SAN DIEGO, CA—After their summer hiatus, the Canyoneers are looking forward to launching their 52nd hiking season on September 7. The new season includes 60 unique hiking opportunities between now and June 2026 that allow people to enjoy, explore, and discover San Diego’s natural landscapes.
Hikes are led by the Canyoneers, volunteer naturalists trained by Museum scientists, to teach participants about our region’s rich flora and fauna, diverse landscapes, and natural history.
“San Diego County is one of the most biodiverse regions in the country,” said Samantha Barlin, President of the San Diego Natural History Museum Canyoneers. “Our program offers such a beautiful diversity of hikes, we truly have something for everyone—there’s so much to explore.”
This year, 14 new hikes have been added to the schedule. Bridge to Nowhere in Eagle Peak Preserve, Kwaamii Point in Cleveland National Forest, and Ash Wash in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are just a few examples of the new trails they’ll be exploring. Hikes are free, but advance registration is appreciated. Participants can register at sdnat.org/canyoneers.
The long-awaited second edition of Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors is also being released in early September. This hiking guide was originally published in 2016 and sold 12,000 copies.
The book is so much more than the typical hiking guide—it encourages readers to stop, look, listen, touch, smell, and examine to understand that everything is connected in nature, much like being on a nature walk with a Canyoneer.
The second edition features:
Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors gives the public an opportunity to explore all the different ecosystems in our beautiful county. From towering mountains to quiet deserts, from fabulous forests to gorgeous grasslands, and from coastal wetlands to ocean views, this book has something for everyone. It can be purchased at Gold Leaf (the Museum’s gift shop), or online for $32.95.
For more information about the Canyoneers, a complete schedule of hikes, and to register, visit the Canyoneer website at sdnat.org/canyoneers.
About the San Diego Natural History Museum
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is one of California’s oldest and most respected cultural and scientific institutions. Founded in 1874 by a small group of citizen scientists, the Museum works to preserve and protect this amazing place we call home. The Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 in Balboa Park. For more information, call 877.946.7797 or visit sdnat.org. Follow The Nat on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
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For images of our Canyoneers in action, click here.
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Paula Sternberg, Science Communications Manager, psternberg@sdnhm.org, 619.255.0220