Canyons of City Heights

This hike will be a tour of four little-known canyons and three parks in the City Heights district of San Diego:

• Azalea Community Park
• Charles Lewis III Memorial Park
• Manzanita Canyon
• 47th Street Canyon
• Swan Canyon
• Pepper/Hollywood Canyon
• Hollywood Community Park

The total distance is about four miles, and it should take about two hours.

The terrain varies from level to quite steep. About a mile will be on streets and sidewalks. City canyons have all the regular hazards of the outdoors: rattlesnakes, rocky slopes, poison oak, etc. They also have a few others, such as discarded refrigerators.

We've done this hike several times before, most recently on April 6, 2017. For details, including pictures, see https://www.meetup.com/sandiegodayhikers/events/238944956/.

Every time we do this hike, there's something new. This time, there's a trail connecting 47th Street Canyon to Quince Street.

Leashed dogs are allowed.

We'll start and end in Azalea Community Park, located at 2596 Violet Street (N 32 43.965 W 117 6.471). It is served by MTS bus 965, which runs every half hour on weekdays. MTS bus 13 stops about a half mile away on Fairmount Ave. near Poplar St. The park has rest rooms.

If you are driving a car, take the Fairmount Ave. exit from I-8 and go south on Fairmount Ave. It turns into 43rd St. when you pass through the main business district of City Heights, but it rejoins Fairmount Ave. again. Turn right into Poplar St.

Or take the Home Ave. exit from eastbound Highway 94, follow Home Ave. northeast for about a mile, and turn left onto northbound Fairmount Ave. Turn left into Poplar St.

In either case, turn west into Poplar St. and follow it about a half mile. Azalea Community Park is at the end of Poplar St. (where it intersects Violet St.).

We meet at 9:00 AM and step off at 9:15 AM.

Hiking shoes or boots are recommended, because some of the trails are rocky. Take water and a snack. Take a camera if you wish.

CONTACT: Philip Erdelsky cell 619-866-8512 e-mail: pje@efgh.com

A street map of the area has been posted at www.efgh.com/np/azaleapark.gif