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.
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 3 Winter Hikes in San Diego
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
Crowds: High
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
Crowds: High
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
Crowds: High
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!
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. 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
First aid kit
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!
Final Thoughts on Winter Hikes in San Diego
The winter months are a great time to enjoy hiking in San Diego. The days are cooler, making the desert-like hiking more enjoyable. If you want a beach hike, Carlsbad State Park is an excellent option for those warmer days when you want a relaxing walk along the ocean. Have you done any winter hiking in San Diego? Let me know in the comments below!
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/
