There are lots of beautiful hiking trails in San Diego, but some of them can be quite difficult to hike. And sometimes a difficult hike is not what you’re looking for! There’s days where you want easy hikes to just enjoy being outside, and there’s days where you need easy hikes that you can do with kids…so if you’re looking for some great easy hikes in San Diego, this list will help you get started and find the perfect place to go on a hike no matter your situation!
1. Cabrillo National Park Bayside Trail
If you’re looking for a nice easy trail in San Diego that still has excellent views, you can’t go wrong with Cabrillo National Park’s Bayside Trail. This approximately 2.5 mile round trip hike has only slight elevation change (with a moderate slope) which makes it the perfect choice for an easy hike with or without kids.
With views over the San Diego Bay and historical points of interest, there’s a lot to enjoy and learn on this hike as well! You can learn about this area’s history and role in World Wars I and II as well as discovering native plant life.
Want to know more or learn how to visit? Check out my full review of the Bayside Trail!
2. Batiquitos Lagoon Trail
Batiquitos Lagoon is a beautiful coastal wetland and estuary in Carlsbad. And the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail is a great hike for hikers of all skill levels, as it is only around 3 miles round trip and is a wide and flat trail that makes for easy walking.
There is some traffic noise when you first begin as there is a highway nearby, but as you venture further in you’ll find more nature and local wildlife. There are also lots of beautiful wild flowers here at times, and this trail is accessible year-round which makes it perfect to hike during any time of year!
Learn more about visiting Batiquitos Lagoon!
3. Elfin Forest Way Up Trail
This beautiful reserve in Escondido has approximately 11 miles of trails, but if you’re looking for easy hiking trails in San Diego then the Way Up Trail is a great one to choose! The Way Up Trail is a 2 mile loop trail that is popular throughout North County San Diego, and while it does have some elevation change it is quite minor at around 520 feet.
Here you will see plenty of native plant communities including oak riparian, oak woodland, chaparral, and coastal sage scrub…and there is also a bubbling little creek that adds a charming touch to the trail! It’s open all year round, and dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash.
Discover more about the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve and the Way Up Trail!
4. Tijuana Estuary Trail
The Tijuana Estuary stands on the edge of the Mexico-United States border in Imperial Beach, and is a 4 mile loop trail that is as flat as can be! This makes it a great choice for an easy San Diego hike for all skill levels.
This reserve is also a well-known location for birdwatching and if you stop by the visitor center you can borrow binoculars for free to take with you on the hike. It’s a great way to enjoy the beauty of this southwestern tip of the United States and discover more about the wildlife that make this estuary their home!
See more about the Tijuana Estuary, the wildlife, and all that happens here!
5. Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail
The Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail is a slightly longer hike than the ones above, but is still relatively flat and easy for any hiker with sure footing to do. This trail is 6.8 miles long round trip with only around a 150 foot elevation gain.
So what makes the extra mileage worth it? It takes you to a beautiful hidden waterfall! And once you’re there, you can enjoy watching the water splash or even playing in the water. The groves of sycamore trees also provide some nice shade at times, and there’s plenty of wildlife that you might be able to spot along the trail.
Parking costs $3 in cash, so be sure to bring exact change with you. Occasionally the trail has to close in poor weather conditions so be sure to call the Park Ranger office at (858) 538-8066 before you go to ensure it is open to the public.
Check out more about Los Penasquitos Canyon and this trail!
6. Cowles Mountain
Cowles Mountain is the highest point in the city of San Diego, with a 1,593 foot summit! And it’s actually quite an easy hike to get to the top. With only 3 miles round trip on this out and back trail, the most “difficult” part is the around 920 foot elevation gain. But while this will certainly get your heart pumping, it still falls on the easy-to-moderate scale of hiking. So this is a great trail to choose if you’re looking for a little bit more of a challenge but still want something relatively easy.
And once you make it to the top you are rewarded with some of the most stunning views over San Diego! It’s even better if you go at sunset and stay to watch the lights blink on below you. Be sure to bring a flashlight, though, so you can get back down as it gets dark!
7. Blue Sky Ecological Reserve Trail
The Blue Sky Ecological Reserve trail is a great easy hike in San Diego that measures in at around 4 miles round trip. It’s a great easy-to-navigate trail that is accessible all year round and perfect to bring dogs or kids along with you!
The reserve has approximately 700 acres of canyon habitat and hiking trails, so if you feel like extending your hike you certainly can! But if not, then you can easily return back to where you parked your car by the same route you took out.
Learn more about Blue Sky Ecological Reserve plus check out a trail map!
8. Torrey Pines State Reserve
Torrey Pines State Reserve is one of the most beautiful places in San Diego, and with lots of hiking trails it is the perfect place to spend the day exploring! There are some longer hikes and some shorter ones, but one of my favorites is the Beach Trail. This trail is approximately 3/4 of a mile and descends about 300 feet down to the beach.
You’ll see excellent views over the ocean while hiking, and then once you’re on the beach you can enjoy dipping your toes in the water. One thing to note, however, is that the parking area has quite a steep climb to get to the start of the trails…so this can easily tire you out and is far more difficult than most of the actual trails!
Parking costs $10-15 per car in the designated lot, although sometimes you can get lucky and get free parking along the beachfront if you go at a less-popular time or wait long enough for someone else to leave.
Check out the trails at Torrey Pines State Reserve!
9. San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center Loop
San Elijo Lagoon is one of the largest remaining coastal wetland areas in San Diego, and the Nature Center Loop is one of the easiest hikes you’ll find. It’s only 0.5 miles in length with no perceptible elevation change, which makes it the perfect place to take a short walk (especially with young children or with people who are not as sure on their feet).
You can bird watch here or simply enjoy being outside in nature or enjoy walking near a river. There is plenty to love about this super short and easy hike in San Diego!
Find out more about this loop trail and the nature center at San Elijo Lagoon!
10. Balboa Park Trails
Balboa Park is one of the top places to visit in San Diego for restaurants, museums, theaters, and more, but did you know that they also have hiking trails there? With over 65 miles of trails in this park, there are plenty of options to explore!
I personally think the Sixth and Upas Trails are a great place to start, and there are lots of varying lengths so you can decide how far you want to go. But whether you take a short hike or a long one, you’ll enjoy these urban yet natural hikes in the heart of San Diego!
Learn more about all the hiking opportunities at Balboa Park!
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