San Diego is a well-established, laid-back, sun-soaked beach city with a popular boardwalk and tourist attractions, Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. Yet outside the tourist hot-spots is an entirely different half of the town- one that the locals enjoy and keep to themselves. Dotted throughout the county are secret paths that meander through oak-filled canyons, rocky mountain paths and quiet river corridors, allowing the city to melt away. These hiking paths will allow you to immerse yourself in nature, breathe the fresh air and explore a more real San Diego.
Whether you’re a hiker searching for new challenges, someone looking for trail riding near me to find scenic escapes, or simply curious about places tourists rarely step foot on, these lesser-known paths have something special to offer. They strike a balance between nature and seclusion, making them the perfect place to visit in order to relax and yet also to have fun. And for explorers who prefer to walk on horseback, there are exceptional opportunities to explore hidden paths with expert guides who can be wholly trusted.
Local Hidden Trail Gems
Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area
Located in San Diego County, with its creekside park and wildlife area, Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area forms a paradise for nature lovers. Well-developed roads are opening the way to both hiking and horseback riding through coastal sagebrush and chaparral environments with no people as far as the eye can see. This area permits leashed dogs, and a CDFW Lands Pass is required to access this area.
Mission Trails Regional Park – Minor Routes
Although Mission Trails is a popular destination to hike to Cowles Mountain, consider some of the lesser-used areas like South and North Fortuna- which have rim trails accessed near the Old Mission Dam or the Visitor Centre- and the 60 miles of equestrian, bike, and footpaths are expanded with new access points and preserved areas.
Rancho State Park
At about 40 miles northeast of San Diego, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park covers an area of approximately 26,000 acres of pine, fir and oak forests. It has steep, circular paths through wooded mixed woods- great places to get away from the hustle of the coast. You can practice horseback riding here, and the park tracks are rugged and quiet. (Wikipedia)
San Dieguito River Park
The greenway stretches 55 miles between the lagoon and the mountains and provides some sections of the Coast to Crest Trail, which are relatively undeveloped and quiet, which is ideal when a person wants to have a reflective stroll. The route is not complete yet (45 miles by 2017), but there is still some space to find pristine loops where nature is in charge.
Allied Gardens (Open Space in Vac Baldwin Park and Vac Tillman Park)
This 2-miler is an out-and-back through Allied Gardens that has you feeling like you are out in the country, even though you are walking right past the houses. Crossing the street to Adobe Falls Road will bring you to a playground and a quiet trail through the canyon without crowds of people.
Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail (Escondido)
This moderately complex 7-mile loop provides plenty of sweeping vistas that feel slightly different from the norm in Cowles or Iron Mountain. It runs North County along the I-15 underpass and through lovely Lake Hodges; it can be extended by the Coast to Crest Trail, in case you have more in mind.
Rose Canyon Trail
Secreted away on railroad lines in University City, Rose Canyon is quite remote. There is no designated parking area–you might squeeze into the high school lot–but once on the trail, the terrain is wildflower-filled cliffs, shady parkland, and a natural, rocky trail. You will even be able to hook up with the San Clemente Trail under SR-52, to make a longer loop.
Ho Chi Minh Trail (La Jolla Coast)
A true local’s secret spot, this scramble on the cliffs along the coast of La Jolla also provides gorgeous ocean vistas and some adventure. Expect steep and slippery rocks and narrow passages that lead down to Blacks Beach- worth the effort, should you be comfortable with a certain amount of risk and desiring solitude.
McGinty Mountain (local to Jamul)
Use this back-and-forth hike to get to a rare ecological reserve. The soil is a gabbro, which sustains rare endemic plants such as the Dehesa nolina. There are also old mine shafts you will pass, marking the porcelain-era mining; be sure to admire these beautiful reminders, but not to approach them (they are unsafe to enter).
Calcite Mine Hike (Anza-Borrego Desert)
This is a beautiful 4.3-mile loop trek, particularly appealing to those who love the desert and also enjoy history. You will play in a wash, journey down a slot canyon, and see the location of an old calcite mine with signage and the find of mineral flakes. In spring, there are wild flowers on the desert floor, and it is an ideal place to have a lovely picnic with a view.
Why These Trails Feel “Hidden”
- But less in whalesomeness than Cowles or Torrey Pines
- Use less popular access points or other loops
- Topography of varietals- low-level woodlands and high-altitude forests
- An extensive wildlife habitat that employs the sense of closeness and tranquillity
Elegance Trail Fun Integrated with Equestrian Adventure
Add some horseback riding to 9 the trail and tour? The great advantage of San Diego Trail Company is that it is locally based, and so one can only have a ride of the places frequented by the locals. Their guided trail rides in Poway pair you up with a horse based on your experience level and have going around loops that are accommodating to the first-time horse person or the experienced horse person.
During morning rides or afternoon rides, they can order a picnic (including snacks and drinks). Riding back to nature with professional guides is something which cannot be matched by anything.
Sample Itinerary: A Locals-Only Day Out
| Time | Activity |
| Morning | Hike North Fortuna rim loop (past Old Mission Dam) |
| Midday | Head to Hollenbeck Canyon for a quieter sketch of nature |
| Afternoon | Saddle up with San Diego Trail Company for a guided horseback picnic ride through Poway’s countryside. |
| Sunset | Finish with a reflective stroll along a lesser-used Coast to Crest Trail segment as evening settles. |
Conclusion
Through oak-laced canyons and majestic conifer forests, hikers can find a patchwork of these serene scenes to enjoy, and only the natives of the area usually get to see these places. Make your visit to San Diego memorable by opting for horseback riding near me; it will give you a multi-sensory approach to exploring the natural beauty of the region. With a combination of peaceful, secluded and horsey culture, this alternative adventure is one that you definitely won’t forget.
