 mile to Discovery Lake Park. Park either on the lot or along the street. Facilities. (GPS N33.125250, W117.178541)
With the chance of finding two species of wild orchids and ripening berry plants, this hike is a winner!
This loop has excellent views along the trail at Boucher Hill. Stop at a California Registered historical fire lookout tower at an elevation of 5348 feet. With the chance of finding two species of wild orchids and ripening berry plants, this hike is a winner! This is an intermediate 4-mile hike with an elevation change of 1050 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8:30 AM–12:30 PM.
(Palomar Mountain) Take I-15 N past Escondido, exiting on CA-76 east toward Pala. Go 20 miles, then take the South Grade Rd. (S-6) for 6.7 miles. Turn left at the intersection of S6 and S7 and immediately turn left on S-7 (State Park Rd., just before the store and restaurant) and go 3 miles to Palomar Mountain State Park. Turn in at the first left past the Park entrance and meet the Canyoneer host in the Silver Crest Picnic Area parking lot. A $10 day use fee or a California State Park Pass is required for each vehicle (1 day for $10.00). Day use passes can be purchased at a kiosk or Iron Ranger, depending on the location. Note: Any Day Use pass is valid at all locations that require a pass within the park. See https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 for more information. Facilities. (GPS N33.332127, W116.906599)
Enjoy views of the Cuyamaca Reservoir and nearby peaks of the Cuyamaca Mountains.
Follow this switchback trail to granitic Stonewall Peak, elevation 5,730 feet. Enjoy views of Cuyamaca Reservoir and nearby peaks of the Cuyamaca Mountains. This is an intermediate 4-mile hike with an elevation change of 1050 feet. The hike is scheduled from 9 AM–12:30 PM.
(Cuyamaca Rancho State Park) From I-8 E, exit at CA-79. Turn left and go 2.6 miles. Turn left to stay on CA-79 and go 9.3 miles to the entrance of the Paso Picacho Campground. Meet the Canyoneer host in the parking lot. A Day Use Fee or California State Park Pass is required for each vehicle (1 day for $10.00). Day use passes can be purchased at a kiosk or Iron Ranger, depending on the location. Note: Any Day Use pass is valid at all locations that require a pass within the park. See https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 for more information. Facilities. (GPS N32.959647, W116.579154)
An easy hike never felt so good. Make your way to a small reservoir that attracts birds and other animals.
Take a stroll through the canyon toward a small reservoir that attracts birds and other animals. This is part of a greenbelt area that sustains native vegetation in the area formerly known as Camp Elliott. This is an easy 2-mile hike with an elevation change of 150 feet. The hike is scheduled from 9–11 AM.
(Tierrasanta) From I-15, exit east on Clairemont Mesa Blvd. for 0.9 mile. Turn left on Santo Rd. and go 0.1 mile. Turn right on Remora St. Continue onto Gabacho Dr. and park. Walk north on Santo Rd. to the trailhead. Alternate route: From CA-52, exit south on Santo Rd. and go 0.9 mile. Turn left on Remora St. Continue onto Gabacho Dr. and park. Walk north on Santo Rd. to the trailhead. No facilities. (GPS N32.830932, W117.102638)
This hike passes under large pine and oak trees toward an ephemeral pond.
This hike passes under large pine and oak trees as it winds through Laguna Meadow and then loops behind the ridge on the Sunset Trail for some spectacular views. Stop at Water-of-the-Woods, an ephemeral pond, for a snack break before heading back to the parking location. This is an intermediate 6-mile hike with an elevation change of 600 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8 AM–1 PM.
(Mount Laguna) From I-8 E, exit on the Sunrise Highway (S-1). Turn left and go 5.5 miles. Park along the side of the road. Meet the Canyoneer host on the left side of the road opposite the wooden information platform on the right. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cleveland/passes-permits/recreation#adventure for more information. No facilities. (GPS N32.860806, W116.462050)
Enjoy a variety of native and non-native plants in this coastal canyon south of San Dieguito Lagoon.
Enjoy a variety of native and non-native plants in this coastal canyon south of San Dieguito Lagoon. The trail ascends gradually into the canyon through sage scrub and chaparral habitats. This is an easy 2-mile hike with an elevation change of 400 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8–10 AM.
(Del Mar) From I-5, exit west on Via de la Valle for 0.3 mile. Turn left on Jimmy Durante Blvd. and go 0.9 mile. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto San Dieguito Dr. and go 0.6 mile. This becomes Racetrack View Dr. Continue through the stop sign and park on the road shoulder at the Crest Canyon kiosk. No facilities. (GPS N32.962883, W117.255278)
You'll get to see all the goods along this riverine hike—chaparral, riparian, and meadow habitats
Start at the falls and then hike along the east side of the Sweetwater River. After crossing to the west side of the river, return through chaparral, riparian, and meadow habitats. This is an intermediate 6-mile hike with an elevation change of 1100 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8:30 AM–1:30 PM.
(Cuyamaca Rancho State Park) From I-8 E, exit at CA-79. Turn left and go 2.6 miles. Turn left to stay on CA-79 and go 4.2 miles. Turn left into the Green Valley Campground. Park at the falls day-use parking lot past campsite #76. A Day Use Fee or California State Park Pass is required for each vehicle (1 day for $10.00). Day use passes can be purchased at a kiosk or Iron Ranger, depending on the location. Note: Any Day Use pass is valid at all locations that require a pass within the park. See https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 for more information. Facilities. (GPS N32.903104, W116.580471)