Hikes in the San Diego Area

If you happen to be in San Diego or in the area and want to go for a day hike, here is a short overview of possible destinations.

Surroundings:
Starting from the small stripe of coastal bluffs most of the immediate hinterland has sparse vegetation, mostly brushland. Only in valleys waterholes may sometimes be found with trees. In this region you may find some destinations in still densly populated area, like Cowles Mountain. There may be occasional boulders that invite for bouldering, e.g. the Santee Boulders.

If you move further inland terrain will rise up to levels of over 500 m, you will find less people, take for example McGinty Mountain or the Otay Mountains. 

Moving further inland still you will now find peaks of over 1000 m, still sparse vegetation, e.g. the El Cajon Mountain. There are some barrier lakes in this area.

Only if you move still further inland and get close to 2000 m you will find wood, there is even rare snow in this area, e.g. Cuyamaca Peak or Stonewall Peak.

Further east terrain drops down again to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.

Biggest danger to hikers are rattlesnakes and dehydration.