San Diego County

With the second richest biodiversity of any county in the continental United States, San Diego County offers a huge variety of hiking experiences. The 4,525 square mile county encompasses ocean bluffs covered with rare Torrey pines, rugged inland peaks studded with granite boulders, gently rolling mountain ranges blanketed in pine and oak forests, and the scorched badlands of Anza-Borrego desert. A vast treasure trove of natural marvels awaits the adventurous hiker.

Angel Glacier at Mount Edith Cavell

Distance: 0.9 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 265 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Salt Creek

Distance: 0.5 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Difficulty: Beginner

Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument

Distance: 0.1 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 5 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Cholla Cactus Garden

Distance: 0.33 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 22 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

General Grant Grove

Distance: 0.6 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 100 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Lava Flow Trail

Distance: 0.9 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 90 ft

Difficulty: Easy

North Lake Road

Distance: 0.5 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 10 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Vista Hermosa Natural Park

Distance: 0.4 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 45 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Balanced Rock

Distance: 0.3 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 30 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Cactus Loop

Distance: .7 mi

Time: .5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 214 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Roadside Ruin

Distance: 0.75 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 10 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Fossil Falls

Distance: 0.6 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 70 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Athabasca Falls

Distance: 0.6 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 151 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Lenox Crater Trail

Distance: 0.6 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Lower Pine Creek Falls

Distance: 0.8 mi

Time: .5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 200 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Potwisha Pictographs

Distance: 0.8 mi

Time: .5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 175 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Hungo Pavi

Distance: 0.3 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 15 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Cave Spring

Distance: 0.6 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 62 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Puerco Pueblo

Distance: 0.3 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

The Crystal Forest

Distance: 0.8 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 35 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Hole in the Rock

Distance: 0.3 mi

Time: .5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 67 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Bridalveil Falls

Distance: 0.5 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Berlin Forest

Distance: 0.3 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 58 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

The Source of Miette Hot Springs

Distance: 0.7 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 151 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Giant Logs Trail

Distance: 0.4 mi

Time: 0.25 hrs

Elevation Gain: 30 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

McWay Falls

Distance: 0.7 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 60 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Wild Flower Hill at the Theodore Payne Foundation

Distance: 0.6 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 248 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Mesa Arch

Distance: 0.7 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 65 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Balcony House

Distance: 0.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 125 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Grand Prismatic Spring

Distance: 0.7 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 70 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

Distance: .6 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 80 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Cliff Palace

Distance: 0.7 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 366 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Moro Rock

Distance: 0.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Bronson Caves

Distance: 0.6 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 68 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Amir’s Garden

Distance: 0.9 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 275 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site

Distance: 0.9 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 120 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Oneonta Gorge

Distance: 0.7 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 30 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Freeman Homestead Trail

Distance: 1.1 mi

Time: .5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 120 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Hidden Valley

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Inspiration Peak

Distance: 1.2 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty: Easy

The Blue Mesa

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 120 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Mexican Mine

Distance: 1 mi

Time: .5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 80 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Heart Rock

Distance: 1.3 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Distance: 1.25 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 342 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

East Griffith Observatory Trail

Distance: 1.4 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 383 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Butler Wash Ruins

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 160 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Andreas Canyon

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 160 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Wallace Creek

Distance: 1.3 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 90 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Badwater Basin

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 0.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 243 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Stonewall-Panoramic Trail

Distance: 1.3 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 519 ft

Difficulty: Easy

South Tufa at Mono Lake

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 50 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Wooded Hill

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Arch Rock to Grand Tank

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 140 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Devil’s Punchbowl

Distance: 1.3 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 299 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Tenaja Falls

Distance: 1.6 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Tahquitz Canyon

Distance: 1.7 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 350 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Mammoth Hot Springs

Distance: 1.4 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Batteries to Bluffs Trail

Distance: 1.7 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Barker Dam Loop

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 70 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Corralitas Rail Path

Distance: 1.6 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

King Gillette Ranch

Distance: 1.4 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 229 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Moraine Lake

Distance: 1.8 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 30 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Nakalele Blowhole

Distance: 1.4 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 350 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Mount Akawie

Distance: 1.4 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 400 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Lewis Falls

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 250 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir Loop

Distance: 1.4 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 100 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Bear’s Hump

Distance: 1.3 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 754 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Verna Dunshee Trail and Gardiner Fire Lookout

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Kratka Ridge

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 640 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Rock Creek Lake

Distance: 1.6 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 100 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Zumwalt Meadow

Distance: 1.7 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 200 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Partington Cove

Distance: 1.25 mi

Time: 1.0 hrs

Elevation Gain: 275 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Cavern Point Loop

Distance: 1.4 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 292 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Point Dume

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 198 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Pueblo Bonito and Petroglyph Loop

Distance: 1.3 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 175 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Puako Petroglyph Park

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 60 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Truckhaven Rocks

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 250 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Bear Gulch

Distance: 1.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 240 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Upheaval Dome Overlook

Distance: 1.3 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 123 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Red Rock Canyon and Blackiston Falls

Distance: 1.8 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Ousel Falls

Distance: 1.6 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 260 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Canyon Overlook Trail

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 140 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Firebreak Trail to Griffith Observatory

Distance: 1.3 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 511 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Rocky Oaks Park

Distance: 1.2 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 136 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Millard Canyon Falls

Distance: 1.2 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 268 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Salmon Creek Falls

Distance: 1.6 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 577 ft

Difficulty: Strenuous

Wupatki National Monument

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 2 hrs

Elevation Gain: 80 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Monument Valley

Distance: 1 mi

Time: 3 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Lynx Lake Recreation Loop Trail

Distance: 2.5 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Mystic Falls and Biscuit Geyser Basin

Distance: 2.3 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 325 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Sycuan Peak

Distance: 2.1 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 800 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Ryan Mountain

Distance: 2.9 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1070 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Riverside Walk

Distance: 2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 50 ft

Difficulty: Beginner

Tepozteco Pyramid

Distance: 2.1 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1200 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Oakoasis Preserve

Distance: 2.5 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 500 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Piestewa Peak Summit Trail

Distance: 2.4 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 1200 ft

Difficulty: Challenging

Darwin Falls

Distance: 2 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 20 ft

Difficulty: Moderate

Hastain Loop

Distance: 2.7 mi

Time: 1.5 hrs

Elevation Gain: 617 ft

Difficulty: Easy

Beacon Hill via Cadman Drive

Distance: 2.9 mi

Time: 1 hrs

Elevation Gain: 556 ft

Difficulty: Easy