The best hiking trails in San Diego

Located in La Jolla but close to Del Mar, all the locals know about Torrey Pines. Gorgeous coastal views are guaranteed, and options to view the famous Torrey pine trees abound. Advanced and beginning-level trails are available here, as the area is known to be family-friendly. A bonus is that the less populated Torrey Pines State Beach can be reached by trail. Come with a plan, as parking can get tight on weekend mornings.

Black Mountain has several trails north of San Diego in Rancho Peñasquitos, but the summit is perfect for beginners with its four miles of roundtrip terrain. On a clear day, hikers can enjoy the ocean, mountains and even the downtown skyline views. Black Mountain also has an Open Space Park of 2,352 acres of lush sage-covered hills, ridges and canyons.

This park lies about eight miles east of downtown lies and boasts 60 miles of trails, boating on Lake Murray, camping at Kumeyaay Lake and several scenic hikes. Cowles Mountain Trail is one of the most popular trails for its steep, challenging climb and rewarding hilltop views. It sees plenty of foot traffic, so you’ll want to plan accordingly to avoid the many climbers, bikers, and leashed dog walkers.

This lovely natural park in the west of San Diego encompasses 6.5 miles of trails that can be jogged and biked. These relatively flat and steady trails are easy hikes, featuring a few creek crossings after winter rains. On a spring day, you can find an abundance of wildflowers and lush greenery as you stroll the canyon and plenty of shade from the variety of trees.

This 2.5-mile trail has astounding views of the Pacific, downtown, Coronado, Tijuana and arriving ships. By the old lighthouse, which is free to enter with your parking fee, follow the signs to the road and dirt path below. With plenty of benches to rest and take in the views, this trail is great for novice hikers, tourists and families. Cabrillo has a rich military history, and artifacts can be found throughout the park.

Potato Chip Rock is one of the most Instagrammed hike points in San Diego. As part of the Mt. Woodson Trail between Poway and Ramona in Northern San Diego, it is a unique rock formation that looks as thin as a potato chip. It’s about 7.5 miles, is considered a moderately challenging hike, and while open year-round, you’ll want to start your hike early, as crowds regularly form around the rock for photo ops.

Reopened to the public in 2016 after extensive vandalism removal from the canyon’s walls, Annie’s Canyon by Solana Beach is a hidden gem of a hike with sandstone walls. Unlike other wide-open hikes in San Diego, Annie’s Canyon is a narrow slot canyon near the coast. Very Instagrammable, the short hike is a little over two miles, can be moderately challenging and takes an average of one hour to climb through.

Not just a place for a zoo or museum visit, Balboa Park also has remarkable hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. There are 65 miles of terrain to choose from, with different entry points in the city's center. Start at the Golden Hill gateway, Park Boulevard, Morely Field, Sixth and Upas or Marston Point. Urban and natural scenery make this an easily accessible hiking area.

The Azalea Glen Loop of Cuyamaca Peak is located in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park about an hour east of downtown San Diego. It is a reasonably challenging route with a 6,512 foot elevation and the peak is the second highest point in San Diego County. In winter, hikers can discover snow-capped trees, and on clear days, can see as far as the Coronado Islands and Table Top Mountain in Mexico.