Torrey Pines State Park


Torry Pines State Park is one of the most beautiful vistas in San Diego. Nestled in between University of California San Diego on the north end of La Jolla (just to the park's south) and Del Mar just to the park's north, the park is well marked off of Pacific Coast Highway. This urban escape can't be closer to civilization, yet from the trails all you see is the rare Torrey Pine (native to this small stretch of coast) and the ocean.

Once on the trails you are guaranteed to see other hikers. Still, the trails are extensive, with lots of benches and decks jutting off the main trails throughout the park, so you can take a moment to step off the main routes and have a little (semi) privacy. None-the-less, the views are rewarding, the air crisp and fresh, and the scenery beautiful. The wildflowers bloom here in the spring and there are some interesting cactuses and land formations, like the eroded sand that makes beautiful patterns.

The trails total to about 7 or 8 miles, and you can loop around to create several different routes. From the parking lot you can hike up the road (or drive and start from the lot at the top), and take quite a few short loops to see maintained gardens with plants of interest marked, or you can venture out on the the larger loops that ascend and descend a couple of times. You can hike down to the beach from the top of the park. However, I don't recommend to start at the beach because unless there are crowds of people hiking you may not be able to find the entrance. I tried this once and ended up in a scary predicament climbing a eroding wall and endangering myself as well as breaking park rules and hiking off trail through sensitive habitat, both of which I could have done without.

On a clear day you will be able to watch gliders hanging from the clouds as the La Jolla glider port isn't too far away. From the far southern edge of the park you can also (unfortunately) see the Torrey Pines golf course, a glaring green against the natural subdued colors. Still, this park is a great city escape for an afternoon hike or all day escapade. I recommend bringing a picnic and hiking down to one of the benches on the cliffs for a day you won't want to end and view you won't forget.

Cowles Mountain



Cowles Mountain (or Mount Cowles) is a great San Diego hike, part of the larger Mission Trails Park. The Mount Cowles is a great urban escape, head east on I8, exit College Avenue and go north (away from San Diego State University). Follow the road as it curves and changes names until you reach Navajo, and turn right. This road curves through some cute (though suburban) neighborhoods until you reach Mount Cowles on your left. Keep a sharp look out for the entrance at the stoplight. The parking will be on your right as you make the left turn off Navajo.

From here, you start the hike. It's pretty much ascent and descent. The whole hike should take about one and a half to two hours, depending on how fast you go. Some people run the whole thing and complete it in under and hour. I'm not quite there yet. You are guaranteed to pass other hikers while you hike, no matter what time or what day. Still, the trails are fun and the hikers are friendly.

At the top you are rewarded with amazing views of San Diego County in all directions. On a clear day you can see well into Mexico. There is a back route that you can take all the way down into Santee, and another that emerges off of Navajo a little further east.

A more adventurous option is to go to Cowles at night, by the light of the full moon. This is a popular hike and even after dark you will encounter other hikers. A fun option to this great easy escape!