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San Diego Day Hikers

4.8•6041 ratings

San Diego, CA, US

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About us

Moderately paced day hikes in San Diego County, California. A monthly happening for more than thirty-five years, formerly on the last Saturday of each month. Currently weekday hikes nearly every week, and some cross-posted hikes from other social media groups. Some GPX tracks and other information are posted at http://www.efgh.com/SDDH/

Upcoming events

20

Balboa Park's East Side
Tue, Mar 10 · 9:30 AM PDT
Bird Park at Morley Field, 28th Street, San Diego, CA, US
This is a 4.3-mile loop around the east side of Balboa Park, featured in Schad's 50 Best Short Hikes San Diego. It includes parts of the Vuelta de Balboa Hike, but hiking shoes are recommended for this hike because more of the route is unpaved, and there are some steep, rocky spots where hiking poles will be helpful. However, it is significantly shorter than the Vuelta de Balboa Hike.

Along the way, we'll pass two dog parks, Bird Park (marked by bird names etched into the pavement), a native plant park at Morley Field, and other interesting places.

Dress in suitable layered clothing, take some water, and use sun protection. No lunch stop is planned, but you might want to take a snack.

We've done this hike before, most recently on July 22, 2025. For comments and pictures, see www.meetup.com/sandiegodayhikers/events/310025713.

Leashed dogs are allowed.

The hike includes a long trail down the middle of Florida Canyon, which is also called Powderhouse Canyon, or (erroneously) Powerhouse Canyon.

We'll meet at 9:30 AM at Bird Park at the corner of Upas St. & 28th St. & Pershing Dr. (N 32 44.454 W 117 8.019) and step off at 9:45 AM.

NOTE: We've MOVED the starting point to a location with ample free parking on nearby streets.

SUGGESTED AUTOMOBILE ROUTE: Take the Pershing Dr. exit from either northbound or southbound I-5. Follow Pershing Dr. to its end on Upas St. at 28th St. Park on 28th St. or another nearby street.

There are no rest rooms at the meeting place, but we will pass some rest rooms along the way.

CONTACT: Philip Erdelsky, cell 619-866-8512 E-mail pje@efgh.com.
17 attendees
Torrey Pines Beach and Reserve
Thu, Mar 12 · 9:30 AM PDT
Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego, CA, San Diego, CA, US
5.5mi 650ft ascent. Hazard - a number of steps to climb.

Description:
The Reserve was recently re-opened after several months of construction work.
Tide permitting we will walk along the beach to Flat Rock and then ascend steps leading to several view points and a final loop around Guy Fleming trail before returning along the road back to the beach.

Directions:
Take I-5 North and exit on Carmel Valley Rd (33B). Turn left, follow Carmel Valley Rd and park along side of road before reaching Del Mar Scenic Pkwy. Otherwise turn right on Del Mar Scenic and search for parking along that street. Arrive early to find parking. We will meet at the entrance to the North Beach parking lot at the corner of Carmel Valley and Del Mar Scenic.

Google Maps: Carmel Valley Rd.& Del Mar Scenic Parkway
Apple Maps: Carmel Valley Rd.& Del Mar Scenic Parkway
GPS: 32º 56.1514' N , 117°15.4473' W

Previous hike here was 7/25.
https://www.meetup.com/sandiegodayhikers/events/308759456

Take a hat, water, sunscreen and a snack. Toilets in car parks.
Dogs are NOT allowed in the reserve or on the beach.
10 attendees
Chollas Lake History & Wildflowers Hike
Sat, Mar 14 · 1:00 PM PDT
Chollas Lake Park, 6350 College Grove Dr, San Diego, CA, US
Join Ranger Carey to discover the rich history of the Chollas Lake area. This hike will encircle Chollas Lake Park offering wonderful scenery. Unique wildlife, native plants, and interesting geology will also be discussed.
*BONUS- It's wildflower time at Chollas! We will be identifying native flowers as well.

Note that this hike of intermediate difficulty is 2 miles long on loose dirt surfaces with some steep hills and steps.
Bring water, sun protection and sturdy shoes.

Leashed, friendly dogs are welcome. Please bring extra water for our pet.

Meet at the north end of the parking lot near the restrooms, on the east side of Chollas Lake. Allow plenty of time for parking. If the lot is full, you will need to park on the street and walk in.
9 attendees
FREE Multi-groups Local Urban Trail Hike- Marian Bear Park ~ 4 miles
Sat, Mar 21 · 1:00 PM PDT
Marian Bear Park meet at Biltmore St access trailhead post, 5228 Biltmore St, San Diego, ca, US
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.
We require your first name and YOUR true recognizable face picture showing on your profile here, for attendance at my IN PERSON hikes!

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.
4 attendees

Past events

2045

Organizers

Philip Erdelsky and 12 others

Members

21,940

Related topics

Outdoor Adventures