50 Best Short Hikes: San Diego

With trail distances from 1 to 8 miles, 50 Best Short Hikes: San Diego showcases the best day hikes within 30 miles of San Diego, perfect for an hour, a morning, or an afternoon.

Discover the Best Hikes in Southern California’s Showpiece City

Beaches, urban settings, nature preserves, and mountain peaks beckon locals and visitors alike. Join longtime residents Don Endicott and the late Jerry Schad in one of America’s most stunning metro environments. Enjoy sidewalk strolls in historic neighborhoods. Hike to wildflowers, waterfalls, and panoramic vistas that are sure to keep your camera clicking. Whether you have an hour or all day, 50 Best Short Hikes: San Diego serves up diverse routes within 30 miles of San Diego’s central core.

Experience 50 easy-to-find, easy-to-follow trails, from 1 to 8 miles in length. Explore beautiful locales like Del Mar Crest and Beach, Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, Rice Canyon, La Jolla’s Coastline, and Hollenbeck Preserve. The book’s at-a-glance hike descriptions and complete route details ensure that you know what to expect before you begin. Plus, you’ll know where you are and where to go with overview maps for 5 urban regions, 50 trail maps, and even GPS coordinates for each trailhead.