Find the best hikes in San Diego!
Popular Hikes Near San Diego
While we generally enjoy highlighting lesser-known hikes, these trendy San Diego hikes are popular for a reason, and well worth your time if you’ve never been. In this list, you’ll find some of the most popular hikes near San Diego including favorites like Torrey Pines, Penasquitos Canyon, Annies Canyon, Mission Trails, Iron Mountain, Cedar Creek Falls, and Mt Woodson’s Potato Chip Rock.
Best Hiking Guidebooks
If you’re an avid San Diego hiker, you’ll really appreciate the additional knowledge provided by hiking guidebooks like Afoot and Afield or Coast to Cactus. Having an awareness of local plant and wildlife species, unique habitats, and notable geographical features can bring a new perspective to your hikes, even ones you’ve already hiked before. Plus, information on San Diego’s climate zones and seasonal weather can be particularly important when planning a hike. Tap or click below to check out the hiking guidebooks we recommend.
San Diego County boasts hundreds of miles of hiking trails.
With our great weather, unique microclimates, and varied topography, it’s no wonder why hiking is one of the most popular year-round activities in San Diego!
Hikes in San Diego’s Coastal Zone
San Diego’s temperate coastal zone provides some great hiking opportunities without having to venture very far from town. Hiking Torrey Pines State Preserve or Penasquitos Canyon are popular options (for good reason), but those wishing to explore more can find some great hikes in places like Rose Canyon, Tecolote Canyon, and even Balboa Park.
Hikes in San Diego’s Inland Zone
San Diego's inland zone offers steeper, rockier, and more challenging terrain. Many of the hikes in this zone can be reached within 30-45 minutes, but the weather can be significantly hotter and sunnier during certain parts of the year. Popular hikes in this area include Cowles Mountain at Mission Trails, Iron Mountain, and Mt. Woodson, home to Potato Chip Rock with its hugely popular interest on social media.
Social media makes it easy to discover new places, but it doesn’t always provide enough information to prepare you for the various environments, conditions, and potential hazards on San Diego’s hiking trails. One of the goals of this site is to highlight some valuable resources that can help you prepare, stay safe, and leave less of an impact out on the trail.
Be Prepared!
Hikes in San Diego’s Mountains Zone
San Diego’s mountains provide an incredibly wide range of hiking options. From the 6,500-foot Cuyamaca Peak to the grassy meadows at Mt. Laguna, there’s something for every type of hiker. There are even overnight hiking options with backcountry camping. Most of the hikes are within 60-90 minutes of San Diego. Summers can be hot and dry with large temperature fluctuations of 30 degrees or more between night and day. Winters can see snow. In fact, next time it snows, consider renting snowshoes to enjoy San Diego’s snow-covered mountains while avoiding the “snow play” crowds that don’t tend to venture far from the side of the road.
Hikes in San Diego’s Desert Zone
It’s hard to believe that San Diego’s Anza Borrego desert is less than 2 hours away. It provides a stark contrast to the coastal and mountain zones and can be a great place to escape San Diego’s gloomy coastal weather common in May and June. There’s a lot to see in San Diego’s deserts including desert wildflowers, bighorn sheep, mud caves, hot springs, palm oases, and even some unique artworks!
