If you want to skip all the post-Thanksgiving shopping madness
and burn off some of those pie calories then head to the great outdoors for some
fresh air and beautiful scenery. San Diego
is not called “America’s Finest City” just because of our sparkling beaches, our
mountains and forests are just as inviting.
We’ve highlighted some of our favorite hikes this week, so you know
exactly where to go and what you’ll see.
Torrey Pines, just north of La Jolla, is the perfect place
to hike with over 2,000 acres to explore.
On Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, rangers are available
to give tours. Torrey Pines is a reserve
not a park, so dogs are not allowed (except for service dogs), in order to help protect
the eco system. For first time visitors,
it’s hard to know where to start, so we’ve listed some of our favorite easy
trails below.
Walk through Whittaker Garden (which has markers that
identify the local flora) to start the Parry Grove trail for a short half-mile
loop. Parry Grove is known for their California
wildflowers in the colder, wet months.
You can combine this short hike with the High Point Trail by
walking up the stairs, or just head to the High Point trail for a nice walk
with the oldest tree grove in the reserve.
Some of the tall trees shading the trail are over 200 years old.
Yucca Point Trail is an easy hike that is little over a mile
with a gradual elevation change of about 200 feet. One point of the trail offers access to the
beach and either way you walk you are treated with lovely views.
Another easy trail that won’t take
too long to hike is the 1.3 mile Razor Point Trail, which also offers dramatic
vistas.
The Beach Trail is a little steeper than some of the other
easy trails, but is still manageable and only ¾ of a mile. This is a fascinating trail for budding
geologists as you can observe the diverse changes of the rocks and terrain as
the trail winds from the shore to the forest.
Guy Fleming Trail is 0.7 of a mile and also offers breathtaking
views, making it easy to spot dolphins and whales in the winter months.
Twenty five minutes from Mission Bay is Mount Cowles, the
highest peak within San Diego city limits, located in Mission Trails Regional
Park. This hike is so popular, it sees
more visitors scaling to the top every year than Japan’s Mount Fuji. It’s such a gradual incline, it is a good
beginner’s trail, however there isn’t much shade so be sure to pack a hat and sunblock
during sunny days. This three-mile hike
is ideal when the sun is setting, where you can take in the colorful sunsets
and city lights as the night grows darker.
Also located in Mission Trails is the Oak Canyon Trail, another
popular hike, in the 5,800 acre regional park.
The path is lined with tall sycamore
trees and because of some steep switchbacks, is more of a moderate climb in
difficulty. However, the views of Lake
Murray, the Pacific Ocean, downtown San Diego and Mexico, make it worth
it. With some even pacing, anyone can
push through to the top.
To really get outside of the city, head over to Los Penasquitos Canyon (about 20 minutes north of Mission Bay) for a tranquil stroll
through rolling hills and a babbling brook.
The trail that meanders through the canyon is about five miles long, and
has a waterfall about 3 miles in, so if you don’t want to make the entire trek,
you can turn around at this point. The
paths are wide and safe for the whole family, and keep your eyes peeled for
deer that wander around.
From exploring the trails at sea level to climbing the
highest mountain in the city, and everything in between, San Diego has some of
the most gorgeous hikes in the world.
For the cooler fall months (mid-60s is chilly for us), heading outside
for a brisk hike is the perfect way to enjoy our great town. Book a stay at one of lovely properties at
Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and start enjoying Mother Nature.
