Best Winter Hikes in San Diego County: Beaches and Mountains
San Diego is known for its mild weather and year-round sunshine, but when the winter season comes it’s prime hiking season. Hiking trails in southern California tend to be hot, dusty, and lacking in shade. Which is why hiking in the winter is ideal as the mild temperatures make the lack of shade and desert environments enjoyable and safer for hiking. I’ve explored many hiking trails in San Diego, but I will share my favorite hikes for the winter season.
In this blog post, we’ll go over:
Introduction to Hiking in San Diego
Best time to hike in San Diego
Ranking System
Best 5 hikes in San Diego County
Hiking Trail Details
Regional Hikes
What to pack for a day hike
What to wear winter hiking in San Diego
Introduction to San Diego Hiking
San Diego County is a hiker’s paradise, offering a diverse range of trails that offer something for all skill levels and interests. San Diego's desert, particularly the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, features stunning and diverse landscapes, including oases and mild weather, making it an ideal winter hiking destination.
From the scenic coastal routes to the rugged mountain peaks, San Diego’s unique landscape provides endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
With over 1,000 miles of hiking trails, San Diego County is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and a chance to connect with nature.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, San Diego’s hiking trails have something for everyone.
Best Time to Hike in San Diego
San Diego’s mild climate makes it an ideal hiking destination year-round. However, the best time to hike in San Diego depends on your personal preference and the region you plan to explore.
Winter (December to February) is the best time to hike in San Diego’s desert regions, such as Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, as the temperatures are mild and wildflowers are in bloom.
Spring (March to May) is ideal for hiking in San Diego’s mountains, such as Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, as the weather is mild and wildflowers are in full bloom.
Summer (June to August) is best avoided in the desert regions, but the coastal areas, such as Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, offer a cooler and ideal hiking experience.
Autumn (September to November) is a great time to hike in San Diego’s mountains and coastal areas, as the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller.
Ranking System
I like to rank my hikes by difficulty so that you know what to expect. Here’s the breakdown:
Challenging: If a trail is over 7 miles long and/or has an elevation gain of 2,500 feet or more.
Moderate: If a trail is between 4 miles and 6.5 miles and/or has an elevation gain of 1,000 feet to 2,500 feet.
Easy: If a trail is between 1 mile and 3.5 miles and/or has an elevation gain of less than 1,000 feet.
Top 5 Winter Hikes in San Diego
1.Cowles Mountain: Hike to the highest point in San Diego and enjoy panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape. This moderate hike is popular for its rewarding summit views and is best tackled in the cooler winter months to avoid the intense summer heat.
2. Mother Miguel: Mother Miguel provides a moderate hike with rewarding panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. It’s a popular spot for both sunrise and sunset hikes.
3. Carlsbad Seawall Trail: If you’re looking for a beach hike, consider the paved and incredibly beautiful Carlsbad Seawall Trail. With easy parking, cute local cafes within walk distance, and even cute squirrels that pop up to say hello, this trail should be on your hiking list this winter.
4. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve: This scenic coastal hike offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and is a great spot to watch the sunset. The easy loop trail takes you along the edge of sandstone cliffs dotted with the rare Torrey Pines, providing a unique and picturesque hiking experience.
5. Big Laguna Loop: Offering views of Anza Borrego Desert, meadows, creeks, ponds, and forests, Big Laguna is a fun and moderate hike in San Diego county to get you outdoors without requiring lots of cardio effort. It even goes along part of the Pacific Crest Trail, allowing the possibility to meet thru hikers. This trail also highlights San Diego's desert, featuring unique oases and geological wonders.
Hiking Trail Details
View from the top of Cowles Mountain.
1. Cowles Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.0 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 900 ft
Time: 2 hours
AllTrails: Cowles Mountain Trail
Cowels Mountain is the highest peak in the city of San Diego and offers incredible views of downtown, the Pacific Ocean, and even into Mexico. This is a short, steep trail the entire way up, so I rated it as “moderate” rather than “easy.” This trail is crowded, so I suggest going early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak crowds.
This is also a very exposed hike, so I only hike it in the winter and the morning- I suggest you do the same. Due to this trail's steepness and popularity, it has become very eroded and rocky, so watch your step! It would be easy to twist an ankle on this trail.
There are two trails up the mountain, but I suggest the east side approach as it’s not as busy, and the views are better. To access the trailhead, drive to Big Rock Park, where you can access free parking along the street. You’ll follow Big Rock Trail for half the hike, avoiding a left turn for the Mesa Trail.
Once you get to Cowles Access Road, take a right and follow the wide dirt road to the summit. Watch out for and avoid the small side trails shooting off on the side; only the road will bring you to the summit. Once you reach the summit, you can enjoy 360 panoramic views of San Diego! Follow the trail back down in reverse to return to your car, or enjoy more trails in Mission Park.
View from the top of Mother Miguel.
2.Mother Miguel
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,040 ft
Time: 2.5 hours
AllTrails: Mother Miguel Via Stone House Trail
Mother Miguel is located near Chula Vista, CA, and like Cowles, it offers panoramic views. This steep, rocky, and exposed hike offers no shade and rapid elevation change. Although it’s relatively short, it is a strenuous 4.5 miles. This trail is also crowded, so I suggest hiking it early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and the afternoon sun.
But if you’re up to the challenge, this hike is fun and rewarding!
The trail begins at the end of the cul-de-sac on Paseo Veracruz in Chula Vista, right next to someone’s house. It’s an awkward start, but you can’t miss the trailhead and there is free on-street parking. After a short distance from the cul-d-sac, you’ll walk past a metal gate, where an obvious trail will be in front of you.
Still, I suggest you take a narrower trail to the left of the entrance, leading you beneath power lines and quickly merging with another trail from the left. From here, the trail does get confusing, and there are many options to go up.
I suggest staying with the switchbacks, as they’re easier on the body and better for the environment. From there, the trail will continue to rise as you make your way to the summit. Once there, you can enjoy the views and the fruits of your labor! Take the same path back down to your car.
The lower/beach portion of Carlsbad Sea Wall Trail facing south.
3.Carlsbad Sea Wall Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.5 miles in one direction
Elevation Gain: 26 ft
Time: .5 hours
AllTrails: Carlsbad Seawall Trail
If you’re looking for a relaxing walk along the beach without getting sand in your shoes, this is your spot! Grab a friend, grab a coffee, and have yourself a day. The Carlsbad Sea Wall is a paved trail that has an upper portion along the Pacific Highway, where there’s free parking and a lower portion runs smoothly along the beach with a wall on each side.
On average the trail is about 6 feet wide, with sections that open up to the beach so you can stake out a piece of sand. There is also a public restroom at the north end of the trail, which makes for a convenient day trip.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach side of the walk, but they can be leashed along the upper part beside the Pacific Highway.
Along the bottom path are adorable squirrels that provide fun entertainment*, and there are surfers to watch.
*Please do not feed or harass the wildlife <3
The squirrels are SO cute!
View of the Pacific Ocean from the Beach Trail.
4. Torrey Pines
Mileage: 2.5 miles
Trail type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1-2 hours
Dogs: No
Elevation Gain: 357 ft
AllTrails: Torrey Pines Beach Trail Loop
Torrey Pines is a true treasure in San Diego that I think is well worth the drive up to Del Mar and contending with the typically heavy crowds. This is an easy trail that takes you along the edge of beach side sandstone cliffs dotted with Torrey Pines, the namesake of the park.
Torrey Pines are unique to the area and require a certain set of conditions to grow, much the great sequoia trees to the north of San Diego in the high Sierras. You’ll follow the well marked trail down to the beach, along some switchbacks and gentle slopes.
The entrance to the Beach Trail in Torrey Pines.
Once you make it to the beach, be very mindful to not stand too close to the base of the cliffs. They are unstable, and pieces may come crashing down at any time without warning. From the beach, you can walk back to the main parking area where the entrance is.
Note that is a very busy trail and does fill up quickly, so make sure you get here early in the morning! What I think is really special about this trail is that as busy as it gets, you can really find some quite moments for peace and reflection. It doesn’t feel as busy as it is.
View of Laguna Meadow.
5. Big Laguna
Mileage: 10.2 miles
Trail type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 4-5 hours
Dogs: Yes, on a leash
Elevation Gain: 1,164 ft
AllTrails: Big Laguna Mountain Loop Trail
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon but don’t want to work too hard, consider hiking the Big Laguna Loop trail. At over 10 miles long it is a time consuming hike, but with only 1,100 feet of elevation gain it doesn’t take a crazy amount of effort.
This trail includes parts of the Pacific Crest Trail, so you may run into some thru hikers on this trip. Note that you are required to display an adventure pass on your windshield while parked, which you can purchase online and print out. This trail includes views of San Diego's desert, specifically the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, meadows, and beautiful dispersed forests.
The PCT section of the hike is the hardest and provides almost no shade, so I highly recommend that you hike this trail clockwise by beginning with the PCT. That way you don’t end up hiking in direct sunlight with no shade after hiking 8 miles… I have made this mistake before!
About 4 miles in the PCT will intersect with the Big Laguna Trail, where you’ll go somewhat straight and cross the road. Once you’re on the Big Laguna Trail the trail becomes shady and wooded, and at that point it becomes mostly flat.
Enjoy the views of meadows, trees, and even cows as you experience the Cleveland National Forest.
Looking towards Anza Borrego Desert on the PCT.
Regional Hikes
San Diego County offers a diverse range of hiking trails, each with its unique characteristics and attractions. The county can be broadly divided into three main regions: Coastal, Mountain, and Desert. Each region has its own distinct landscape, climate, and hiking opportunities.
Coastal Hikes
The coastal region of San Diego County is a hiker’s dream, offering stunning ocean views, scenic beaches, and picturesque lagoons. Imagine walking along rugged coastlines, exploring tide pools, and feeling the cool ocean breeze on your face. Some popular coastal hikes in San Diego County include:
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve: This 1,750-acre oceanfront reserve is a gem with sweeping ocean views, unique sandstone formations, and a variety of flora and fauna. The rare Torrey Pines trees add a special touch to the landscape, making it a must-visit for nature lovers.
Carlsbad Seawall: An easy, paved hike that takes you along the beach and the upper part of the seawall. Perfect for a hot day, this is one of my favorite hikes in the peak of summer.
Mountain Hikes
The mountain region of San Diego County is characterized by rugged peaks, rolling hills, and scenic valleys. Hikers can explore the mountains, forests, and meadows while enjoying the cooler temperatures and breathtaking views. Some popular mountain hikes in San Diego County include:
Cowles Mountain: As the highest peak in San Diego, Cowles Mountain offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape. It’s a moderate hike that’s perfect for those looking to challenge themselves while being rewarded with stunning vistas.
Mother Miguel: This scenic peak is a challenging hike with views of rolling hills, city scenes, and a variety of plants and flowers on the way up. The trail is short but steep, making it a great destination for both beginner and experienced hikers.
Desert Hikes
The desert region of San Diego County is known for its unique landscape, geological formations, and diverse wildlife. Hikers can explore the desert, canyons, and oases, while enjoying the warm sunshine and scenic views. Some popular desert hikes in San Diego County include:
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: This vast park is a treasure trove of unique geological formations, scenic canyons, and a variety of unique plants and flowers. It’s a great destination for those looking to experience the subtle beauty of San Diego’s desert landscape.
These regional hikes offer a glimpse into the diverse hiking opportunities available in San Diego County. Whether you prefer coastal, mountain, or desert hikes, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful county.
What to Pack for a Day Hike
Even on a short hike, you want to make sure that you have the right gear to keep you safe and comfortable.
For a full breakdown of what to pack, check out this blog post: What to Pack for a Day Hike- the Essentials
At a minimum, you should pack the essential ten:
Navigation: a map & compass or a GPS
Illumination: a headlamp
Sun protection: sunglasses, sunblock, and a hat
Emergency shelter
Insulation: wool beanie, midweight layer
Firestarter: waterproof matches
Gear repair kit: duct tape, sewing kit
Extra water
Extra food
In addition, you want to make sure that you pack:
Extra socks
Snacks
At least 2 liters of water
What to Wear on a Winter Hike
A winter hike in San Diego is a little different from hiking in the snow, but you still want to make sure that you wear the right layers to the trail. You should wear a baselayer, moisture-wicking materials, and a weatherproof shell.
It's also a good idea to wear wool socks and a good pair of hiking boots, and pack extra water and snacks. To make it easier to pack for a hike, I made a complete packing list so you don't have to worry about forgetting anything. Download below!
I also offer a full breakdown of what to wear winter hiking here: What to Wear Winter Hiking
Additional Resources
Turn by turn directions for Mother Miguel from Hiking SD County:
https://hikingsdcounty.com/mother-miguel-mountain-aka-the-rockhouse/
AllTrails link for Mother Miguel:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mother-miguel-mountain-via-rock-house-trail
Turn by turn directions for Cowels Mountain from the Hiking Guy:
https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/hiking-san-diego/cowles-mountain-hike/
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