5 San Diego Hikes That Are So Secretive

It may be almost the end of summer but that doesn’t stop us from going out doors! Hopefully, the weather will cool down and you can enjoy these hikes around San Diego. From chilling by the lake or taking in breath taking views all skill level hikers and adventures can enjoy these great hikes. 

Strap on your backpack and enjoy these 5 best hiking trails in San Diego. 

Doane Valley at Mt. Palomar

Hiking around San Diego can get overwhelming, with many choices. Look no further. Palomar Mountain State Park in northern San Diego County is a beautiful place to hike, camp, picnic, and fish in Doane Pond. The park’s elevation is 5,000 feet above sea level. Along with panoramic views of the ocean and desert, you can go to the The Boucher Hill Fire Lookout.  The Boucher Hill Fire Lookout is a fully functioning fire tower at Palomar Mountain State Park.  For the star gazers, the park has the Palomar Observatory, owned and operated by the California Institute of Technology.  It is open every night  for scientific advancement, instrument development, and student training.

Also Read: The Pacific Crest Trail 

Lake Dixon 

In Escondido, Lake Dixon is a popular place to hike, fish, camp and do water activities like fishing and renting paddle boats. A great site to visit is the Daley Ranch, a historic farm house and ranch that offers several other hiking trails from easy to hard. For a group hiking schedule visit. https://www.escondido.org/daley-ranch-hikes.aspx

Lake Hodges 

For those early risers, you can see the mist rising off the lake and the white cranes in the morning at Lake Hodges in North County San Diego. The lake was created by a dam built in 1918 by Coronel Ed Fletcher  If you want to cool on by the lake, boats and kayaks can be rented. Guided tours can direct you on your hike and show how the Indians lived. Lake closes Oct 31st and reopens in February.  It is open Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.  

Double Peak

One of the best places to go hiking in San Diego is located on the top of San Elijo Road and by the San Marcos water tower is Double Peak.  You can enter from Discovery Lake and the hike is 5 miles round trip, trails are moderate to more difficult. There is an entrance off of San Elijo Road to drive up to the top where you can see the 360 degree view of  Lake San Marcos to Camp Pendleton to Carlsbad. Along the hike, you can see where the 2014 fires burned near Cal State University San Marcos. 

The Way Up Trail at Harmony Grove

Another hike in San Diego you must try is the The Way Up Trail at Harmony Grove in the Elfin Forest Reserve. The 784-acre Reserve was developed by OMWD in partnership with the SD County Water Authority and the U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Land Management, as an element of the Olivenhain Water Storage Project and the Authority's Emergency Storage Project. The switchback path to the top of the mountain is called The Way Up Trail. There is a beautiful stream at the base of the mountain.  At the top, are several miles of hiking and biking trails.