Balboa Park's East Side

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*.