Hidden Gems

Daley Ranch

Daley Ranch has over 20 miles of trails for hiking, equestrian use, as well as mountain biking. There are six distinct trails on the property with opportunities for beginning, intermediate, and advanced hikers. The most popular is the Boulder Loop Trail which is about 2.4 miles. It offers outstanding views of Escondido. The Ranch House Loop, which passes two small ponds and the site of Daley’s original log cabin covers about 2.5 miles.

Discovery Lake / Lakeview Park

An easy, 0.8 mile loop trail located around Discovery Lake in San Marcos, California is good for all skill levels. The mainly flat, paved trail is good for walking, biking, and jogging. It is part of the 72 mile network of interconnected trails within the San Marcos City limits.

Double Peak Park

The City of San Marcos has a network of hiking, walking, and biking trails. One of the most popular routes in the area is this hike up to Double Peak Park. The reward up the moderate hike is an inspiring panoramic view. One of the entrances to the peak is from Discovery Lake.

Kit Carson Park

Kit Carson Park is a regional park maintained by the City of Escondido. 185 acres of the 285 acre park acres have been preserved as a natural habitat. The natural area also includes a network of official trails for exercise-walkers, runners, and bicyclists. It can be busy on weekends. The trails are mostly easy. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Lake Hodges

A popular hiking area in Escondido is the north side of Lake Hodges on the southernmost part of the city. There are more than 65 miles of trails for hikers of every level. The trails are open year-round. The Lake Hodges trails are part of the Coast to Crest Trail, which extends from the ocean at Del Mar to the San Dieguito River’s source on Volcan Mountain near Julian. The hillsides around the lake are dominated by coastal sage scrub. Lake Hodges has been designated a globally Important Bird Area. It is home to the endangered California gnatcatcher.

Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park

This picturesque local treasure is 27 acres and can be walked by most anyone. It is located in the City of Carlsbad (about 10 miles from Escondido, CA). The Ranch belonged to a Hollywood movie actor and was donated to the city after his death. It is surrounded by urban development on all sides but you won't see or feel the city on your adventure.

One of many historical buildings in the area, the Leo Carrillo Ranch is a great place to walk. There are plenty of paths and buildings to explore and of course the noisy peacocks are roaming and squawking as they please. The difficultly level is "easy" to "medium." Some inclines but they can be skipped.

Palomar Mountain State Park

Palomar Mountain State Park in northern San Diego County is situated on the west side of Palomar Mountain. The 1,862 acre State Park is dotted with large pine, fir, and cedar trees. Hiking, camping, picnicking, and trout fishing in Doane Pond are features of the park. Elevation averages 5,000 feet above sea level. The views are spectacular. The Doane Valley Nature Trail is easy, with a few challenging spots.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

While most of the places shown in this story are free to access, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park requires membership or a one-day pass to enter. It is listed here because of the uniqueness of this area. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is part of the world-famous San Diego Zoo. It is dedicated to the survival of endangered animal and plant species. The park is the perfect venue for walking with nature all around you. If you ever come to Southern California, you should make this place a priority to see on your visit.

There are many walking trails throughout the park. Even with this place being a very popular tourist attraction, there are many paths through the park that are not very crowded. This makes you feel as if you are on safari.