Welcome to San Diego! Not only can you be at the sandy beach and up at the snowy mountains in the same day, but we also have the best hikes in San Diego!
Table of Contents
Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Trail is one of the best hikes in San Diego! You are guaranteed to feel like a badass saying you have hiked IRON MOUNTAIN. The secret? It’s under 6 miles roundtrip making it pretty doable. Located in Poway, it can be pretty fricken hot in the summer so save this one for spring or fall. You can also go in the morning or evening with a head lamp but the klutz in us isn’t going to risk it.
Length: 5.9 mi
Challenge Level:
Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed.
📍14847-14909 CA-67, Poway, CA 92064
Mt. Woodson
Next up on the best hikes in San Diego is Mt. Woodson trail. Doesn’t ring a bell? This one is more commonly known as Potato Chip Rock. IE the is the most Instagramable hike there is. Recognized for its long rock formation that looks like a potato chip, hikers like to flip the photos so they look like they are falling off the side, eating it, or simply embracing an amateur yoga routine on it. Is Potato Chip Rock hike hard? Not as hard as getting into Harvard Law, but we won’t out you for taking the easy way. Come for the hike and bring a Scooby Snack if you’re staying to get your photo taken. That line gets long! Not that we have ever waited….
Potato Chip Rock has 2 trails that can be taken:
The first trail can be found when you search Potato Chip Rock on your navigation system. It will take you to the main entrance which as a parking lot. Note this trail is longer but not as steep.
Length: 7.4 mi
Challenge Level: Moderate
Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed.
📍 14644 Lake Poway Road Poway, CA 92064
The second short trailer can be found at on Route 67. Parking is on the highway so be careful as it can be hard to find a spot on the weekends. Note this concrete trail is shorter but much steeper.
Length: 4 mi
Challenge Level: Moderate/Difficult
Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed.
Coast to Crest Trail
This easy peasy trail made our Things to do in Escondido guide! It is a flat hike (more like a walk) with tons of wildlife. The downside is the section that runs parallel to the freeway. Upside is the Princess Consuela Banana Hammock David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge, IE the world’s longest stress ribbon bridge.
Soooo, what’s a stress bridge? San Dieguito River Parks describes it as a thin ribbon of concrete with very low visual impact to its natural setting across the lake. Pretty freaking cool. Check out Coast to Crest for the most stroller friendly, dog friendly, grandma friendly hike around.
Length: 5.5 mi
Challenge Level: Easy
Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed on the trail. Unleashed on the beach.
📍14847-14909 CA-67, Poway, CA 92064
Cowles Mountain
VIEWS VIEWS VIEWS!! Do you remember when that was all the rage with real estate? Now it’s just about having four walls and not having bars on the windows. Anyway, Cowles is STILL about the views. Fair warning it gets more crowded than the I-5 to the I-15 merge. Go early, wear a hat, slap on some sunscreen. Safety first.
Length: 3.0 mi
Challenge Level: Moderate
Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed.
📍 8282 Mesa Rd, Santee, CA 92071
Three Sisters Falls
What is the most unique hike in San Diego? We’re going to say Three Sisters Falls Trail. This trail is awesome if you want to be chasing waterfalls. In 2024, especially, due to the heavy rain fall this year, now is the time to lace up your hiking boots and throw on a swimsuit! Hey, if the skiers can rock a bikini and boots so can the hikers. The trail includes a rope climbing portion which brings out the Jack Sparrow in everyone. It’s located in Julian so be sure to treat yourself to the Julian Pie Company after.
Length: 4.1 mi
Challenge Level: Moderate
Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed.
📍 Three Sisters Falls Trailhead, Boulder Creek Rd, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
Fortuna Mountain Trail
If you are looking for a good workout, the Fortuna Mountain Trail delivers. A more interesting route, the Fortuna Mt. trail is a loop rather than the typical up and down we see. This loop trail tackles both North Fortuna and South Fortuna peaks and with the elevation gains and losses. For our less intensive hikers you can also make the loop shorter by taking the Fortuna Saddle trail between the peaks. We don’t judge.
Length: 6.2 mi
Challenge Level: Moderate
Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed.
📍11440 Clairemont Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92124
Goat Canyon Trestle Hike
Calling all GOATs! This hike is for the best of the best and the ones who like an adrenaline rush. Goat Canyon is no joke. You’ll park 2 miles from the U.S. – Mexico border, hike through desert terrain, and wind up crossing the world’s largest wooden trestle bridge. Now, that sounds made up but it’s on wiki so it must be true. Apparently, John D. Spreckels had something to do with the creation of it. A little history tie in here, John D. Spreckels is who Spreckels Park in Coronado is named after. This park made our list of Top 9 Things To Do in Coronado. Badabing Badaboom! Small town San Diego strikes again.
Length: 5.8 mi
Challenge Level: Hard
Dog Friendly: No.
📍 1800 Carrizo Gorge Rd, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934
Sunset Cliffs Trails
We end with the most San Diego hike of them all, the one that lands you at the beach. At Sunset Cliffs Trail, take a mellow walk towards to ocean with the breeze in your hair and someone else’s boom box tunes in the background. PS – where do you even find a boom box anymore? We have questions. This trail is truly about enjoying the journey. Bring a couple flashlights so you can stay for the sunset and safely make your way back.
Length: 2.1 mi
Challenge Level: easy
Dog Friendly: Yes, leashed.
📍 1253 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
Is San Diego good for hiking? We’re going to say absolutely. If you bring a dog on a hike with you be sure to fuel back up after at one of the Best Dog Friendly Restaurants in San Diego.
