Trails in the San Dieguito River Park
Coast to Crest Trail
The San Dieguito River Park goal is to create a multi-use trail
system for hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders that will extend
from the ocean at Del Mar to the San Dieguito River's source on
Volcan Mountain, just north of Julian. This is a distance of approximately
55 miles. This linear trail system has been named the "Coast to
Crest Trail".
Click here for construction updates on various trail segments.
Future trails will be aligned along existing rights of way and
back country dirt roads whenever possible, in order to minimize
impacts to the natural environment.
Specific trail alignments will be developed in cooperation with
landowners and leaseholders in order to minimize impacts to existing
uses, such as farming, cattle ranching and private residences.
Trails will be adequately separated from existing uses through
setbacks, significant elevational separation, and/or fencing; signage
will be provided along the trail to inform users to stay on the
trail and to respect adjoining private property. The Park has a Volunteer
Patrol program to help ensure that park regulations are observed.
Motorized vehicles are prohibited on park trails, except for service
or emergency vehicles.
Some portions of the Coast to Crest Trail have been completed
and are open to the public. In addition, some auxiliary trails
within the San Dieguito River Park are open to public use. Auxiliary
trails are not part of the Coast to Crest Trail system.
Public Use Trails
The following trails are available for public use and are within
SDRP's focused planning area:
Click in any trail region to take you to trail information.
1. Piedras Pintadas Trail -
Lake Hodges Area
OPEN
Trailmap: Piedras
Pintadas Trailmap
Trailhead location: South of
Lake Hodges, West of I-15, in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
Directions to Trail: : I-15
North towards Escondido, exit Pomerado Rd/West Bernardo Road.
Take West Bernardo Road west. Trail head and parking at Bernardo
Bay Natural Area across from retirement home.
Use: Hiking and Mountain
Biking Only.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Length: 3.8 miles round
trip.
Vertical Climb: 318’ low
elevation to 426’ high elevation
Features: Wildlife, Native
American Rock Art, etc.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash
only.
Interpretive: Yes – Kumeyaay
Lifestyles and Use of Native Plants
Trail Manager: Call 858 674-2270
for free copy of detailed trail map with descriptions.
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2. Highland Valley Trail -
Lake Hodges Area
OPEN
Trailmap: Highland
Valley Trailmap
Trailhead location: South
of Lake Hodges, East of I-15, in Rancho Bernardo, CA.
Directions to Trail: I-15
North towards Escondido, exit Pomerado Rd/West Rancho Bernardo
Road. Take Pomerado Dr. East.
Use: Hiking and Horseback
riding only.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 4 miles round
trip.
Vertical Climb: 341’ low
elevation to 429’ high elevation
Features: Oak tree shade.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on
leash only.
Interpretive: Yes. The
first mile of the trail is the Ruth
Merrill Children’s
Walk. Call the River Park office for free copies of the teacher’s
guide (English and Spanish versions are available.)
Trail Manager: Call 858
674-2270 for copy of free detailed trail map with descriptions. |
3. North Shore Lake Hodges -
Lake Hodges Area
OPEN FROM HERNANDEZ HIDEAWAY TO SUNSET DRIVE
REMAINDER CLOSED DUE TO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY CONSTRUCTION
Trailmap: North
Shore Lake Hodges Trailmap
Trailhead location: :
For Del Dios East Trailhead: I-15 North towards Escondido,
exit Via Rancho Parkway. West on Via Rancho Parkway,
turn left on Lake Drive (just before reaching Del Dios
Highway). Turn left into Del Dios Community Park parking
lot. For Del Dios West Trailhead: Follow Del Dios East
Trailhead directions until you reach Lake Drive, continue
west on Lake Drive until reaching parking lot across
from Hernandez Hideaway. For Sunset Drive Trailhead
see directions for Mule Hill/San Pasqual Valley Trail
below.
Use: Hiking, Mountain Biking,
and Horseback riding.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Length: 14.8 miles round
trip.
Vertical Climb: 305’ low
elevation to 425’ high elevation
Features: Views of Lake;
birds.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on
leash only.
Interpretive: No
Trail Manager: Call 858
674-2270 for copy of free detailed trail map with descriptions. NOTICE: CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON POSSIBLE CLOSURES |
4. Crest Canyon Trail
OPEN
Trailmap: Crest Canyon Trail
Trailhead location: :
Northern Del Mar overlooking San Dieguito Lagoon at
Coast.
Directions to Trail: Take
I-5 north to Via de la Valle. Go west on Via de la
Valle, then south on Jimmy Durante Blvd., turn left
on San Dieguito Road just past the bridge over the
San Dieguito River. Drive about .6 mile to kiosk.
Park on side of road.
Use: Hiking only
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Length: 0.4 mile one-way
Vertical Climb: 62’ low
elevation to 311’ high elevation
Features: Coastal bluffs
Dogs Allowed: Yes,
on leash only.
Interpretive: No
Trail Manager: City of San
Diego. Call 858 538-8082 for information. |
5. Clevenger Canyon / San Pasqual South
OPEN
Trailmap: Clevenger Canyon
Trailhead location: Rugged
mountains east of San Pasqual Valley, south of Hwy
78.
Directions to Trail: Follow
directions for Hwy 78/Bandy Canyon Trailhead for the
Mule Hill/San Pasqual Valley Trail, except continue
5.3 miles past the Wild Animal Park.
Use: Hiking only
Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous
Length: 3.2 miles one
way
Vertical Climb: 650’ low
elevation to 1755’ high elevation
Features: Long views;
vigorous climbs.
Dogs Allowed: Yes,
on leash only.
Interpretive: No
Trail Manager: City of San
Diego. Call 858 538-8082 for information.
Clevenger Canyon/San Pasqual North
OPEN
Trailmap: Clevenger
Canyon
Trail location: Rugged mountains east of San Pasqual Valley,
north of Hwy 78.
Directions to Trailhead: Follow directions for Hwy 78/Bandy
Canyon Trailhead for the Mule Hill/San Pasqual Valley Trail,
except continue 5.8 miles past the Wild Animal Park.
Use: Hiking Only
Difficulty: Strenuous
Length: 10 miles one way; however, large portions of the
trail system on the top of the mesa have been obliterated
by fire and cannot be identified.
Vertical Climb: 510’ low elevation to 1879’ high
elevation
Features: Long views; vigorous climbs.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash only.
Interpretive: No
Trail Manager: City of San Diego. Call 858 538-8082 for information.
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6. Mule Hill Historical / San Pasqual
Valley Agricultural Trail
OPEN
Trailmap: Mule Hill Trailmap
Trailhead location: San
Pasqual Valley, East of I-15.
Directions to Trail: Sunset
Drive Trailhead: North on I-15, exit Via Rancho Parkway,
go east. Take a right at Sunset Drive (first light)
and drive to trailhead parking lot at the cul de sac
or park along the street. For Ysabel Creek Trailhead:
Follow directions for Highland Valley Road Trail; after
turning from Pomerado onto Highland Valley Road, continue
on Highland Valley Road for 4 miles, take left on Bandy
Canyon Road to Ysabel Creek Road. Trailhead is on the
corner. For Hwy 78 Trailhead: Exit Via Rancho Parkway,
go east. Take right on San Pasqual Valley Road. At
intersection with Hwy 78, take a right, following the
signs for the Wild Animal Park. Go 2.75 miles past
the Wild Animal Park, cross over the bridge and take
a right at Bandy Canyon Road. Take another right into
the dirt lot, and follow the signs for the trailhead
parking area.
Use: Hiking, Mountain
Biking, or Horseback riding only.
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Length: 10 miles one-way.
Vertical Climb: 324’ low
elevation to 760’ high elevation (the trail is
generally flat, with one steep section that increases
400’ elevation in 3400 foot distance.)
Features: Historical
resources; Proximity to agriculture; Pastoral views
Dogs Allowed: Yes,
on leash only.
Interpretive: Yes
Trail Manager: San Dieguito River Park 858 674-2270
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7. Riverpath Del Mar
OPEN
Trailmap: Lagoon Trailmap
Trailhead location: Del Mar
Directions to Trail: Take
I-5 north to Via de la Valle. Go west on Via de la
Valle, then south on Jimmy Durante Blvd. Just past the bridge over the
San Dieguito River. The trail is located along the south shore of the river, west of Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Use: Hiking only
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1/4 mile
Vertical Climb: Flat
Features: River views, benches
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash only.
Interpretive: No
Trail Manager: City of Del Mar. |
8. Volcan Mountain
OPEN The Preserve is open to mid-summit from
sunrise to sunset year round (weather permitting). The trail
from mid-summit to the summit is open from April through
November from 9:00am to 6:00pm on weekends only. The Fire
Road Trail is open to hikers, mountain bikes and equestrians;
the Five Oaks Trail is open to hikers only.
Trailmap: Volcan Mountain
Trailhead location: Farmer Road, north of Julian.
Directions to Trail: From Julian, take Farmer Road 2.2 miles, turn right on Wynola Road for 100
yards, then left, back onto the continuation of Farmer Road. Proceed a short
distance and park on the shoulder of the paved road by the Preserve’s sign on the right side of the road
Use: Hiking, mountain biking, equestrian.
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 1.5 mile one way (docent-led trips to the summit are 2.5 miles one way, offered once a month. Click here for schedule.)
Vertical Climb:
Features: Wildlife, James Hubbell-designed entry monument
Dogs Allowed: No
Interpretive: No
Trail Manager: County of San Diego. |
9. Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve - East
OPEN
Trailmap: Santa Ysabel East Trail Map
Trailhead location: Farmer Road, north of Julian.
Directions to Trail: From Julian, take Farmer Road 2.2 miles, turn right on Wynola Road for 100
yards, then left, back onto the continuation of Farmer Road. Go one mile past the Volcan Mountain Preserve Sign to the Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve staging area on the left side of the road. Park on the road or in the parking area.
Use: Hiking, Bicycling and Equestrian.
Difficulty: Medium
Length: 8 miles one way. There are also two shorter loops.
Vertical Climb:
Features: Large oaks and sycamores.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash only
Interpretive: No
Trail Manager: County of San Diego. |
10. Lagoon Boardwalk
OPEN
Trailmap: Lagoon Trail
Trailhead location: Take
I-5 north to Via de la Valle. Go west on Via de la
Valle, then south on Jimmy Durante Blvd. Just past the bridge over the
San Dieguito River, take a right where the Del Mar Public Works Yard is located. Park where you can find a space.
Directions to Trail: From the parking area, cross Jimmy Durante Blvd., then cross the bridge to the north side of the river. Trail is on the east.
Use: Hiking only
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1,200 feet
Vertical Climb: None
Features: Views of San Dieguito River
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash only
Interpretive: Yes
Trail Manager: San Dieguito River Park |
11. Santa Fe Valley
OPEN
Trailmap: Santa Fe Valley/Del Dios Map
Trailhead location: Del Dios Highway. Turn south at Lemon Twist Stand (burned in Witch Fire) across from Calle Ambiente.
Directions to Trail: From the parking area, walk south (up the slope). The trail is on your right.
Use: Hiking, equestrian and mountain biking
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Length: 3 miles one-way
Vertical Climb: Two sets of switchbacks at western end
Features: Views of San Dieguito River
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash only
Interpretive: Yes
Trail Manager: San Dieguito River Park |
12. Del Dios Gorge
OPEN FROM SANTA FE VALLEY ROAD STAGING AREA TO GATE APPROX 1 MILE EAST OF BRIDGE
Trailmap: Santa Fe Valley/Del Dios Gorge
Trailhead location: Del Dios Highway. Turn south at Lemon Twist Stand (burned in Witch Fire) across from Calle Ambiente.
Directions to Trail: From the parking area, walk south (up the slope). Trail is on your left.
Use: Hiking, equestrian and mountain biking.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2 miles one way
Vertical Climb:
Features: Views of San Dieguito River; this trail ends at the 180-foot-long Del Dios Gorge Steel Truss Bridge.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, on leash only
Interpretive: Yes
Trail Manager: San Dieguito River Park |
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