Solana Beach, California

Looking for the best hiking in Solana Beach? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Solana Beach. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Solana Beach

  • San Diego, California

    Cabrillo Sea Cave (CLOSED)

    3.4
    From the park entrance, follow the park road down to the tide pools parking area. From the parking area, follow the trail down to the cliffs, and head north. If it is high tide, this route will be inaccessible, so be sure that you are visiting this area at low tide. Follow the cliff as it wraps a...
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  • San Diego, California

    Explore Cabrillo National Monument

    4.8
    Cabrillo National Monument is named after Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European explorer to reach America's Wet Coast. There are many knowledgable rangers in the park who are eager to share interesting historical facts.  Activities in the park include hiking: the Bayside Trail offers 2 mile...
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  • San Diego, California

    Bayside Trail

    4.5
    1.99 mi / 397 ft gain
    The Bayside Trail features beautiful spring wild flowers and is accessible year-round. The trail is wide with a few rest stops and benches along the way. The trail is breezy, much cooler than many trails inland, featuring ocean views throughout the duration.  This monument commemorates the landi...
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  • Lakeside, California

    Hike the Oakoasis Open Space Preserve

    2.5 mi / 300 ft gain
    Starting at the trail-head, head down towards the oak-lined ravine marking the beginning of the hike. With trees already growing back from the 2003 fire, these sections of the trail are nice and shady, and quite relaxing. About 1 mile in you will start to see the San Vicente Reservoir to your lef...
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  • Lakeside, California

    El Cajon Mountain

    4.6
    11.07 mi / 3337 ft gain
    This challenging trek is a great way to get in shape for that spring or summer trip to the Sierras. You may have heard others tell you how tough the hike is and they're not kidding. You'll be gaining 4100 feet over the 12 miles to the peak and back. If you have the time and the energy, you should...
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  • Fallbrook, California

    Los Jilgueros Preserve Trail

    4.0
    1.25 mi / 72 ft gain
    Los Jilgueros Preserve Trail is a loop trail that is good for all skill levels located near Fallbrook, California.
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  • Fallbrook, California

    Monserate Mountain Loop

    5.0
    4.16 mi / 1247 ft gain
    The Monserate Mountain trail is a 4.2 mile loop hike that takes you through a [stand out feature of the adventure] near Fallbrook, California. This hike can be challenging given the elevation gain, so make sure you pack plenty of water especially on warmer days. 
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  • Chula Vista, California

    Mother Miguel Mountain

    5.0
    4.1 mi / 919 ft gain
    At the summit, your work will be rewarded with stunning views from downtown San Diego all the way to Mexico. You can also see the surrounding mountain peaks and the Sweetwater Reservoir.  This is a great hike to do at sunset - but bring a headlamp / flashlight for the hike back down. This trail ...
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  • Fallbrook, California

    Hike the Santa Margarita River Trail

    5.0
    5 mi / 469 ft gain
    Santa Margarita River Trail is a 5 mile out-and-back hike that takes you near the river in Fallbrook, CA. This trail provides some shade which is helpful on hot days. If you bring your swimsuit you can hop in for a dip on hotter days.  Make sure you wear good hiking shoes due to some rocky terrai...
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  • Ramona, California

    Explore the Sutherland Dam

    2.0
    1 mi
    Once your on Sutherland Dam Rd, follow it until your right next to the dam. Park on the side of the road where you see a small turn-out. Walk down to the side of the dam and drop down onto the concrete flooring of the dam. Walk on-top where allowed, and check out the views of the lake and the mo...
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  • Jamul, California

    Hike Mt. McGinty

    4.8 mi / 1263 ft gain
    Balancing a good workout, gorgeous views, and minimal time commitment, these 4.8-mile steep trail is definitely a San Diego point of interest, and despite its proximity to the city of San Diego, it remains a low trafficked hike. The Hike: Right away the trail weaves you through beautiful vegetati...
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  • Ramona, California

    Cedar Creek Falls

    4.8
    5.52 mi / 1024 ft gain
    The trail to Cedar Falls starts out at a hill in a residential area and ends in an unexpected spot where there is a beautiful waterfall complete with a swimming hole. Surrounded by 75-foot-high cliffs, a magnificent waterfall splashes into a pool known as the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Hikers have been ...
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  • San Diego County, California

    Bluffs Trail Loop

    5.0
    2.63 mi / 95 ft gain
    Discover the natural beauty of Southern California on the San Onofre Bluffs Trail Loop, a scenic hike located within San Onofre State Beach. This trail offers hikers breathtaking views of sandstone cliffs, access to secluded beaches, and opportunities to observe diverse coastal wildlife. Hours ...
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  • Pauma Valley, California

    Boucher Trail and Palomar Mountain Loop

    5.0
    estled within Palomar Mountain State Park in Pauma Valley, California, the Boucher Trail and Palomar Mountain Loop offers hikers a challenging yet rewarding experience. This 9-mile loop trail is renowned for its lush forests, panoramic vistas, and the historic Boucher Hill Fire Lookout. On aver...
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  • San Diego, California

    Hike to the beach at Border Field State Park

    2 mi / 26 ft gain
    The beach at Border Field State Park is southernmost beach in California. This beach begins (on US Maps) at the Mexican border and continues north to the mouth of the Tijuana River. The State Park shares its land with the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve which are both operated b...
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  • Palomar Mountain, California

    Lower Doane and French Valley

    5.0
    3.03 mi / 344 ft gain
    When it comes to Palomar Mountain State Park, most people stick to Doane Lake and Upper Doane Valley. Yet on the far right of the parking lot at Doane Pond, there is actually a trailhead that will guide you to a completely different section of the park. The Lower Doane Valley trail is, in my opti...
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