San Diego hiking 101

With the weather warming up, Toreros are spending more time outside. With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to explore the outdoors.  Here are a few the local hiking spots surrounding the San Diego area.

John McNicholas | Contributor | USD Vista

Los Peñasquitos

Carmel Valley 

Located about 25 minutes from USD’s campus,  Los Peñasquitos trail is a relatively easy trail for Toreros to visit. The trail is located in a large canyon between Mira Mesa and Carmel Valley. It follows the path of the meandering Peñasquitos Creek with a variety of shrubs and foliage. Small wild animals such as birds and squirrels can often be found along this trail. The trail is a seven-mile loop, but is mostly flat and an intermediate trail for Toreros looking to build their hiking skills. Los Peñasquitos is also a good place for beginning mountain bikers to learn the sport. One of the main highlights is that dogs with a leash are allowed.

A great time to visit is right after it rains, so hikers can enjoy a running creek and look for wildlife in ponds along the creek bed. The trail also features a few waterfalls for hikers to enjoy year round. Los Peñasquitos is a great place to experience what San Diego has to offer beyond its beautiful coastline.

Cowles Mountain 

Santee

Cowles Mountain trail is about 25 minutes east from USD’s campus. Located in Santee, Cowles Mountain trail leads hikers to the highest point in San Diego. For this very reason, it attracts thrill seekers from all over San Diego County and Southern California. The trail is three miles long roundtrip and has an elevation gain of 912 feet from start to finish. The hour  long hike provides a great view of the San Diego county.

Views at the top of this trail are some of the best in San Diego and include downtown San Diego, the Pacific Ocean, Mexico, North San Diego, and Orange County. A variety of wildflowers can be found along the trail and on a least dogs are allowed on the trail.

The trail is steep and is recommended for more experienced hikers due to the challenging inclines it provides. The trail’s popularity can make it very crowded on weekends. Cowles Mountain is a great way for Toreros looking for an outdoor adventure to challenge themselves.

Torrey Pines State Park 

La Jolla 

Towering 300 feet above the Pacific on striking sandstone bluffs, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is the crown jewel of the gem of San Diego­ — La Jolla. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is located directly north of the La Jolla Shores and south of Del Mar, about 25 minutes from USD. Because the reserve is home of the rare Torrey pine, only found in this region of the world, hiking Torrey Pines can be an experience like no other. The Natural Reserve consists of six separate trails that run along the bluffs and to the beach. The Sagion trail runs from La Jolla Farms Road to Black’s Beach and follows the path of a natural creek to the ocean. A steep descent begins the trail at the top and runs through eroded and carved rock formations.

Many caves can be found along the trail for hikers to enjoy and explore. Another highlight of this trail is the water-carved pathways that are used to access the beach. After thousands of years of erosion by water, the rocks have been carved into smooth and winding pathways. Along the trail is a single wooden plank that bridges a small canyon. Crossing this wooden plank adds to the overall thrill and excitement of this trail. One of the main highlights is the beautiful beach and waterfall at the end. Water slowly cascades off the moss-covered bluff into a sparkling stream that leads directly to the ocean. Many small ponds and smaller waterfalls can also be found at the beach end of the trail. Hikers descend the final steep cliff while holding onto a rope that leads to the beach.  Upon exiting the trail at the beach, hikers are greeted by a striking view of the towering bluffs above the water and downcoast views of La Jolla shores, Scripps Pier, and La Jolla Peninsula.

Another unique aspect of the beach is the towering bluffs above the water, devoid of all development and human activity, provide a unique feel that is reminiscent of the early 1900s in California, prior to mass development of the coastal areas. Torrey Pines is among the best places to experience the natural beauty of San Diego.

Del Mar Bluffs 

Del Mar

Located along the southern coastline of Del Mar and directly north of Torrey Pines is the Del Mar Bluffs hiking trail. The trail begins at the southern city limit and rolls along the bluff all the way into Del Mar’s downtown area. Access to the trail is easy as parking can be found along any of the neighborhood streets leading up to the bluff. The bluff itself is so close only about 60 feet high and has many pathways for hikers to climb down and make a stop at the beautiful beach below. For Toreros just beginning to hike, this is a great starter trail.

The trail runs for about one and a half miles in each direction and is three miles roundtrip. It is mostly flat for its entire duration and offers beautiful views of the crashing waves below and sandstone formations along the bluff. Along this trail hikers can find a variety of wildflowers and coastal brush. The entire coastline of North San Diego from La Jolla to Oceanside can be seen from this trail. One thing to keep in mind at Del Mar Bluffs is that the train tracks are in close proximity and have to be crossed to access the trail. Hikers should be aware of incoming trains at all times. The combination of the beautiful beach below and sweeping coastline views from the trail make Del Mar Bluffs a memorable place to hike.