Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Travel Guides
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Book Now
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

      The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2022. Read More
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture + Design
    • Like a Local
    • Travel To
    • 50 Years of Travel + Leisure
  • Travel Guides

    Travel Guides

    See All Travel Guides
    • Mexico City
    • Maui
    • Charleston
    • Tulum
    • New York City
    • London
    • Paris
    • Iceland
    • Los Cabos
    • See More Travel Guides
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to resume sailing out of the U.S. on or around July 4.
    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • Travel + Leisure GO
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals + Events
    • Bus and Train Travel
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Ground Transportation
    • Get Outside
    • Wanderlust
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • See All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • A Spirited Occasion
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes
Book Now

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Trip Ideas
  3. Nature Travel
  4. The Best Hikes in San Diego Have Stunning Coastal Cliffs, Waterfalls, and Even Views of Mexico

The Best Hikes in San Diego Have Stunning Coastal Cliffs, Waterfalls, and Even Views of Mexico

Maya Kachroo-Levine
By Maya Kachroo-Levine February 01, 2020
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Cowles Mountain Summit at sunset. The highest point in the city of San Diego and a popular urban hike.
Credit: Samuel Antonio/Getty Images
Breaking news: Hiking is the new yoga, and we’ve got stats to prove it. According to Merrell, the No. 1 outdoor rugged footwear brand in the world, participation in hiking is up 22.5% since 2014. And hiking is the fourth most popular outdoor activity in the U.S. with 45 million annual participants. So if you’ve resolved to hike more this year, you’re extremely on-trend, because hiking is officially in vogue.

One of the (many) reasons for the popularity surge is that hiking, just like yoga, is actually proven to reduce your stress levels. Research conducted at Chiba University in Japan revealed that a 15-minute walk in the woods reduces cortisol (a stress hormone) levels by 16% and blood pressure by 2%.

Whether you’re hoping to unwind in the woods or you’re looking to stay active on vacation, seeking out great hikes can continually motivate you to #optoutside. If you’re planning a trip to southern California, or you live in the San Diego area, now’s the time to be scouting new hiking trails. California has such a wealth of terrain, and the best hikes of San Diego prove that the perpetually sunny city has something for everyone. From paved walking paths right by the beach to peaks Cheryl Strayed tackled in Wild, here are the top San Diego hikes.
Start Slideshow

1 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mt. Woodson Summit

Potato Chip Rock, Mount Woodson near San Diego, California
Credit: Rob Atherton/Getty Images

Famed home of Potato Chip Rock, the Mt. Woodson Summit hiking trail is an adventure-gram moment if ever there was one. (Because Potato Chip Rock extends out over nothingness, it’s become a classic southern California photo op.) The Mt. Woodson hike is a challenging seven-and-a-half miles and yields one breathtaking view after another. There are steep inclines, but on the plus side, it’s dog-friendly, so you can bring a furry companion to cheer you on.

1 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cedar Creek Falls to Devil’s Punch Bowl

Cedar Creek Falls
Credit: Getty Images

The name alone really sells it. For this hike, you’ll take the Cedar Creek Falls Trail to the Devil’s Punch Bowl, which is a pool at the base of Cedar Creek Falls. It can really heat up in the summer, and the hike is fairly strenuous, so be sure to pack lots of water and protein-filled snacks.

2 of 8

3 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Torrey Pines State Park

Torrey Pines State Reserve with Black's Beach, San Diego
Credit: Getty Images

Torrey Pines is a quintessential La Jolla hike in that you’re guaranteed views of sparkling blue waves crashing against jagged bluffs. It’s actually located directly above La Jolla, but below Del Mar. Follow this hiking guide for a three-mile loop covering multiple trails — it will show you the best of Torrey Pines, from the coastal views to the famed Torrey pine trees, which are the rarest pine in the country.

3 of 8

Advertisement

4 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cuyamaca Peak

Cuyamaca Peak and El Cajon View From Mt. Helix Park
Credit: Getty Images

The peak is in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, which has some elevation, so you’ll see plenty of snow-capped trees if you do this hike in the winter. There are 37 trails in the state park, but you’ll want to stick to Azalea Glen Loop. It’s a challenging seven-mile hike that will bring you right to Cuyamaca Peak.

4 of 8

5 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cowles Mountain

Cowles Mountain Summit at sunset. The highest point in the city of San Diego and a popular urban hike.
Credit: Samuel Antonio/Getty Images

Cowles’ claim to fame is that it’s the highest point in San Diego — so it’s worth visiting purely for the fact that you can see Mexico from the peak. The three-mile hike is moderately difficult, but if you’re willing to wake up before the sun, Cowles Mountain is a beautiful spot to watch the sunrise. It’s one of San Diego’s most popular hikes, so starting early might also make for a less-crowded trail.

5 of 8

6 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Coast to Crest Trail to Lake Hodges

California, Escondido, Lake Hodges Dam
Credit: Westend61/Getty Images

Located in Escondido, the perfect southern California hiking day involves quality time on the Coast to Crest trail followed by a stop at Stone Brewing. The Coast to Crest Trail, when completed, will span 70 miles of southern California terrain, from Del Mar to Volcan Mountain. The out-and-back trail to Lake Hodges is seven and a half miles, but the terrain isn’t overly strenuous.

6 of 8

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pacific Crest Trail to Garnet Peak

At the head of the Pacific Crest trail leading down into Borrego Springs
Credit: Scott C. Wilson/Getty Images

Feeling inspired by Cheryl Strayed and Reese Witherspoon these days? If so, you can hop on the Pacific Crest Trail bandwagon in San Diego, and hike a portion of it within Cleveland National Forest. This moderate-to-difficult hike starts at the Penny Pines Trailhead and goes up to Garnet Peak, where the views are otherworldly.

7 of 8

8 of 8

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Swami’s Beach

Swamis beach on sunny day, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, San Diego County, California
Credit: Danita Delimont/Getty Images

Take the trail from Swami’s Beach to Cardiff Beach and you’ll experience spectacular ocean views and the smooth sound of waves crashing onto the sand. (And for those who are hesitant to try a cliffside hike, don’t worry, there’s a safety railing.) An easy out-and-back hike, the path is accessible from Swami’s Beach and is about three miles total.

8 of 8

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Maya Kachroo-Levine

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 8 Mt. Woodson Summit
    2 of 8 Cedar Creek Falls to Devil’s Punch Bowl
    3 of 8 Torrey Pines State Park
    4 of 8 Cuyamaca Peak
    5 of 8 Cowles Mountain
    6 of 8 Coast to Crest Trail to Lake Hodges
    7 of 8 Pacific Crest Trail to Garnet Peak
    8 of 8 Swami’s Beach

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab
    • Travel + Leisure Wine this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    MeredithTravel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Travel + Leisure. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

    View image

    The Best Hikes in San Diego Have Stunning Coastal Cliffs, Waterfalls, and Even Views of Mexico
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.