Sunny California: The Best Hikes in San Diego

Explore the best hikes in the greater San Diego area, ranging from easy to difficult.

Greg Heil

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Santa Margarita River

by Carolyn Lieberman, USFWS

Licence Free

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Razor Point Beach

by Shutterstock

Creative Commons: Attribution
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by Shutterstock

Description

San Diego, the second largest city in California, is famous for its temperate climate, beautiful beaches, and surf breaks. But in addition to amazing access to the ocean, the city is bounded on the opposite side by formidable mountains. Even in town, steep hills form beautiful parks and open spaces. Throughout all of this green space is spread a web of superb hiking trails.

This guidebook rounds up the best hikes in and around the San Diego metro area. Ranging from short hikes to secluded beaches all the way up to mountain climbs, this guidebook is guaranteed to send you to the perfect spot for your next hike!

Adventures

Guy Fleming Trail

Short loop with ocean views and fine specimens of the endangered Torrey pine tree.

Iron Mountain

Popular hike to a great view on one of San Diego's favorite local mountains.

Oak Canyon Trail

Streamside hike with seasonal waterfalls and wildflowers—best in spring but good year round.

Cedar Creek Falls

Descend into a river gorge with a crisp waterfall and swimming hole.

Three Sisters Falls

Steep and exposed hike to a stack of three large waterfalls in a granite basin

Bayside Trail

Explore the nature, wildlife, and history of Point Loma, with views over downtown San Diego.

Coastal Trail

A beautiful path among wave-battered sea cliffs and tide pools overlooking the Pacific.

Boucher Lookout Loop

Mountaintop views and colorful forest in a pleasantly cool, high-elevation corner of San Diego County.

Santa Margarita River Trail

Swimming holes, sandy shores, and uncommon nature along one of Southern California's last free-flowing rivers.