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The Best Hiking in San Diego

Looking for the best hiking in San Diego? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around San Diego. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top hiking spots in and near San Diego

  • San Diego, California

    Blitmore Trail

    1.14 mi / 131 ft gain
    Blitmore Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near San Diego, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    Mission Bay Trail

    6.34 mi / 141 ft gain
    Mission Bay Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near San Diego, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    Hike the Rose Canyon Trail

    3.5
    8.9 mi / 725 ft gain
    This hike is open year-round but is especially beautiful in the spring when the wildflowers are blooming and the spring is running. This trail offers good entry level mountain biking, with mostly flat well maintained trails and a couple of challenging but doable hills. 
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  • San Diego, California

    Hike to the Rope Swing in Tecolote Canyon

    4.0
    4.4 mi
    Tecolote Canyon offers a great opportunity to explore nature right in the heart of San Diego, whether it is a hike, run, or bike ride on the trails.  But the best kept secret is perhaps a rope swing over the creek! The main trail starts off at Tecolote Canyon Natural Park & Nature Center, wh...
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  • San Diego, California

    Kate O Sessions Memorial Park

    0.78 mi / 171 ft gain
    Kate O Sessions Memorial Park is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near San Diego, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    Fiesta Island Trail

    4.13 mi / 89 ft gain
    Fiesta Island Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near San Diego, California,.
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  • San Diego, California

    Fiesta Island Southern Loop

    1.88 mi / 52 ft gain
    Fiesta Island Southern Loop is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near San Diego, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    Explore Old Town San Diego State Historical Park

    4.5
    1 mi
    From where Father Junipero Serra established the first of 21 California Missions in 1769, this area was the first permanent European settlement in the San Diego region. Today, past and present meet in a preserved historical park located near Downtown San Diego. You can explore life as it was in t...
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  • San Diego, California

    Shepherd Canyon

    2.06 mi / 194 ft gain
    Shepherd Canyon is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near San Diego, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    Scripps Coastal Reserve Biodiversity Trail Loop

    0.57 mi / 39 ft gain
    Scripps Coastal Reserve Biodiversity Trail Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near La Jolla, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    Surfing at Black's Beach via the Main Gate

    5.0
    1 mi / 650 ft gain
    With arguably some of San Diego’s best waves, Black’s Beach can be found in the vicinity of the University of California San Diego campus, at the southern end of Torrey Pines State Beach and north of La Jolla Shores. Stately eight-figure mansions now line the bluffs where pastures and the Black f...
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  • San Diego, California

    Ocean Front (Boardwalk)

    5.6 mi / 26 ft gain
    Ocean Front (Boardwalk) is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near San Diego, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    Fortuna Saddle Trail to Suycott Valley Trail to Rim Trail Loop

    4.52 mi / 741 ft gain
    Fortuna Saddle Trail to Suycott Valley Trail to Rim Trail Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near La Mesa, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    Claremont Mesa to Visitor's Center Loop

    4.49 mi / 689 ft gain
    Claremont Mesa to Visitor's Center Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near San Diego, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    South Fortuna Mountain and Fortuna Saddle Loop

    4.96 mi / 942 ft gain
    South Fortuna Mountain and Fortuna Saddle Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near La Mesa, California.
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  • San Diego, California

    La Jolla Coast Walk Trail

    5.0
    2.32 mi / 295 ft gain
    La Jolla Coast Walk is a beautiful coastline trail, but is a bit of a heavily trafficked tourist trail. The hike can be started and ended at 3 separate locations. The trail is easily accessible with a small parking lot and tons of restaurants nearby.  The trail begins near another popular touris...
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