Coast to Crest Cruiser

Lake Hodges Bike Ride in San Diego

Imagine a multi-use trail that extends from Volcan Mountain in the pine-studded forests of Julian to the coastal city of Del Mar—nearly 70 miles away. This dream is set to become a (complete!) reality in the next year, but you can get a solid sneak peek on a 20-mile out-and-back ride on the proposed 50-mile Coast to Crest stretch of the trail. Begin at Lake Hodges in Rancho Bernardo, where you’ll cross under the I-15 bridge to pedal along the shores of Lake Hodges, enjoying some nice singletrack and frequent views of the lake. Purple-blooming ceanothus covers the hillsides this time of year.

At the northern end of Lake Hodges the route will traverse a hilly section—but don't worry! You'll get to enjoy a long downhill near the Del Dios Dam. Stop for pictures at the dam, then return along the same route, watching for the resident osprey or the breeding western grebes that fill Lake Hodges in the springtime.

lakehodges2-image-jpeg

Take I-15 to Escondido. Exit at Via Rancho Pkwy. eastbound. Take the first right, onto Sunset Dr., and follow to end of the street. The trail begins here. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Camp at Goose Lake in the Lakes Basin

    Duck, Duck, Goose!

    Try to get a first-come, first-served campsite at one of the Lakes Basin’s lakeside campgrounds. We love Goose Lake Campground, where there are just 13 sites and no motorized boats.

    View
  2. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  3. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Let's Go to Paso!

    Paso Robles is a good idea in all seasons, but one season brings a special bounty: harvest season! Road-trip ready and teeming with fall colors and fun events, Paso Robles is the ultimate destination for unique autumn experiences.

    View
  2. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Oh Ryan

    Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

    View