New Trail Alert

New Trail at Palomar Arboretum in San Diego County

Something new to do in 2020: Check out the vastly improved trail at the Edward and Frances Hunter Arboretum on Palomar College’s San Marcos campus. Recently opened in late September, the preserve has a spanking-new irrigation system in addition to refurbished trails, which are also ADA accessible.

Though the total trail length is about 1 mile (you will actually log 1.5 or more depending on your “root” of choice), you can easily spend hours among the over 600 arboreal species that represent all major continents.

Hike Palomar College Arboretum

The specimens are labeled and color-coded (yellow for threatened, red for endangered or extinct in the wild) for an enhanced botanical interpretive hiking experience.

Park at the lot ($5 all day, or use ParkMobile to pay per hour) in front of the colorful planetarium (look for the “galaxy garden”), which hosts evening astronomy shows, and head for the path, marked by a plaque-covered rock and a map (take a photo of the many trail branches).

Start at the arched brick sculpture covered in multicolored glass conveniently named New Beginnings (James Hubble), though it was originally constructed in the 1960s. Take the lower left path to first check out the Oak Gulch loop, of which the riparian environment may be the most familiar to Southern California visitors.

After looping back, take the upper left trail heading past another vibrant brick and tile art installation (Life Cycle) toward the Hawaiian gardens section. Here you will find lush palms, bamboo, and a few of your first critically threatened species, including the red-orange flowers of the Oahu riverhemp.

Hike Palomar Arboretum

Return to the Hubble sculpture and this time climb up the switchbacks/stairs toward the massive roots of a glorious Moreton Bay fig—grab a seat for prolonged viewing. Then, continue on through an unexpected pine forest to enjoy views over San Marcos to your right, and a meadow trail leading you to a viewpoint of the famous Palomar “P” on a hill to your left.

Head back down the switchbacks and go left to your final stop through Australian and Native gardens. There is an especially large amount of variety here from other parts of the world too—a few Weekend Sherpa favorites include the Queensland bottle tree, ginkgo biloba (maidenhair tree), hoop pine, and Tecate cypress.

To get to the Palomar Arboretum and parking lot, take the I-15 or I-5 to the CA-78. Exit Las Posas Rd. and head north. At the first major street (Mission Rd.), take a right, followed by the first left onto Comet Circle, depositing you on Palomar’s campus and leading you to the arboretum and lot.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View