Health & Fitness JUNE 7, 2023

5 Best Hikes Within an Hour of San Diego

Grab your boots, pack up your car, and head to these nearby trails for some new scenery

5 Best Hikes Within an Hour of San Diego
Courtesy of USDA Forest Service
Lake Morena PCT

Pacific Crest Trail from Lake Morena

Courtesy of USDA Forest Service

My seven-year-old son and I love Mission Trails. Together, we’ve tackled all five of the area’s peaks twice, and we are currently on a mission to cover every inch of trails in the park. What’s great about San Diego, though, is that you can get lost scoping out every trek in one area and still have a world of great hiking nearby to discover.

If you’re willing to drive a little bit for a new route, you’ll find mountains to climb, waterfalls to see, and coastal trails to explore. Here are five of the best hikes within an hour of San Diego:

Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail

View of Lake Hodges from the Bernardo Mountain Summit

Courtesy of Get Go Outdoors

Bernardo Mountain Summit Trail

This trail—situated a mere 30 minutes from downtown SD—overlooks Lake Hodges and takes you past the longest stress-ribbon bridge in the world. It starts along the highway, but quickly detours through spectacular meadows and marshes along the lake.

To take on the seven-ish miles out and back, park in the lot on Sunset Drive next to I-15 and follow the path down the road. At 1.8 miles, turn right to trace the Summit Trail to the top.

San Elijo Lagoon

The San Elijo Lagoon and ecology reserve located just off highway 101

Courtesy of San Diego County Parks & Recreation

San Elijo Lagoon

Looking for a laid-back jaunt? Try this flat and peaceful hike along the lagoon between Solana Beach and Cardiff, located around half an hour from downtown San Diego. The trails through the nature park will make you forget you’re just off the highway. Along the way, you’ll pass by a bird sanctuary, giving you a chance to see some nature up close.

One of my favorite parts is that the park has a seemingly endless network of multiple trails, so you can keep coming back without getting bored. Start at 2710 Manchester Avenue in Cardiff and follow the La Orilla route under I-5 to the Pole Road Trail, which covers eight miles out and back.

El Capitan

View of the valley from the El Capitan mountain trail

Courtesy of San Diego County Parks & Recreation

El Capitan

If you’re in the mood for a more intense adventure, this hike is my absolute favorite for a serious challenge. There are multiple hills to climb on your 11-plus-mile trek out and back. Soothe your sore muscles and catch your breath by stopping to admire the truly stunning views at multiple points along the way. There are also helpful signs letting you know how far you’ve gone—and how much farther you have to go.

Find the trail on Wildcat Canyon Road and Shenma Road in Lakeside (about 35 minutes from downtown, depending on traffic) and follow the signposts. But make sure to check the date: El Capitan is closed in August due to the heat.

Cedar Creek Falls

Cedar Creek Falls located in Ramona

Courtesy of Mountain Made

Cedar Creek Falls

This hike leads you to a fantastic waterfall and, at just under six miles out and back, is a good choice for beginners starting to test their limits. Hit Cedar Creek during the cooler months to spot an 80-foot waterfall and a swimming hole at the end. The cliffs around the waterfall are closed to climbing, and no alcohol is allowed—because this spot used to be a place for daytime drinking and ill-advised diving.

To reach it, hop in the car for around an hour and park at the Cedar Creek Falls Trailhead on Thornbush Road in Ramona.

PCT

View of the U.S. Mexico border from the Pacific Coast Trail

Courtesy of USDA Forest Service

Pacific Crest Trail from Lake Morena

Cheryl Strayed’s memoir about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (and the subsequent Reese Witherspoon–led movie adaptation) made the path famous—so famous that it was completely overwhelmed with hikers for a few years. Now the crowds have thinned, but the jaw-dropping beauty of the trail remains. You can follow the PCT all the way from Mexico to Canada, but there are also gorgeous short stretches relatively near to San Diego.

Located about an hour’s drive away from downtown SD, one lovely section starts at the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot on Lake Morena Drive near its intersection with Lake Shore Drive, just outside the Lake Morena County Park. Take the PCT south for 2.9 miles, then turn north on a short trail that joins Morena Reservoir Road, which you can follow back to your start.

Claire Trageser has been writing for San Diego Magazine for 10 years. She also is a reporter at KPBS and writes for The New York Times, National Geographic, Marie Claire, Elle and Runner's World.

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Health & Fitness JANUARY 12, 2026 (Updated Jan 4, 2023)

9 San Diego Fitness Classes & Activities for the New Year

These gym, studios and programs will help get your body moving so you can meet your fitness goals

9 San Diego Fitness Classes & Activities for the New Year
Courtesy of Madhouse Dance

New year, new fitness goals, right? Like many people, we’re starting the new year with a focus on health and staying active. No matter what your fitness objectives may be, there are plenty of activities around town prepared to help you achieve them. From more traditional gym settings to unique ways of getting your body moving, these nine San Diego studios, wellness programs, and activities will help you start the new year off right.

Activate House

Start the year on the right foot with Activate House, the San Diego fitness studio and gym located in North Park offers spin, sculpt, and yoga classes. Calling themselves a “new-age fitness studio,” AH emphasizes intentional training through movement and encourages mental balance and well-being. The sense of community the studio cultivates is accentuated with eucalyptus towels, a juice bar, and highly trained staff.

2855 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104

Courtesy of Black Girls Run

Black Girls Run

Hit the pavement with Black Girls Run, a community that’s working to tackle obesity and motivate women to get out and move their bodies. Created in 2009, Black Girls Run has served the San Diego fitness scene as a resource for those looking to practice a healthy lifestyle, whether you’re an avid gym-goer or looking to start a fitness regimen. With national meet-ups already planned throughout the year, this movement is determined to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the community.

Various locations

Body University

Regardless of your fitness level, Body University in La Mesa caters to individuals’ needs and goals. The boutique gym offers small group private training services (6-8 people at a time) and focuses solely on one-hour weight lifting sessions. Though open to all gender identities, you’ll most often find it packed with women only, which can be less intimidating for women who may be new to lifting. BU also offers body building competition services as well as customized nutrition programs and lifestyle guidance. With fitness equipment including free weights, cardio equipment, personal training, and highly trained staff, you’re sure to achieve your wellness goals.

6062 Lake Murray Blvd. #205, La Mesa, CA 91942

CorePower Yoga

A staple in the San Diego fitness scene, CorePower Yoga offers both yoga and high-intensity strength training classes. Their newest class, Strength X focuses on helping you build lean muscles via targeted weight circuits and invigorating breath work. Five San Diego studios are hosting Strength X classes currently, and the Point Loma studio also offers scholarships to the CorePower Yoga Teacher Training program for BIPOC.

Various locations

Courtesy of Wheelchair Dance Organization Inclusive Dance

Wheelchair Dance Organization Inclusive Dance

Wheelchair Dance Organization (WDO) Inclusive Dance is making dance more accessible for everyone. The nonprofit organization works to decrease feelings of isolation among those living with disabilities by building a community of dancers at any and all levels. The variety of dance classes offered—Latin jazz, samba reggae, hip hop, Bollywood—are free, taught by professionals, and include modifications for those in wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Courtesy of The Experience Fitness and Mobility Studio

The Experience Fitness and Mobility Studio

When the Experience Fitness and Mobility Studio came onto the San Diego fitness scene, they were dedicated to creating a safe space for anyone wanting to reach their health and fitness goals, regardless of identity, race, age, sexual preference, or athletic ability. The openly LGBTQ, wife-owned gym offers a place to reach your fitness aspirations. With a variety of training styles and methodology, you’ll build muscle, improve your range of motion, and eliminate pain. Beyond physical fitness, studio recognizes the inclusion of mental and emotional well-being for overall health and wellness.

1264 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103

Courtesy of Madhouse Dance

Madhouse Dance

Spice up your workouts with dance fitness classes at Madhouse Dance. The nightclub-inspired studio is a welcome place to try out fitness choreography and get your heart racing through movement. Daily classes include chair choreography, beginners heels, and the studio’s flagship dance cardio. These classes are only open to women, non-binary, and femme-identifying individuals. If you want to try out Madhouse Dance from home, their website also features on-demand dance workouts.

1189 Morena Blvd., San Diego, CA 92110

Courtesy of P.volve

P.volve

Jordyn Berg

About Jordyn Berg

Jordyn Berg is a freelance writer whose favorite topics include food and travel. A Pacific Northwest native, she delights in exploring the best of San Diego, by searching for hidden gems, experiencing must-try restaurants, and soaking in the city’s amazing views.

Outdoors
Everything SD JUNE 11, 2025 (Updated Oct 10, 2023)

6 Local Hiking Groups to Join in San Diego

Meet fellow hikers by joining other outdoor-enthusiasts on routes around the city

6 Local Hiking Groups to Join in San Diego
San Diego Sierra Club

San Diego Day Hikers is one of the region’s most popular hiking groups on the social gathering website Meetup.com. But it has a pretty interesting past.

“The group started in the 1980s as a monthly hike, usually on the last Saturday, led by a professor from SDSU, and loosely affiliated with the Libertarian Party of San Diego,” says Philip Erdelsky, the group’s current leader. “Announcements were printed in the Libertarian Party newsletter, and also emailed to those who had email.”

Subscribers were mostly students and staff at SDSU, but Erdelsky took over the group in 1993. “I used email for the hike announcements, and in the late 1990s started posting the announcements on the Caltech Alumni server, which appeared on the then-new World Wide Web,” he says.

Fast forward to 2012, and Erdelsky decided to add the group to Meetup.com, calling it San Diego Day Hikers. Today, the group has nearly 22,000 members who join up for multiple hikes across the county every month. 

Typically around five to 25 people show up for hikes which are free to join. Erdelsky guides many of the hikes himself, using resources such as Schad’s Afoot & Afield in San Diego county.

Joining a local hiking group is a great way to get to know other people who share similar interests and can even help with finding new routes. Thankfully, there are plenty of hiking groups like San Diego Day Hikers to check out—most of which don’t require any membership or fees.

If you’re looking for a new crew to join, here are more San Diego hiking groups to check out:

Courtesy of Meetup.com

San Diego Day Hikers

This group gathers for hikes throughout the San Diego region with easy to moderate routes. The group usually hikes on the last Saturday of each month, but also has weekday evening excursions occasionally. Recent hikes include a Mission Bay five-mile walk, an urban four-mile hike through Marian Bear Park, and the five-mile Engelmann Oak Loop at Daley Ranch in Escondido.

UCSD Hiking

This group for the UCSD community has a discord channel where users plan hikes and other outings. To join, you must be a member of UCSD, either a student or staff. The group has around 2,850 members, and usually about 20 people turn out for hikes.

Recent hikes include the Santa Margarita River trail, Cowles Mountain, San Clemente Trail and the Potato Chip rock.

Courtesy of San Diego Happy Feet

San Diego Happy Feet

This group on Facebook has around 2,000 members and plans monthly hikes, including big challenges such as El Cajon Mountain. Organizers say the group is very active with regular events. They mostly focus on hiking, but also organize backpacking, camping, snowboarding, skiing, running, cycling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and road trips events. Members can also create their own events and post them to the group.

Recent hikes include El Cajon Mountain, Mt McGinty, and Black Mountain via Nighthawk Trail. Hikes are usually organized on Saturdays and Sundays early morning at 6 a.m., but also weekday shorter evening hikes at 6 pm.

San Diego Sloth Hiking Team on the SD River Gorge Trail
Courtesy of the USDA Forest Service

San Diego Sloth Hiking Team

This Facebook group is great for those worried about being too slow for a regular hiking group. They have nearly 7,000 members and plan regular outings on easier routes. They’ll also organize more challenging adventures such as hiking Mt. Baldy. 

“San Diego Sloth Hiking Team at Mt. Baldy. Started [the] hike at 3:30 a.m. and finished at 3 p.m.! Long day of hiking, laughs, a few curse words and a ton of beautiful views,” one user wrote on TikTok. Other hikes include Kitchen Creek Falls, Cedar Creek Falls in Ramona and Devils Backbone.

Courtesy of the San Diego Natural History Museum

Canyoneer Hikes

For a guided experience, the San Diego Natural History Museum offers free guided hikes throughout the county led by volunteers. Hikes are organized every weekend, but are capped in size, so you need to sign up in advance. Priority registration is given to museum members, but if there’s still space then anyone can sign up.

People often join to explore the canyons near their homes that they’ve always been curious about but were hesitant to explore on their own, according to organizers. They also take treks into the desert to explore in groups.

“I sought the Canyoneers out because I was looking to do more desert hiking, but I didn’t feel comfortable going alone,” said Daniel, one of the Canyoneer leaders, on the group’s website. “It’s easy to get lost, there’s spotty cell phone coverage, I’d think ‘what if I got a flat tire?’ The Canyoneers offered the opportunity to explore new trails that I wouldn’t hike on my own.”

Courtesy of the Sierra Club

Wilderness Basics Course

If you want more than just a regular hike to join, and are looking to boost your wilderness skills, you can check out the San Diego Sierra Club’s 10-week wilderness basics course. The course covers hiking, camping, and backpacking through 10 in-class lectures with four weekend outings.

Skills training includes selecting clothing, gear, and equipment; how to use a map and compass; physical conditioning; first aid and safety; food selection and preparation and water filtration; animal encounters; and sanitation. During the overnight outings, participants will have to supply their own equipment.

The course is offered each year from January to May with lectures at 7 p.m. on Tuesday nights in Escondido at San Pasqual High School and in San Diego at the First United Methodist Church – Linder Hall in Mission Valley.

This post contains affiliate links to products and services. We may receive compensation when you click on links.

Claire Trageser has been writing for San Diego Magazine for 10 years. She also is a reporter at KPBS and writes for The New York Times, National Geographic, Marie Claire, Elle and Runner's World.

Everything SD MAY 12, 2025

5 Summer Hikes in San Diego with Coastal Views

When the weather starts to heat up, these trails offer breathtaking views, ocean breezes and easy to difficult ascents

5 Summer Hikes in San Diego with Coastal Views

It may feel a bit cold and cloudy right now thanks to May grey, but warmer weather is fast approaching. And summer is the best time to head to the coast for all your hiking and walking. But don’t let our regularly temperate weather fool you, it can quickly get very hot as you get just 10 miles off the coast. 

So if you’re looking for hikes that beat the heat, we put together a list of our favorite coastal treks to enjoy as the weather starts to spike. With options that range from easy-peasy to more challenging, and all with breathtaking views, here are five of our top summer hikes in San Diego.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

This trail along the cliffs in Point Loma is perfect for an easy hike with kids or pets or if you just want a relaxed outing that isn’t too challenging. You can explore Sunset Cliffs’ wandering trails throughout the park and get beautiful ocean views all along the way. Be sure to pay attention to the signs that show where the ocean walls are degrading, to avoid any accidental slips.

  • Distance: ~1.5 miles (out and back)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Dogs: Allowed
  • Details: Look for free parking along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and then start the hike from there.

Cabrillo National Monument & Bayside Trail

For a slightly more challenging (read: hilly) trek, head to Point Loma’s Cabrillo National Monument which commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. Located here is Bayside Trail which  leads down to the beach before climbing back up. It sits on the southernmost point of San Diego, and makes you feel like you are at the end of the world as you look out to the far-reaching ocean beyond you. When you reach the bottom, there are cool tide pools you can check out as well.

  • Distance: 2.5 miles (out and back)
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Dogs: Only allowed on Coastal Trail
  • Details: You need a pass to enter, which costs $20.
Best Hikes in Southern California featuring Cactus to Clouds Trail on San Jacinto Peak in Palm Springs

Annie’s Canyon Trail

The Annie’s Canyon hike isn’t quite on the coast, but it’s close enough that you still get the cool breezes and beautiful views at the top. Plus, the climb to the top is exciting as you make your way up through a white slot canyon, with very narrow walls and ladders. Then you pop out on the top and can see the ocean.

  • Distance: 1.2 miles out and back
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Dogs: Allowed, but don’t try to bring them up the ladders in the canyon
  • Details: Parking is free. Park at 150 Solana Point Cir, Solana Beach, CA 92075 and follow the trail east to get to Annie’s Canyon. Don’t use Google Maps! You’ll avoid climbing a very steep hill along the highway

La Jolla Coast Walk Trail

The La Jolla Coast walk is is a pretty hike to take around La Jolla Village right along the ocean, with chances to take in the seals and sea lions along the way. You can explore the wandering paths all the way to La Jolla Shores Beach if you want to dip your toes in the ocean, or turn back at any point along the way.

  • Distance: ~0.6 miles (one way)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Dogs: Allowed
  • Details: Find street parking anywhere in La Jolla Village and then head to the trail.

Broken Hill Trail

This is one of the more challenging treks in Torrey Pines State Reserve and has beautiful cliffside views at the end. You can add to the distance to the Broken Hill Trail by taking many of the other offshoot trails—honestly, you can spend an entire day wandering through the reserve if you want to.

  • Distance: ~2.5 miles round trip
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Dogs: Not allowed
  • Details: It costs $25 to park at the reserve, but you can pick up a state adventure pass from any local library and then park for free.

Claire Trageser has been writing for San Diego Magazine for 10 years. She also is a reporter at KPBS and writes for The New York Times, National Geographic, Marie Claire, Elle and Runner's World.

Studio S JUNE 12, 2026

Nominations Open for the San Diego Business Impact Awards

The annual event honors middle market companies creating jobs, scaling up, and investing in the region

Nominations Open for the San Diego Business Impact Awards
Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

San Diego is known for its startup culture and innovation economy, but what happens when the company moves beyond its early-stage years? The San Diego Business Impact Awards aim to answer that question, spotlighting the middle market businesses helping drive the region’s economy.

Hosted by San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and JPMorganChase, the second annual awards celebration takes place on Thursday, July 23, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Scripps Research Auditorium. More than 200 executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders are expected to attend the networking and cocktail event honoring some of San Diego County’s fastest-growing companies.

Businesses headquartered in San Diego County that have operated for at least two years are encouraged to submit their nomination by Thursday, June 18 at 4 p.m. Companies across industries—from technology and life sciences to tourism and consumer products, as well as pre-revenue startups—are eligible for recognition.

For EDC President and CEO Mark Cafferty, the event is as much about building connections as celebrating success. “We’ve had a longtime partnership with JPMorganChase; their work aligns with our efforts to support underserved communities and drive talent development,” says Cafferty. “And the networking was invaluable last year. I’m still in touch with people I met at last year’s awards.”

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

EDC is an independently-funded nonprofit that works directly with San Diego companies to help them grow the local economy, make the region as a whole more competitive, and attract and retain top-tier talent with quality jobs. Through EDC, companies can get help starting or expanding their business with support for things like site selection, permit navigation, and regulatory guidance, plus connections to local resources and potential business collaborators.

The San Diego Business Impact Awards began as an idea with one of EDC’s longtime strategic partners, JPMorganChase. The two organizations share a commitment to San Diego and are dedicated to bolstering middle market businesses.

“We’re blessed with a robust innovation economy and startup community,” says Aaron Ryan, San Diego Region Manager for JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank and vice chair of the firm’s’ San Diego Market Leadership Team. “But one of the segments of the business community we felt was overlooked was emerging middle market companies—the businesses that are no longer small but not yet large.”

Ryan says supporting those companies is critical as they scale and decide where to invest, hire, and grow.

San Diego’s high cost of living remains one of the region’s biggest business challenges, making talent recruitment and retention increasingly competitive. But local leaders point to the region’s quality of life, climate, and collaborative business community as advantages that continue to attract employers and workers.

Photo Credit: Kimberly Motos

“In order to support thriving households, there has to be enough high-quality jobs for people to be able to afford to live here,” Cafferty says. “Once a company grows and excels past that middle market point in their growth cycle, they become much more likely to pay higher wages and compete globally.”

Both Cafferty and Ryan proudly tout the unique collaboration that exists among San Diego County businesses. Bringing together top universities producing high-quality talent, cutting-edge research institutions, a robust military and defense presence, leading ocean science and environmental organizations, and a binational, cross-border identity creates a distinct business ecosystem that defines and strengthens the San Diego region. 

Last year’s San Diego Business Impact Awards celebrated nearly 60 honorees from 49 industries, representing a total of 8,232 jobs across eight sectors, including: software and technology, healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, professional services, finance, construction and manufacturing, defense, and hospitality and tourism. On average, honoree companies doubled their revenues over the previous year, employed more than 145 San Diegans each, and offered an average annual compensation of $192,415.

Top honorees included defense contractor Innoflight, environmental consulting firm Bancroft Construction Services, life sciences startup Element Biosciences, defense technology contractor GALT Aerospace, organic grocery store chain Jimbo’s, and biopharmaceutical company LENZ Therapeutics. During the event, Innoflight Founder and CEO Jeff Janicik held a fireside chat offering his insights on investing in the community and embracing San Diego culture.

This year, organizers hope to continue highlighting the middle market players driving economic impact across the region. Nominations are now open through June 18 at 4 p.m. Get your tickets to the San Diego Business Impact Awards celebration to enjoy drinks by Snake Oil Cocktail Co., light bites, live music, and networking.

Everything SD JANUARY 8, 2025

Our Favorite Hiking Gear for 2025

If your new year's resolution includes getting outdoors more, these backpacks, trail shoes, and GPS watches will make your hikes much more enjoyable

Our Favorite Hiking Gear for 2025
Courtesy of Osprey Packs

It’s the new year, and if the path up Cowles Mountain is any indication, people are eager to get out there and get hiking. Plus, it’s a beautiful way to take advantage of the San Diego region, get free exercise and spend time outside. I already do plenty of hiking, so this year I’m adding a family camping trip to my goals for the year (my husband and son go plenty but I haven’t gone with them yet). 

San Diego's seven bridge hike featuring Balboa Park's Cabrillo Bridge, a popular tourist attraction

It’s not required to get new gear to embark on a goal of hiking or camping or spending more time outside this year, but it can make getting out there easier and more fun. And there are some really cool new pieces of gear to try. Here are a few of my favorites.

Hiking and running gear to buy featuring the Osprey’s Tempest Velocity 20 women's backpack
Courtesy of Osprey

Hiking Backpacks

I kept getting neck and shoulder pain from hiking with a normal backpack, so I switched to a daypack that has more support. I really like Osprey’s Tempest Velocity 20 for women, which has a running-vest-inspired harness, plus a hip belt for more support. And tons of pockets for your phone, water, snacks to bribe your kids with, and a pole-holder and emergency whistle. For kids, the Osprey Daylite Jr. is the perfect size to get your kids used to carrying a pack.

Hiking and running gear to buy featuring the Garmin’s Instinct 3 smart trail watch
Courtesy of Garmin

Hiking GPS Watches

There are a lot of fancy watches out there, and most recreational runners and hikers don’t need the top of the line models. Something with a simple GPS feature has been my go-to. I use a Garmin watch that allows me to create a hiking course on their website, and then I send the course to my watch so I can stay on the trail as I hike. It also counts steps, tracks sleep, and all the other health metrics. But if you want the newest model, Garmin’s Instinct 3 is great for rugged wear, including hiking and camping. It has a metal-reinforced bezel and scratch-resistant display, a built-in flashlight, including variable intensities and an alternate red light, and 18 days of battery life.

Hiking and running gear to buy featuring the Rumpl Backcountry Puffy blanket
Courtesy of Rumpl

Hiking & Camping Blankets

If you’re thinking about backpacking and don’t want the extra weight of a sleeping bag, or if you’re car camping and want to be extra cozy, there are some great new camping blankets on the market that make a big difference. Rumpl recently released the Backcountry Puffy, an upgraded version of the Down Puffy. It has an inner liner for weather-resistance on the inside, a poly shell on the outside to resist stains, and upgraded insulation. It packs down to a tube that’s 5.9 x 14.2 in for one person and less than two pounds. The company also sells even smaller travel blankets–I have one stashed in my car for emergencies.

Hiking and running gear to buy featuring the Salomon Ultra Glide 2 trail running shoes
Courtesy of Amazon

Hiking Shoes and Socks

For day hiking, I really prefer trail shoes that are lighter and more versatile. I’m in love with my Salomon Ultra Glide 2 trail running shoes, which are easy to cinch up and provide the right amount of support. I also always wear SmartWool crew socks, though ankle socks are also great. And my son hikes in Speedcross Trail-Running Shoes.

Hiking and running gear to buy featuring the SmartWool’s women's active long sleeve top
Courtesy of Amazon

Hiking Attire

I usually just hike in running shorts or maybe hiking shorts if I want a little extra coverage. But when it’s on the slightly cold side on a San Diego morning, having something slightly warm is very helpful. I really like SmartWool’s women’s active long sleeve, which is a wool blend outer layer that’s warm but breathable. The company also just released the Women’s Smartloft vest, which has a little extra warmth but not the sweat-inducing insulation of a full puffy vest.

Weego N70 outdoors jump starter
Courtesy of Amazon

Outdoors Jump Starter

I recently also found out about the company Weego, which sells travel jump starters. I didn’t know I needed one of these, but now that I know, it’s hard to imagine not having it. The Weego N70 is great for hiking–basically, you charge it and then can store it in your car or hiking pack for a year. It’s small and lightweight, so you can carry it with you or leave it in the car for car camping, and it can jump start large gas and smaller diesel engines. You can also use it to charge your devices and it has a 400-lumen LED flashlight.

Claire Trageser has been writing for San Diego Magazine for 10 years. She also is a reporter at KPBS and writes for The New York Times, National Geographic, Marie Claire, Elle and Runner's World.

Everything SD OCTOBER 4, 2024

7 Underrated Sunset Spots in San Diego

Ditch the usual, tourist-heavy locales for these picturesque destinations across the city

7 Underrated Sunset Spots in San Diego
Photo Credit: Cole Novak

Everyone knows the classic sunset spots in San Diego like La Jolla Cove and Sunset Cliffs, the tourist traps we both love and hate. But what about the hidden gems, the quiet corners where you can actually enjoy the view without a camera crew? Here are seven underrated spots that are not necessarily undiscovered, but where it feels like the sun sets just for you. 

Best sunset spots in San Diego featuring Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla
Photo Credit: Cole Novak

Torrey Pines Glider Point 

La Jolla

I’ll be honest, this spot isn’t exactly a secret—but it’s absolutely worth the semi-crowded parking. With Scripps Pier and La Jolla Cove as your stunning backdrop and gliders literally swooping right over you, it makes for a thrilling sunset. Everyone picks their favorite spot to take in the view, but if you’re looking for a little more solitude, just wander further out right. If you’re feeling unusually social, stick closer to the glider launch area where, if you’re lucky, you might catch a small DJ set as the sun dips. 

2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr, La Jolla

La Jolla Hermosa Park

La Jolla

Are locals gatekeeping this park? Maybe, but you can see why. Hermosa Park is a small spot with just a picnic table and a few benches, but that’s what makes the sunsets here feel personal. It’s a great alternative to Windansea Beach since it’s so close (if you do go to Windansea, hit up the far left corner at Neptune and Palomar). Plus, you might actually get to hear the waves and birds instead of just the crowd. 

5780 Chelsea Ave, La Jolla

Palisades Park

Pacific Beach

Right off Law Street in Pacific Beach, you’ll find a grass area dedicated to sunset yoga and picnic enthusiasts. Bring a blanket, relax, and take in the popular view of the Pacific Beach pier and surfers without it being shoulder to shoulder. Whether you’re practicing yoga poses, finally diving into that book on your nightstand, or sipping a glass of rosé, this spot welcomes your most laid-back self.

4960 Ocean Blvd, San Diego

Mt. Helix 

La Mesa

With a 360-degree view of San Diego, it’s a guaranteed sunset lover’s dream. Drive to the top, blast your favorite sunset playlist, and take in the sparkling city lights. Mt. Helix exudes reflection and renewal, and there are even candlelight symphony concerts with a string quartet. It’s peaceful, and isn’t that what a sunset is all about?

4901 Mt Helix Dr, La Mesa

Best sunset spots in San Diego featuring Garbage Beach at Sunset Cliffs

Garbage Beach 

Sunset Cliffs

I know, just hear me out. I won’t deny that Sunset Cliffs has some of the most stunning sunsets in San Diego, but those cliffs can get jam-packed. Did you know Sunset Cliffs has its own beach? Right beneath those towering cliffs lies Garbage Beach. Despite the name, this beach offers the same breathtaking views as the cliffs, but with less than half the crowd. While the trek down can be steep, the best time to visit is at low tide when the tide pools are out. This spot is for all you mountain climbers, surfers, and swimmers.

705 Cornish Dr, San Diego (small parking lot near the corner of Ladera Street and Cornish Drive, with a stairwell going down to the shore)

Calumet Park 

La Jolla

Fuzzy dogs and small families with bubbles might just be the best part of a Calumet Park sunset. This cozy neighborhood gem in Bird Rock features a dirt trail at the north end that leads down for some low-tide exploring. And, just when you think it can’t get any better, you realize how close you are to the charming downtown area of Bird Rock, where you can pick up pizza and stroll along the mini stretch of La Jolla Boulevard that feels like a town straight out of a book.

 5424 Calumet Rd, La Jolla

Best sunset spots in San Diego featuring Harborview Park in Coronado
Courtesy of City of Coronado

Harborview Park

Coronado

Need a break from the busyness at Hotel Del Coronado or Bayview Park? Harborview Park in Coronado is the spot to unwind. It’s a pocket with great views of the bay, the towering downtown skyline, and the waterfront. What more could you ask for? And, if you’re into photography (or just need a new profile picture), this is the perfect backdrop, complete with boats sailing under the Coronado Bridge against a pink and orange sky.

1st Street and East Avenue, Coronado

Isabella Dallas is a freelance writer for San Diego Magazine and the Arts and Culture Editor at The Daily Aztec in her final year at San Diego State University. She previously worked as an editorial intern for SDM, but when she’s not writing, you can find her trying the best coffee spots in SD, devouring the latest rom-coms, and indulging in anything and everything pop culture.

Partner Content JUNE 10, 2026

New Options for GLP-1 Users

Scripps study shows that some patients may be able to taper their dose and maintain results

New Options for GLP-1 Users
Courtesy of Scripps Health

While glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agents have been used to treat Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years, their recent emergence as weight-loss wonder drugs marked a new frontier in medicine. But their effectiveness has left some patients wondering what to do once they’ve reached their goal. Stopping the medication could mean regaining some, if not all, of the weight. A Scripps Clinic internal medicine physician recently conducted a small study of whether GLP-1 patients who had reached their goal weight could maintain that weight by taking their regularly prescribed injection every other week instead of weekly. Spoiler alert: 30 of 34 patients did. Read more about the study here and what that may mean as pharmaceutical companies roll out oral GLP-1s.

For more nutrition, wellness, and healthy living tips, sign up for the San Diego Health newsletter here.

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