All Stories from San Diego County

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  Encinitas Ranch

  Beautiful Torrey pines, striking sandstone bluffs, mountain and ocean vistas ... find these trademark San Diego features on an unassuming suburban hike at Encinitas Ranch in North San Diego County.

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  Manchester Hidden Gem

  Hike a hidden gem in San Diego County: Manchester Preserve is a 123-acre canyon with a winding trail network best explored on a 2.25-mile perimeter loop.

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  Holiday at the Rancho

  Visit the beautifully restored 27-acre Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, a cultural gem in Carlsbad that can be explored as part of a serene 2-mile loop and has an upcoming holiday tree-lighting and festivities event.

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  Buena Vista Lagoon

  Take an easygoing wander at Buena Vista Lagoon in Carlsbad, then visit neighboring Carlsbad City Beach for a 1.25-mile out-and-back beach stroll that includes the lagoon’s connecting point with the Pacific Ocean.

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  Hosp Grove Forest Bathing

  Forest bathe as you wander among one of the densest displays of eucalyptus trees via an accessible 3-mile adventure at Hosp Grove Park in Carlsbad.

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  Volcan High Five!

  The moderate 5.5-mile round-trip Volcan Mountain/Five Oaks loop hike in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian transports you from lush farmland to a summit with panoramic views. And the hard cider post-hike bonus...

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  Border Field State Park

  Border Field State Park is the southernmost point in California as well as one of the last beautiful undeveloped coastlines in the state. Visit this natural refuge for a 4.5-mile hike featuring important history and wildlife habitats, plus stunning SoCal beach scenery.

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  Bluffing Good!

  Pristine coastline, beautiful beaches, unique geological history, and picturesque sandstone cliffs with limited foot traffic in San Diego County? We promise we aren’t bluffing! Head to San Onofre State Beach and the 5-mile San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail.

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  Secret Trail at Torrey Pines

  Find cliff climbs, sandy strolls, and secret hikes throughout “America’s finest sandy stretch" at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve in San Diego County.

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  Skip School for the Beach

  Head to UCSD (University of California, San Diego) for a campus stroll followed by a hike down sandstone cliffs to Black’s Beach in La Jolla.

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  Hodges and Hodgee Monster

  Escondido’s Lake Hodges is one of the most beautiful lake settings in San Diego, with Kumeyaay history, phenomenal birdwatching, a world-record-holding bridge, and a resident lake monster!  Do a 5.5-mile shoreline hike here ...  

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  Miramarvelous

  Hike a 5-mile loop around Lake Miramar that never loses sight of the reservoir and features charming docks, dense chaparral forests, and plenty of local waterfowl. 

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  Go For Guajome

  Head to Guajome County Park in Oceanside for a hidden lake twofer hike via a 4-mile loop trail traversing most of the 394-acre haven.

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  On A Mission

  Feeling dammed up? Head for Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego for a 3-mile out-and-back trail that features a historic dam, ancient oaks, and a fresh perspective on the value of green space.

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  La Mesa Secret Stairs

  Step up to 2021 on a secret stairway hike in San Diego’s east county. Head to La Mesa for a 1.4-mile (lollipop loop) historical urban adventure with secret stairs, postcard panoramas, and bonus brews!

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  Twice As Nice

  The best hidden peak in San Diego is actually two peaks! Twin Peaks in Poway sit at 1,309 and 1,251 feet, respectively. Bag both on a 2-mile loop that rewards with classic views and solitude.

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  Kwaay Paay All the Way

  Kwaay Paay peak seems modest as the fourth tallest of five in Mission Trails Regional Park, but don’t underrate this gem. Its panoramic views are among the best in San Diego on this 2.5-mile loop.

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  This Walk Rocks

  Go on a 2.5-mile out-and-back hike along the San Diego River and find the colorful “Covid-19 Rock Snake,” a project encouraging people to spread joy and kindness by adding to the chain of artful rocks.

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  Holy Cowles!

  Enjoy late day-sun vistas on a 3-mile (round-trip) hike to the summit of Cowles Mountain in Mission Trails Regional Park. Located in San Diego, this summit is the city’s tallest at 1,593 feet.

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  Viking Hiking (and Mead)

  Go on a secret gems hike at Buena Vista Park, including a hidden wetland with ferocious beasts (okay, it’s a pond with cute ducks!). Afterwards, reward yourself at Twisted Horn Mead and Cider.

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