5 Hiking Trails to See in San Diego if You’re Not in Pain

San Diego county is unbelievable with beautiful hillsides for hiking. Here are recommendations on where to hike if you are not having any pain or injuries keeping you from hiking.

1. Three Sisters: This is not an extremely long hike but it can be pretty brutal and that’s mainly because no one has ever done any real trail work here. There is a big section where you go straight down or straight up depending on which direction you are traveling. There is a section where you climb down some rocks/cliffs using a rope someone hung there, maybe you’ll trust the rope, maybe. Either way, this is one of the most beautiful sites you will see around San Diego. Aptly named, there are three waterfalls and it is a SITE. Plus, the water can be raging because of the rain, depending on the year.

2. Cedar Creek Falls: This is a semi-long trail and it’s all downhill on the way there and all uphill on the way back, so it’s semi-taxing but not a hard trail. This is the tallest waterfall in San Diego county…and it’s gorgeous. It can also be one of the busiest hikes around, plus you need a permit to hike it. Spring and fall are the best times to go as summer temps can be harsh and the trail temperature will get into the 110 degree range, so go before it gets too hot!

3. El Cajon Mountain/El Capitan: This trail is not for the faint of heart. It is brutal in all senses of the word. It has elevation changes to make even the seasoned hiker regret making the decision to go and it’s one of the longer hikes to any of the peaks in the county. But it sure has a view…the top is stunning! You can see everything for 360 degrees…even Catalina Island, which is a long way. So, start this hike early and don’t wait until it’s too hot out.

4. Lawson Peak: This hike is straight up and straight down, but it has to be the most adventurous route around. It can get a little tough near the top, as there is some rock climbing involved. You have to trust some random ropes unless you want to do some more serious rock climbing, but it sure does get your inner child going! Once again, the views are pretty stellar as well!

5. Torrey Pines: What a beautiful beach trail! We don’t have the scenic cliffs and rocks of Northern California, Oregon, or Washington but we have Torrey Pines. Not a difficult hike…you can make it longer, and you’ll have to enjoy the view/trails with a multitude of other people. There is the far trail where the wind cut sand formations are like a scene from Mars. It’s a pretty special place. The hike can be enjoyed year round and you can finish with one of the best beaches in the world!

Those are the top hikes in San Diego to enjoy if you do not have any aches or pains keeping you from enjoying sunny San Diego. And as always, stay classy, San Diego!

As always, we hope this helps! If you have any questions or if you would like to read about certain topics, feel free to send us an email at TeamSP@SportsPerformancePT.com.

-Dr. Nick – Physical Therapist