San Diego Day Hikers

Overview: An urban walk, circling downtown San Diego. About 7 miles, duration 3 hours. 250 feet of elevation gain. This is NOT a casual stroll: we will be walking briskly (about 3 MPH). This is a VERY urban walk, but with lots of beauty, especially the architectural wonders, and the view of the bay from the Embarcadero.

Route: Start at the west side of Balboa Park, downhill on Laurel to India St. Through Little Italy; check-out the sculptures at the County Admin building. South along the bayside Embarcadero, past the Star of India & Midway, to Seaport Village, then Embarcadero Marina & Rady Shell. Pass the Convention Center and Petco Park. North on 5th Avenue through the Gaslamp district to Balboa Stadium, then over freeway 5 on a little-known pedestrian bridge, to the old Naval Hospital, and into Balboa Park. Pass some museums, then across the Cabrillo bridge, returning to our starting point. Route map in "Photos" section below.

Start time: Meet at 8:30am, start walking promptly 8:35am.

Rain Cancels: If it is raining that morning, I'll post a note in the Comments section below.

Start at: Intersection of Balboa Dr and El Prado (west edge of Balboa park).

Parking: Best parking is on Balboa Dr (Balboa Drive is a one-way street, and is best entered from the intersection of 6th and Upas). The city will soon start charging for parking in Balboa park, probably starting on 5 January. For details, see: https://www.sandiego.gov/parking/balboapark . The parking should be free on Sunday 4 January, but I cannot promise that.

Restrooms: At start/end of walk, and a couple places along the walk.

Bring a positive attitude! This is a friendly, welcoming event. No negative energy allowed :-)

Hazards: We'll be crossing dozens of intersections on downtown streets, so walkers will need to be alert for traffic.

Release of liability: Attendees understand that the organizer is simply arranging the walk and is not assuming any responsibility. By clicking "Attend" button below, attendees agree to assume all risks of injury, and agree to not hold event organizer liable in any way.

Contact: Neal O. via Comment section below.

Saturday, January 10 | 9 a.m. (Sign–in at 8:30 a.m.)

Strenuous: The 7.0-mile hike will go south from San Elijo Park and up Denning Road to the top of Denk Mountain. Hikers will pass Denk Water Tank and explore the trail connections to Carlsbad. Hikers will return via Copper Creek and Copper Canyon. 850-foot elevation gain.

Meeting location: San Elijo Park, 1105 Elfin Forest Road, San Marcos 92078 (Recreation Center parking lot)

Note dogs are not permitted on this hike.

For question, please call 760-744-9494 Ext. 3707

Relatively easy mostly flat trail hike after initial short steep access down from the cul-de-sac at North end of Biltmore St. in North Clairemont.
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Wonderful initial forest-type canopy over the dirt trail alongside a little creek with ponds, until coming out into the main wide hiking trail in the center of San Clemente Canyon/Marion Bear Park.

Many huge sycamores and oaks in this City open-space park with a wide main trail and small stream with some ponds that may have minnows, tadpoles and some orange crawdads if you are lucky/observant enough and go in the wetter season.

Great place to exercise walk and commune with nature for a little while as we tune out any noise from Highway 52 which runs along the North side of San Clemente Canyon. There is some poison oak growing under the trees and off the trail, but we don't venture off the trail or into any bushes so we don't touch it.

Meet us BY 1pm at the North end of Biltmore St, at the trailhead post on sidewalk there.

Early parking in the cul-de-sac, later comers please park up the hill by Capehart St. Please don't block anyone's driveway!

Dress appropriate for the weather/temp ( any rain cancels ) and wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a bottle of water and your camera, hat and sunscreen, binos if you like to see birds up close.

Park bathroom is about halfway along this hike. None at trailhead.

You are solely responsible for your safety and well being on any event posted by this group! No organizer/host of this group is in any way liable for any injury or misfortune that could occur. Rsvping here confirms your full acceptance of all responsibility.