8 PET FRIENDLY HIKES IN AND NEAR SAN DIEGO
Heading to the San Diego area with your fur baby? Don’t miss a few of these highly rated and beautiful pet friendly hikes while you’re there! I’ve compiled a variety of hikes to fit every landscape preference and fitness level. I will start with the easy hikes and progres on to the hard ones. I have 3 easy trails, 3 moderate trails & 2 hard trails lined up for you. ENJOY!!!
Sunset Cliffs Park Trail
This is an easy out and back trail located in San Diego with plenty of bird watching, lovely ocean views and even a palm tree swing. Take note that there is no shade.
Distance: 0.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 95 feet
Pets: Yes, on leash
Point Loma Tide Pools & Coastal Trail
This is an easy out and back trail located in Cabrillo National Monument with beautiful ocean views and rocky tidepools. The best time to visit these tidepools is during the fall and winter months. Be sure to visit during low tide and wear appropriate shoes.
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 114 feet
Pets: Yes, on leash
Playas de Tijuana
This is an easy out and back trail located in Tijuana, Baja California for those of you who want to venture past the border. This hikes takes you along the beach, where you can find a variety of restaurants along the way to eat and relax.
Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 183 feet
Pets: Yes, allowed
Black’s Beach Trail
This is a moderate out and back trail located in La Jolla. Please note that this is beach well known for being a nude beach and dogs are NOT allowed on the beach between the hours of 9am-6pm from April thru October and between the hours of 9am-4pm from November thru March.
Distance: 1.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 328 feet
Pets: Yes, on leash
Three Sisters Falls via Cha’Chaany Hamuk trailhead
This is a moderate out and back trail located in Cleveland National Forest. Known for fun and challenging rock scrambling, beautiful wildflowers, wildlife and 3 waterfalls. This is definitely one for the adventure lovers. Please note that this area sometimes closes in the summer due to extreme temperatures.
Distance: 4.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 984 feet
Pets: Yes, on leash
Grasslands Loop Trail
This moderately challenging Loop trail is well known for its beautiful scenery, streams and even a waterfall during certain times of the year. Be sure to bring sunblock because most of the area is unshaded. There are picnic tables at the start of this trail head if you are interested in starting your hike with a picnic to avoid bringing food and snacks, to make your pack lighter.
Distance: 4.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 416 feet
Pets: Yes, on leash
Cedar Creek Falls Trail (Permit Required)
This is a challenging backcountry trail, located in Cleveland National Forest. This HIke is NOT recommended during most summer months or for people with health conditions due to its extreme nature and difficulty level. If you are up for this hike, bring plenty of water (for yourself and your fur baby) and enjoy the views, wildflowers, sounds of the river and an 80 foot waterfall with a pool at its base. Remember that you do need a permit to enter the falls area and only 75 permits are issued per day (each permit is good for 5 people) and must be purchased beforehand. Permits are not sold on site and do tend to sell out.
Distance: 5.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 1069 feet
Pets: Yes, on leash
Cuyamaca Peak from Paso Picacho Campground
Another hard hike, this one is located in Cuayamaca Rancho State Park. The starting altitude for this hike is already at 3,700 feet so be sure your lungs are prepared for a little elevation. The last 900 feet are also trail less with a lot of thick brush. There is no water available along the trail so make sure you bring plenty for yourself and your pet(s). If you’re up for this challenging hike, you will enjoy seasonal wildflowers, absolutely epic views and occasional wildlife sightings.
Distance: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1630 feet
Pets: Yes, on leash
Whichever trail you choose, always remember to follow the “leave no trace” principles to keep trails clean, healthy and open for us to enjoy
Do you have any favorite hikes in or near San Diego that didn’t make this list? Feel free to share them with us in the comments! Maybe you’ve done one or some of these hikes and you want to share additional tips with us. :)