Top rated Hiking areas in San Diego, United States to elevate your visit (Updated March, 2024)

Top rated Hiking areas in San Diego

Experience the best that San Diego has to offer with our curated list of top-rated places. Sorted by average review scores from venues boasting over 30 reviews, these establishments promise exceptional quality and experiences to elevate your visit in the city. This list contains 40 places from Hiking area category.

Sort results by

Best

Top rated

Most reviewed

Hidden gems

Worst rated

Recently discovered

🆕

Search radius

1 km 2 km 5 km 10 km 30 km 50 km 100 km 250 km

Within San Diego

Pyles Peak summit

Hiking area

👍👍 Only way to hit this peak is to go up Cowles first, making for a double peak adventure. Worth every minute. More secluded and quiet.

4.90 (87 reviews)

Climbers Loop North Trailhead

Hiking area

👍👍 Great quick trail with strenuous stretches throughout - lots of large boulders and steps giving you a great workout with beautiful views.

4.90 (61 reviews)

Kwaay Paay Peak Trailhead

Hiking area

4.90 (48 reviews)

Sunset Cliffs Cave

Tourist attraction

👍👍 Absolutely Gorgeous!! Check the times for low tide before going to the cave for safety. Be extra careful when going down to the cliffs. Walking to get to the caves can be slippery, expect to get wet. It’s was a great day exploring the caves!!!

4.80 (2.1K reviews)

Cowles Mountain Trailhead

Hiking area

Picturesque uphill hiking trail known for its panoramic views at the summit.

4.80 (1.7K reviews)

Point Loma Tide Pools

Hiking area

National monument rock pools exposed at low tide below sandstone cliffs teeming with rich sea life.

4.80 (1.4K reviews)

Fiesta Island Dog Park

Dog park

Dogs can roam without a leash in this large, fenced space on a peninsula with meadows & a beach.

4.80 (1.2K reviews)

Cowles Mountain

Hiking area

👍👍 Fun hike with a decent amount of elevation. Super crowded on weekends as you’d expect so getting there early is key - once the sun comes out, it can get pretty toasty on the trail too.

4.80 (661 reviews)

Mission Trails-Kwaay Paay Peak

Hiking area

👍👍 If you like hikes with a goal, this is a good option. Unlike Cowles mountain this trail is greener and offer occasional shade. There are some steps to climb, but other than that it's your regular unpaved hiking path. On the way back you may want to slow down a bit if you want to take easy on your k...

4.80 (327 reviews)

Kwaay Paay Peak

Hiking area

This 1,194-ft-high peak in Mission Trails Regional Park features a hiking trail & sweeping views.

4.80 (183 reviews)

South Fortuna Summit

Hiking area

👍👍 Probably my favorite trail in Mission Trails. It’s great for trail running or hiking.

4.80 (116 reviews)

Oak Canyon Waterfall (seasonal)

Hiking area

👍👍 During rainy season this hike is a lo5 of fun. If it has recently rained be prepared to cross minor water. Waterfall is not very big but the hike along the river is beautiful. There is a parking lot but it only fits a handful of cars.

4.80 (87 reviews)

San Pasqual Trail Peak - Raptor Ridge

Hiking area

4.80 (35 reviews)

San Dieguito River Trail

Hiking area

👍👍 This trail is right next to the freeway but after walking only for few minutes you will be in the wilderness, it's a bird sanctuary, you can see beautiful blooms of wild flowers in spring

4.80 (32 reviews)

Old Mission Dam

Historical landmark

👍👍 Aside from parking being a bit tough at peek times, this place is great! You can either park by the dam or hike there after starting by the visitor center! Depending on the time of year, the water levels at the dam rise and fall! There are great trails surrounding the dam and informative signs and i...

4.70 (658 reviews)

Piedras Pintadas Trailhead

Hiking area

👍👍 Definitely a fantastic, user-friendly, family-friendly, super accessible trail. More of a walk than a hike, so it's manageable with kids. Beautiful views of Lake Hodges.

4.70 (455 reviews)

Blacks Beach Trailhead

Hiking area

👍👍 Very nice secluded minimally busy beach. Nude optional, rescue teams including a helicopter on hand. Very tall long hiking trails, and steep terrain. Jellyfish and other sea life, succulents, lizards and natural aesthetics.

4.70 (413 reviews)

Barker Way Trailhead

Hiking area

👍👍 Anytime you can park here and go hiking with your best friends and loved pups! San Diego is the best city in the US

4.70 (365 reviews)

La Jolla Trail

Hiking area

Sweeping ocean views are offered from this rugged hiking trail with steep, narrow sections.

4.70 (328 reviews)

Lake Murray Trail Head

Hiking area

👍👍 Beautiful early morning walks are the best before the sun peeks over the mountains. Plenty of parking except on Tuesdays. Park parking closed for cleaning- to date I've never seen anyone cleaning the place. Plenty of parking on side streets, though. 5 miles. You gotta touch the bullseye then make yo...

4.70 (160 reviews)

« Previous page
Next page »

Tip: Click on the rating to open it on Google Maps

Top rated Hiking areas in San Diego, United States