Oasis Spring
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Quick hike to a largely forgotten spring and pump house.
Garnet Peak
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Short hike to a peak with a beautiful 360 degree panorama of desert and mountain scenery.
Indian Creek-PCT Loop
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Nice loop hike utilizing multiple trails in the Mount Laguna area for a wide cross section of scenery and views.
Three Sisters Falls
Location: California, San Diego area, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Well-known hike to a series of three waterfalls that create nice swimming holes.
Fry-Koegel Trail
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Scenic and less used option for hiking up Mt. Woodson and reaching Potato Chip Rock.
Potato Chip Rock
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Hike to an iconic San Diego natural landmark for a classic photo op.
Pappy’s Point Sea Caves ♦
Location: California, San Diego area
Explore the “secret” caves at Pappy’s Point including the famous “Rum Runner’s Cave”.
Sunset Cliffs Sea Caves ♦
Location: California, San Diego
Excellent set of sea caves on the San Diego coast
Sandtrap Canyon
Location: California, San Diego area, La Jolla
Short, non-technical sandstone canyon on the coast with year-round water and a waterfall
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve
Location: California, San Diego, Solana Beach
Large wetland preserve – home to over 1,000 species of plants and animals and contains over 7 miles of trails
Annie’s Canyon
Location: California, San Diego area, Solana Beach
Fun little coastal sandstone canyon on the banks of a scenic lagoon
Balboa Park Archery Range ♦
Location: California, San Diego, Balboa Park
Little-known walking archery range set amidst the scenery of Balboa Park
Poway Crags
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Nice, low traffic climbing area in a scenic location that’s home to a popular hike
Mission Gorge
Location: California, San Diego, Santee
Popular climbing area with easy access and a large number of climbs
Love Valley
Location: California, San Diego, Palomar Mountain
Easy hike through pretty rolling hills with seasonal ponds and picturesque old barn
Ruby E Wreck Dive ♦
Location: California, San Diego, Mission Beach
Advanced dive (due to depth) to a 1930’s era Coast Guard cutter beautifully covered in barnacles
Miramar Air Show
Location: California, San Diego, Miramar
Great air show featuring historic planes, explosions, and the Blue Angels
La Jolla Sea Caves
Location: California, San Diego, La Jolla
Sea caves along the scenic La Jolla coast with land and sea access options
Kitchen Creek
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Canyon with seasonal water flow that offers both technical and non-technical descent options
Lake Poway
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Scenic multi-use trail around a lake with wildflowers in the spring
Julian
Location: California, San Diego area, Julian
Adorable historic mining town that offers apple picking in the fall and nice hikes
Gliderport
Location: California, San Diego, La Jolla
Scenic spot for paragliding and hang gliding with lovely coastal views
Eagle and High Peak Gold Mine
Location: California, San Diego area, Julian
Historic gold mine restored to its 1870’s appearance with old mining equipment and memorabilia
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
Location: California, San Diego, Poway
Hike along a shaded creek with live oaks before climbing to the top of a reservoir
Descanso
Location: California, San Diego area, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Less frequented climbing area with a quick approach and around 30 climbs
Daley Ranch
Location: California, San Diego area, Escondido
3,000 acre reserve of historic ranch land featuring numerous hiking trails and historic barns and buildings
Doane Valley
Location: California, San Diego area, Palomar Mountain
Hike through pretty scenery including a pond, creek, rolling hills, and the ruins of a 1920’s dam and gauging station
Dixon Lake
Location: California, San Diego, Escondido
Extremely quick approach to a handful of climbs; features some nice beginner climbing