Planet of the Oaks

Fall Color Hike in Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve in San Diego

Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts large canopies created by the black oaks, the deciduous member of the quintet.

The black-oak leaf show is short-lived, but you’ll find deep ambers and faded oranges along the trail. For those still holding on to the spooky fun of Halloween, exploring the gothic features of all five oaks, plus that chaparral classic, manzanita, is worth the trail’s 859 feet of elevation gain.

The trail starts directly off the road, and shortly thereafter you’ll see a specially designed trail entrance known as the Hubbell Gateway. James Hubbell, a renowned architect and artist, designed this entrance in 1990 to help people appreciate the special place that is the Volcan Mountain Wilderness. The gateway is built of native rock and cedar beams collected from and milled on Palomar Mountain.

The trail winds around the hillsides and has a steady incline. At 0.7 mile, on the right side you’ll see the actual trailhead for Five Oaks Trail, marked by a sign and stone steps. During this portion of the trail the foliage will go from wide open—allowing expansive views of the hillsides—to densely shaded, creating a tunnel of branches and leaves. You’ll ascend short switchbacks and long open sections, but you’ll know you’ve reached the end of the trail when it links back into Volcan Mountain Trail.

A good turnaround point is a stone bench just off the trail at a plateau overlook. This is a perfect spot to rest and take in the panoramic view of San Diego County’s evergreen rolling hillsides.

From CA-78 north of Julian, turn onto Wynola Rd. and continue 3.5 miles; then turn right on Farmer Rd. The first right is the trailhead. Roadside parking is available. Parking coordinates: 33.105198, -116.602477. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Taking the Stage: Tyler Ranch

    Hike the recently opened Tyler Ranch Staging Area in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, with 18 miles of new trails. This 6.5-mile loop up Sunol Peak is a challenge and rewards with exceptional views of seasonal iridescent hills.

    View
  2. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike (and Manly Lake Vista!) at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. On clear days you get views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous U.S. 

    View
  3. Swing into Spring

    Swing into this 7.1-mile hike in the hills of Half Moon Bay! It’s got gorgeous views, fields of spring wildflowers, and a hidden rustic tree swing.

    View
  4. The Carson Show

    Carson Falls is ready for primetime. This three-tiered, 100-foot stunner is hidden back in a canyon outside of Fairfax and reached on a 3.25-mile (round-trip) hike.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Lava Lava

    Once a land of volcanic activity, Mojave National Preserve shares plenty about its past via a quick yet adventurous hike to the Lava Tube in the Cima Dome Volcanic Field.

    View
  2. Kelso Dunes

    The hike to the top of Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve is only 3 miles (out and back), but you’ll feel like you’ve hiked much farther by the time you’re done.

    View
  3. William Kenyon Overlook

    Some of the best vistas of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are easily accessible via a short and sweet 1.25-mile (round-trip) hike just off the CA-78. Enter your next favorite desert viewpoint: the William Kenyon Overlook.

    View
  4. Beaudry Bountiful

    There are no cars allowed on Beaudry Loop, but this 6-mile hike takes you on a wild ride. You’ll be climbing 1,500 feet up the southern Verdugos along a chaparral-lined trail with gorgeous mountain and urban vistas every step of the way.

    View