Los Penasquitos Canyon County Preserve

Great walk along a creek with many access points to vary your distance. 6.5mi. RT from the park if you turn back at the falls. Took me about 2:15. There are other access points (see Maps) that make your distance to the falls more like 1-1.5 mi. There are two trails that run parallel, a wide mostly flat access road-type trail, and a more winding, shaded trail that runs next to the creek. The creek trail can involve numerous water crossings that are not much to speak of unless there has been rain recently. If the creek is running high you will either need wading shoes or end up doubling back several times. This hike is somewhat unique in Southern California as there are very few waterways (period) with this much preserved land surrounding. The waterfall is currently quite high as of 2/13/24 and lovely to see. Again, a unique spot given the ecosystem and easy accessibility. Parking does not cost if you park in the dirt lot near the baseball fields. Pets are welcome on a leash.

The hike is quite moderate, spanning approximately 6.5 miles for the round trip, taking around 3-3.5 hours. The endpoint waterfall is decent, not extraordinary. It's more of a workout than a destination for stunning views. Note that parking costs $3, so bring cash as they don't accept digital payments. Ensure you have change since you place the cash in an envelope, and without change, you might overpay. Dogs are allowed, and our dog enjoyed the hike.

Too popular, too crowded. You can, however, get away from the FB/TikTok/Instagram people and enjoy the preserve much more if you're willing to explore the trails less traveled...

This was a fun little walk. I was slightly disappointed at the "Waterfalls " but is was still a great hike and not a very difficult one. Good for all ages just remember to bring plenty of water especially in the heat..

Easy walking trail leading to waterfall. Mostly flat but very long. Took us 1 hour and 30 minutes to get from start of trail to waterfall. Dogs enjoyed the walk and the small creek. Overall great experience!

Nice walk but I wish the markers are more clear & a better board map is provided at the entrance. We’ve hike The Great Smokies a few times and the trail markers there served its purpose. Guessed which way to go to since it’s our first time.

This park is really cool. The trails are very diverse and in the winter there is a lot of water. This is a great spot to run, hike, bike, or take the dog for a walk. This place is also has a lot of geocaches that are not terrible difficult to find. There is public restrooms and water fountains available but only in the parking lot, bring a water bottle because it does get hot here. Parking was $3 at the time I wrote this but it is well worth it. This it truly one of the gems of San Diego County.

What a wonderful time hiking this trail from the ranch house to the waterfall. In San Diego, you do not have to go far. It was a simple drive to get here and feel far away from the city. No car noise to be heard. We took the dog and she even enjoyed a little bath in the stream. If you are not into hiking you can take your bike for an easy ride. It's pretty much all flat.

Loved this hike! My friend and I were staying in Del Mar. It was about an 1/2 hour drive to Peñasquitos Falls Loop via Carmel Valley trial head located in a residential neighborhood (no fee to pay). We did the hike on a weekday in March about 10:30 or so. Perfect for weather and perfect for not being crowded. The loop is about 2.8 miles, a steep walk down into the Valley through the little waterfall, then back up the Canyon. The loop trail was a moderate hike with a defined trail to follow, it was scenic and fairly short to walk. It took us about 1 hour and 45 min with stopping for photo opts. I would definitely recommend this loop hike keeping in mind, there is no shade, so if it is hot out wear hat and sunscreen. A good pair of hiking shoes will come in handy going down the round rocks on the trail in and out of the canyon. I found the rocks to be slippery and not stable. In addition crossing over the falls you may get wet.

Nice canyon hiking with multiple trails and easy parking. We started from Elizabeth Rabbitt Park and hiked first to the Duck Pond which was a short ~3/4 mile trek. We saw coots in the pond. After another half mile or so you get to the waterfall which has several pathways and viewpoints. Great birdwatching at this spot. We enjoyed seeing yellow-rumped warblers catching flies by the water. We also walked along a ridge trail near the power lines to get a good view of the full area. There are lots of mountain bikers on this trail so be on the lookout if you are hiking.

Came with my dog and we had a nice time here. We hiked a semi flat trail to the waterfalls. The waterfalls were a bit disappointing and depending on which side you approach it, you either get the higher view or you get to go down into the water. Didn't see too many people when I went on a Thursday morning around 9am. Spent 3 hours here with a round trip to the waterfall and a few stops to take photos and a few water break stops. There were a few mountain bikers on the trail and some horse poop. There are a few areas with poison oak. 4 stars if you're looking for an easy hike with a ton of open space to just have time to yourself and breathe in some fresh air.

This is a gorgeous easy hike that is almost 7 mi long. You cross through a canopy of trees, wildflower fields. You walk alongside a creek and then arrive at a waterfall against which you can hear the background freeway noise. This place really is an oasis in the city, and I recommend that everyone hike it at least once. Waterfall: We hike in the mornings, so have not had a chance (or really a desire) to enter the water. That being said, when we got to the waterfall around 945AM, it was crowded enough that it was impossible to get some photos of JUST ourselves at the waterfall. But there weren't that many people so we had plenty of time to take selfies and nature views without getting in anyone else's way. Parking: Please bring $3 cash for parking if you are going to park in the lot

Such an amazing area to explore and right in our backyard! Lots of great hiking options, beautiful views, nice shady spots and cool nature to explore.

This is by far still my favorite trail. My soul sister and I came the day after it rained. Lucked out, not too muddy and lots of water at the waterfall. So therapeutic. Love listening to the sound of rushing water running through the creek to join at the waterfall then flowing down to the creek below. Can never get enough of it. Special treat: my friend, Crawdad, came out to greet me us. What a special way to end our hike. Happy trekking guys!

Entrance fee is $3 dollars bring the exact amount because no one is in there you have to put the money in an envelope. The chemical toilets are DISGUSTING!

Accessibility: the trail is all flat ground, on dirt, but it is very long. To get to the waterfall you would either have to go down and back up stairs (without a handrail) or climb rocks down (on the other side). Experience: I had a fun time on this trail when I could walk because it was flat, but it is definitely long so bring water, sunblock and a sun hat, as well as good walking shoes. Some parts of the trail are sunny and some are shaded by trees. The waterfall is smaller but it's really beautiful. At the bottom of the waterfall there is a pool of water with live crayfish (crawdads) in it. Tip: it can be easy to get lost as the trail does break off sometimes onto smaller side trails, so go early in the day otherwise you might get stuck out there at nighttime (dangerous). Tip: I came across a pack of coyotes at sunset time so be safe...I very quietly hid and waited for the pack to pass before I finished hiking.

The one thing I wish I knew before visiting this trail: there are ticks! There is a lot of signage at the start of the trail alerting hikers of ticks and rattlesnakes. Some of the signage details symptoms to watch out for after visiting the trail that would be indicative of illnesses associated with tick bites so this really made me a bit nervous for the hike since I was not prepared and had exposed skin. I suggest wearing pants and socks that cover your ankles and wear bug repellant if possible because on several parts of the trail, the path is extremely narrow and the grass may brush your ankles (I could actually see ticks on the grass). Aside from that, this is a great trail for anyone looking for a fairly easy-intermediate hike! We visited on a Saturday and it was fairly empty, the waterfall loop tends to get busier since it's more popular. We entered the trail through the West entrance and took the Lopez Canyon path. The trail goes slightly uphill and connects with another trail entrance. In total, the trail to the top and back down is about 4 miles.

This is one of my family's favorite parks in San Diego to hike at. There are many ways to enter this park as it stretches virtually to Cleveland National Forest, the entrance off Black Mountain Road and Canyonside Park Driveway is by far the easiest, most shaded, way to enter the park. Everyone is welcome here: hikers, runners, dogs on leashes, bikers (to include class 1 & 2 electric vehicles), and horses. Main trails are wide enough for the Rangers to drive on, smaller trails break off to venture along the creek. There is a waterfall about 3 miles in from the Canyonside entrance. Little ones will love playing in the creek. The shade and breezes that come through are really refreshing. The Park Rangers do an incredible job repairing trails, planting new trees, and keeping the amenities up (trash cans, restrooms, benches, etc). This trail system has something for all age groups and is one of the best hikes in San Diego.

This was a really nice hike! We did the loop to see the waterfall. Don't expect something grand, we're in the desert. It was still very scenic and fun! It's beginner friendly and mostly flat-ish, but there are a few steeper parts. You also have to keep an ear out for trail bikers and be ready to move out of their way quickly if needed. I might return to do it again if I'm looking for something easy and fun. I think there are more scenic hikes in SD- but this still is a good one to check off your list.

Like everyone said, this is an easy and nice hike. The only thing is that there is not much shade along the trail. It would get very hot during the summer. It's best to hike either early in the morning or late afternoon. Please bring plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Most people hike to the waterfall which would take 6 miles around trip. At the end of the trail, a very nice stream/waterfall awaits you. Many people play in the water but I feel it's a bit treacherous as the rocks are very slippery. The trail is a multipurpose trail. Bikes, horse and hikers share the road. So please hike on the side of the road to avoid running into bikers. San Diego has many nice trails for hiking. This is a relatively easy hike and flat. It's perfect to bring the whole family.

Great 6 mile hike for beginners. It's pretty flat and beautiful! Might see horses which a plus! And also a beautiful waterfall. I didn't get too close to the waterfall because it seems a bit rocky but I enjoyed it from a far. Please note that the parking is $3 cash and you have to fill out a paper form. Bring exact change, because there are no attendants or cashiers. Very nice park rangers though!

Pretty boring trail. Saw a snake though which was scary. Plenty of other trails in San Diego that are nicer.

For people used to dense urban environments, this might seem "gorgeous", but compared to a lot of wilder parks, this one is mediocre at best. If one wants to get a flat hike, a run, or mountain bike ride in for a couple of hours, it's okay, and having a year-round stream is a definite plus, but it's just not that beautiful. Unfortunately, there are endless subdivisions overlooking the park, lessening the natural experience. And there is a warren of unmarked trails crisscrossing each other, going in all directions and poorly maintained. The trail map given out at the office is absolutely useless. No way to tell where you are. Virtually no signage on the trails. The city and county obviously spend next to nothing maintaining this park.

This is a special place, a relatively preserved haven that preserves thousands of acres of land, nearly from Interstate 15 all the way to the ocean. It won't make anyone's list of spectacles. There aren't ocean views, and hardly any vistas of any kind. There's no great cactus garden. And during the warmer months, it's a great place to come if you want to experience heat stroke. But it's rugged and beautiful and challenging. I've been coming here over the course of my entire adult life, nearly 30 years, dating back to when you could go from end to end without seeing any evidence of housing on the edges of the overlooking mesas. Those days are long since passed, but that serves as a testimony to those who had the foresight to set aside this land before development could swallow it up or a freeway could be built through here. Penasquitos Creek is a surprisingly robust creek, a great place to see scrub oaks and sycamores. The trail itself will spend your energy, especially on the western side, where the ups and downs are more treacherous than you might expect. Rattlesnakes sunning themselves on the path. Coyotes can be more easily heard than seen. On my most recent visit, I was thrilled to see a whole colony of acorn woodpeckers.

What a awesome hike! Starts off at a good paste of flat ground, but heading towards the waterfall you definitely start bending the knees into lunges lol. Its about 2.5 miles there and back. You get a good work out especially in the heat! Gorgeous views!!

The short & sweet of it is that it's a nice, flat path to walk & explore. About 3 miles in, you'll reach a scenic creek flanked by huge boulders. Follow the signs that say, "waterfall" & you can't miss it! That was definitely the highlight! Plus, your fur baby gets to go wherever you go on this trail. Score! Total distance to the creek waterfall & back was about 6.5 miles. PARKING (CASH ONLY): We parked in the parking lot beside the main parking lot & it cost $3, CASH ONLY. We came yesterday & a parking attendant was at the entrance collecting money for parking. Be aware it's CASH ONLY (yes, even during the pandemic) & there were no contactless payment options available. FYI: Unlike Lake Miramar, there are no portapotties along any part of this trail, so plan accordingly. If you stay on the trail, it is quite flat, but there are a lot of rocks on the path, which makes it quite challenging, if not impossible, to push a stroller/wheelchair. We saw a family struggling to push their baby stroller. It may also be tough on dogs' paws but it is easy to walk around those areas, usually off to the side. I ran part of the trail but I did not enjoy it due to all the rocks and pebbles. Plus, though it rained a few days ago, there was still mud along the trail as well so plan accordingly. I prefer running around Lake Miramar, which is truly flat. I like this trail for walking with my dog. We came on a Sunday afternoon (yesterday) & we passed many families with young children, people with dogs of all sizes, and lots of bikers & runners. It's a busy trail, but everyone still maintained social distancing for the most part on the trail. We wore masks throughout, but not everyone did. The creek is where it gets congested. it was near impossible to cross the creek due to bottleneck & amount of people. We got to the creek around 2/3 pm. I would suggest going in the morning perhaps for a quieter experience. DOG OWNER TIPS: There was a dog waste bag dispenser at the entrance but they were out when I went yesterday. I think I saw a total of 2, maybe 3 trashcans along the entire trail, so FYI, you may be carrying your doggy bag for awhile. My 20 lb Poodle/Chihuahua mix loved this trail & enjoyed every minute of it. There is little to no shade available on this hike. Dogs must be leashed at all times.

Fake Nature. And look, that's not a bad thing, considering how close this spot is to so much Straight-Up-Urban. It is important to maintain these little greenbelts between the expanses of track housing that flank them. Los Penasquitos is no exception. While visitors can easily raise their gaze to the mountaintops above the canyon to see rows of houses above, a more deliberate approach allows visitors to force their own escape for a few brief moments... a small creek runs down the middle of the canyon, adding enough water to the place to support trees and low-lying shrubs. "Los Penasquitos" means "little boulders" more or less... and it aptly describes the place: an ancient riverbed with rounded granite rocks dominate the landscape. A wide trail allows for runners, walkers, equestrians, and the local ranger who will generally tear-by your small children way too fast in a little glorified golf cart like he has somewhere important to be... and then seems to be in an equal hurry to come back from it when he returns the other direction. Stay Classy, (north county) San Diego. But it's not all bad. Parking is three dollars, but the last time we were there there were no more envelopes, so I swear, we stuffed three crumply ones in the pay slot, Your Honor, and then parked. We took a long walk down the path, heading ever-farther from our car. Probably could have taken this path all the way down to the Slough at Del Mar, but somewhere along the line, the kids got bored with the flat walk under military aircraft (presumably taking off from nearby MCAS Miramar), and we turned around to head back the way we came. A few pretty places to force a photo. Also the grave of the OG resident of the valley was a novelty. Short of taking a jog here to get off the paved roads, I'm not in a hurry to get back here. Besides, there are so many wild areas just inland and relatively close by. Neat that this place is here, but if you've made the drive to Potato Chip Rock or any other number of places between here and Escondido, you ain't missing much.

Had some time to kill so why not find a trail for a quick hike. Upon entering, there's a kiosk where you pay for parking. There's pink envelope for the cash and a drop box for the envelope. I don't know how often they check the parking but it's better to be on the honest level. It was 3.00 for parking. There was plenty of parking when we arrived. Mind you it was late Tuesday morning. There was also a potter potty available in the parking lot. The trail itself was nice and wide. Plenty of space for social distancing. 10 min or so into the trail, we could hear water running from somewhere. To the right of the trail was a creek which was a nice little spot for relaxing in the shade. I'm not sure how far along it runs though. We really had not itinerary for how far we were heading too. From the main trail, they also had little trails that would break off to other pathways. From the beginning, we did notice that there was a waterfall somewhere. Didn't get that far to it as it was another 1.8 Miles from where we were and we had to head back to meet some friends. Just from that little hike, it was nice little break. Trail was pretty wide for social distancing. Nice creek along the path. Did notice signs posted of snakes and ticks. Be cautious when wandering through the bushes.

A hidden gem in my neck of the woods. Love this convenient and easy trail hike !!! Free parking at Canyonside Community Park. Parking was plentiful on Monday morning but I hear it gets packed on the weekends. Weekdays is the way to go with less people and I love how open and wide the trails are. There is also parking at the Black Mountain entrance for $3. We went right when they opened at 8am and to beat the heat! It was a 6 mile hike and took almost 2 hours round trip! We ran heading back at certain parts of the trail since it was getting hot. Just watch out for the rocks and gravel. Make sure to wear shoes with thick soles for this. The "waterfall" and stream at the end is worth checking out and taking photos! I got some decent shots and videos. I have yet to see the Ranch House so I'll have to put that on my bucket list for next time. We saw some horseback riders, runners, dogs, and mountain bikers. It's fairly flat throughout the hike so I recommend this for all levels of hikers. Watch out for poison oak ! I spotted a few near the stream. We also came across horse poop throughout the trail so watch your step ! Overall, this hike is excellent for newbies and if you want a flat, easy, leisurely hike. I'd love to return when it gets cooler. Love discovering new hiking spots near me ! Highly recommend !

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve attracts people with its natural beauty and abundant natural resources -- both today and in the past. Native American history within the Preserve dates back as far as 7,000 years ago. Great hiking trails and the waterfalls!

This is a leisure trail that is very very easy. It's mostly flat and the landscape can get boring... but there's a "waterfall" at the end. And by the quotes I mean more of a stream and San Diego drought waterfall. Don't expect what you're thinking of a waterfall. It's fun to soak your feet in and for kids. It gets super packed. Free parking at Canyonside Community Park. We came a little before 7am and managed to get the last parking on a Sunday morning. There's plenty in the park, just got to walk a little. Or you can pay $3ish for Black Mountain Parking. Lots of kids, dogs, mountain bikers and poison oak. Watch out for poison oak!! There's shade if you walk closer to the stream but plenty of poison oak. Check yourself for ticks. And then lastly, watch out for snakes but they're harmless- not rattle snacks. Also if you go to the waterfall then loop around it comes out to about 7 miles.

Lots of open space to have fun. Looks like they try and keep it up which is nice. Walked it twice now.

After months of isolation due to the pandemic we were finally able to go out and enjoy the sun, nature and some fresh air. Unfortunately, a lot of people felt the same way so the trails weren't as empty as we had hoped for. Not everyone was practicing social distancing or wearing a face mask. Come on people, have some decency and respect for others! If you see someone coming your direction just put on your mask until they are a good distance away! Nonetheless, the wife and I were able to enjoy our hike to the waterfall as the trails were fairly flat and easy to walk. We just didn't realize it took 3 miles to get to the waterfall. So it was a 6 mile round trip hike! Once we got to the waterfall, it was definitely overcrowded with an over abundance of rude people not wearing their face masks. Oh well, hopefully karma doesn't come back to bite them in the "butt"!!! Overall, not the most picturesque trails but definitely a nice escape during these difficult times!

I love this park! So many trails and it's not too steep either. I come here to run, hike, or bike and it's never too crowded. the terrain is varied with some rocky gravel sections, some sandy sections, and single track. But it is super beautiful and easy to navigate.

Went out here for the first time with most of my regular hiking crew. Ironically, all of the people who came had never hiked this trail. We did our research, brought plenty of water and had the AllTrails app on our phones for reference so we felt comfortable heading out. There's ample signage, with clearly defined and well-travelled trails. The hike to the waterfall is easy and brief. Crossing the stream without slipping on the smooth rocks or getting wet was a bit of a challenge. As long as you're careful most people can manage it. It felt like we were playing "Oregon Trail" and had to decide if we were going to ford the river--lol! One of my companions decided it was safer for him to just step into the creek to cross rather than precariously play Q-Bert on the slippery rocks. In the end, we managed to cross and all of our party survived unharmed, thankfully. The return loop was much longer than the hike to the waterfall. It was almost monotonous, with made us even more fatigued during the return. Overall, this is a great hike, offering little challenge, other than the 6.8 mile looped distance, which is sufficient for me. the whole crew enjoyed seeing the active creek flowing along the different parts of the trail as we dodged plenty of horse poop. I'd hike this trail again, but I may be "lazy" and just hike to the waterfall and double back to visit the Ranch House on my way back.

Four stars if you adhere to the following tips: 1. You go late fall, winter, or spring. 2. Best experienced after a ton of rain. 3. Start your hike at canyonside community park (free parking and there's also an historic Adobe ranch house you can visit). 4. If you're walking to the waterfall, follow the "walking only" trail that goes along the creek. It's shaded and there are several water features. 5. This can be a loop trail. There are two trailheads from the baseball field parking lot (north and south) just use Google maps and GPS to make sure you're going the right way to the waterfall. Is this family-friendly? At over 7 miles total it might not be if it's the summer season. But if you're an outdoor family this won't be an issue. It's mostly flat...

Hikers, runners, families, dogs, mountain bikers, horses, oh my! You'll find yourself hiking alongside a variety of hikers at Los Peñasquitos. And since the taller four legged kind, horses, make their way on the trail, keep an eye out for their droppings! The trail opens at 8am, but keep in mind that it can start getting a little busy around 10:30am. There's also parking in the adjacent lot for $3. The main trail is relatively flat where you'll choose your way at the fork in the road to either go towards the ranch house or continue on to the waterfall (3 miles one way). Part of the trail is shaded with trees, while other parts are rocky. Our toddler daughter enjoyed picking up the rocks and comparing the different sized ones along the way. There's also a creek that runs along the side in some areas for some added scenery. Since we went a couple days after it had rained (thankfully not heavy rain), some parts were a little muddy, but were definitely manageable. We had a nice leisurely stroll on this trail so it was good for our family hike. Next time we'll make our way out to the ranch house!

Nice hiking , mountain biking ‍, and horse riding park in the middle of San Diego. The park is managed by the City of San Diego and has 147 registered trails for mountain biking ‍ and hiking and 9 identified for horseback riding. I believe many more trails are open to horses but only found 9 listed. The center of the valley has many easy riding trails, a nice year round stream, a small waterfall, and wildlife such as deer , rabbits , skunks , and an occasional bobcat. People love walking their dogs here but watch out for coyotes especially near dawn and dusk.

This is a good trail to walk or run as most of the trail is flat and not much incline or decline. Lots of people here cycle as well but there are alot of rocks and thorns so I would make sure your tires are good. It gets really hot out there. Total we did 8.5 miles round trip

Four stars for my first hike ever! Slowly exploring the outdoors as I've never been hiking before. Went with friends and parked at the Calle Cristobal parking lot for free. Arrived at 5:30pm and finished at 8pm. I don't do well when the sun is out and scorching me, so this was a nice time to go. It seemed pretty easy at first, but then came all the rocky trails, tiles, bridges, branches and everything inbetween! We passed a few bikers and other hikers along the trail, but everyone was respectful and wore masks and walked quickly. Most even said hello during passing. Finally got to the water and got some great pics and videos. Might be a while before I return because I'm not gonna lie... I was feeling it in my left hip, knee and my feet, lol!! Just glad I survived and made it out alive!! The sun started to set so we had to double time it on our way back. Got to the lot and it was completely dark! Watch your head and where you step!! Worth checking out, but go in the daytime if you don't wanna struggle on the way back! Have fun and be safe! :)

First time on this trail even though it's so close my area. A few things about this trail, there a several different little side trails. Some are wide for many of the bikers and for walkers. There are signs for the narrower trails where bikers are not allowed. Also many horses come through here so watch wear your step! It was a nice day to come out upper 70's nice breeze and sunshine felt good to just get out. It was petty crowded around the "waterfall" it's a running stream. Great place to stop and relax, people were in the water. It's rocky if you want to jump across be careful it's slippery with the wet rocks but possible. I would not count this as a hike it's flat along the entire trail. There are some parts of the trail that have a lot of gravel. Wear comfortable shoes. Kid and pet friendly. It's a good walking trail about 6. 5 miles round trip. Not difficult. Overall it was nice workout and a way to get out of the house safely. I would utilize this a good running trail with the flatter terrain and less rocks to twist an ankle with.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve offers nearly 7 miles of hiking trail between I15 and I5 through the Los Peñasquitos Canyon. This is a City of San Diego Park that features various botanical and natural features including a waterfall along the way. It is an,easy walk open year round except during/after heavy rains.

Beautiful hike with a waterfall at the end! I highly recommend this hike as it is mostly flat and very easy. It goes through forests and clearings until you reach a waterfall. The waterfall is not huge and in the summer it is more of a trickle than a waterfall. But if you go in the winter/spring, especially after heavy rain, you will see the falls clearly. There's a large rock that you can climb up to that overlooks the falls which is off a little hidden path, but I don't recommend it unless you are ok with a possible trip to the hospital. Speaking from experience, the rock is a little sketchy and slippery, so don't risk it.

A nice area close by Mira Mesa. A lot of trails that you can walk, bike or horseback ride. There is a small waterfall as well.

A must see spot in North County! Great for family, dogs, hiking, biking, running, walking, and much much more! Pack a picnic lunch, bring lots of water, and make a day of it. You'll be so glad you did!

Not a bad 6.5 mile out and back hike. Maybe I'd call it a nature walk. Mostly just flat all the way from where we parked (free parking) at the Canyonside Community Park and Field 8. Gotta say, I like the tree shades thought it most of the hike to the waterfall (Honestly, I didn't even see a waterfall lol). We stayed mostly on the main south trail south of the creek. The trail north of the creek seem like it had less shade. Not gonna lie, I was pretty antsy because it was mountain lion country, but I'm so glad we didn't encounter any. And, I'd say, if it's your first time there, make sure to bring water and shoes with hard or thick sole because all of that loose gravel we were walking on for so long might've hurt my back a little. Could hurt yours too.

Distance. Distance. Distance. This hike is by no means challenging, but it will help you build some endurance. It is over 6 miles of flat terrain.. if you're just going to the "waterfall." There are also plenty of trails that branch off the main trail if you would like a change of scenery. The trail is very wide which was nice.. never felt like I was stuck behind slow walkers for too long. The shade is intermittent.. so I recommend loading up on the SPF. It is very dog friendly also.. but they must be kept on a leash. Anyways, this supposed waterfall is honestly just a stream. You hop over a few slippery rocks at the end of the trail and you are there. It's very relaxing.. but certainly not a waterfall. Parking is $3 in the park. I'm not familiar with the area so I didn't know an alternative. Do not follow address on yelp.. it will lead you to a residential neighborhood. The correct location is the intersection of mercy road and black mountain road.

This is an easy trail that is 99% flat! You can walk jog or bike to the waterfall which is well worth the effort. The waterfall alone is very rewarding. During the summer this place gets packed and you'd expect to wait to make your way down to the water. Remember to take a hat and sunscreen and water as you'll need it. If you don't like mosquitos - you'll also want to take repellent. It's a great place to get your exercise in and relax. The open space is very calming and the residents in the area are very friendly. If you want the shorter trip you can park by the elementary school at the end of Camino Del Sur and walk about two miles. If you like the distance and prefer the extra miles you can leave from the baseball diamond further up and deeper in PQ. An ideal place to take pictures, you'll see photographers here with subjects. I'll be back soon cause I'm trying to bring sexy back and this is an easy workout to get my heart pumping.

This is a flat hike along what is basically a dry creek bed stretching from Black Mountain Road on the east to Sorrento Valley on the west. The round trip from one end to the other is just under 12 miles. From the east, you start at Canyonside Community Park. The parking closest to the trailhead is right near baseball field #8 so keep that in mind. You can actually take one of two parallel trails westward, one north of the creek bed and one south of the creek bed, towards the "waterfall" which is about a three mile distance. There is quite a bit of shade on certain parts of the trek. You will need to watch out for dung as horse riding is permitted on the trails too. The waterfall is basically an area of boulders where the creek has flowing water that descends maybe 20 feet or so over a 50 yard distance. At this junction, you can cross the creek from the north trail to the south trail or vice versa to head back east to Canyonside Community Park. I have never gone west of the waterfall, but one of these days I will do so or start from the Sorrento Valley side and head eastward. If you like a long hike without elevation, then this may be the trek for you.

WOW! This is great park with lots of trails. The trails are a mix of gravel, dry river beds, sand & pretty flat. The hike to falls is easy. Its a great place to take a break while hiking. We crossed the creek & took a different path back. We did see a bobcat cross the trail in the early evening about 50 feet in front of us. We also came across a rattle snake laying on the trail. Remain cautious of the wild life & watch out for the horse poo. There were a fare amount of people on bikes & hiking but physical distancing was being used.

Great spot for trail running! You could hike but it's a bit boring until you get to the waterfall. This trail is flat and really easy. I've been here a few years ago and don't remember the parking fee. Now you have to pay $3. On a Sunday, we were told they close the parking lot at 5pm.

Los Penasquitos Creek Trail is located about 20 minutes inland from La Jolla. This 6.4 mile trail features waterfalls, river crossings and plenty of overhead shade for those hot San Diego days. We barely saw anyone during the entire hike with the exception of a family who warned us about rattlesnakes. Though, things didn't go exactly as planned halfway through when we reached a bridge crossing completely washed out. We ended up just taking off our shoes and walked right on through. All part of the adventure! In total, the hike takes about 3 hours. Though, full disclosure, we did cut off a portion of the hike after hearing about those rattlesnakes! The family clearly could tell we weren't hardcore hikers. But this was before our river crossing so I think we earned some bragging rights.

PQ came highly recommended for a good mountain bike outing. It did not disappoint. Although I typically bike flatter areas, I'm used to something with a bit more "bite" to it. Welp, I bit off more than I could chew for sure. Although it rolls a lot like an XC trail, there is quite a bit of downhill to go with those climbs, and some rocky terrain and ruts that will definitely surprise you. I opted to make my own ride and went north on the Powerline Trail towards Tunnel #4 (which was a BLAST!), then scooted west on the Deer Creek Trail and came back around on Santa Monica Ridge. Finally the Del Mar Multi-Use trail to the Cobbles Trail (a rad downhill adventure as well) put me back onto the PQ Canyon Preserve. Right as I got back on, I saw a small trail that just asked to be explored. Wouldn't ya know, it was a neat little waterfall (and I do mean "little"). Still a nice place to sit and relax, grab a drink and a snack after 90 minutes of hellacious biking (I'm looking at you Fire Road with your 13% grade). Heading west from the waterfall, it's fairly undulating with some periods of extended climbs (although grades are relatively decent, maybe 5-6%?) and some extended downs - get your speed while you can, though. I definitely got a workout on this trail! The backside of the trail heading east has some nice terrain changes: packed dirt, rocks, gravel, some covered woods, and a nice curved downhill patch. Definitely would bike again. Tips: -- Go early. Most of the PQ oval (the standard Canyon trail) isn't shaded. -- Bring plenty of water ya'll. I went through 3L plus a bottle of goodies. -- Free parking at the park off Park Village Rd.

Suuuper long and flat trail with a small waterfall/pond at the end. This trail isn't too challenging, basically a long walk(approx 6 miles round trip) through a wash. Not much elevation change, and not much exciting scenery aside from a few small groves of trees and a trickling creek in one spot. At the very end there is a small waterfall and some rocks to sit on, but nothing too special or awe inspiring. This is a great trail if you're a mountain biker or on a horse, but just to walk it's pretty disappointing, especially because you have to pay $3 to park. I came and had some good company, but you really better like the person/people you're walking with, otherwise it's a very long monotonous walk on dirt and gravel.

Was a great hike, easy! Waterfall was fun. Make sure you walk by the Ranch house and see the goats they are so cute

Wow, 6.2 miles from the parking lot to the waterfalls. Free parking at the softball/soccer fields/park. Nice, long, easy hike. 1 tiny hill before the waterfall. Plenty of rocks to walk on for a large part of the trail, this can be annoying and painful. The trail is wide in most places, and you will have to share with mountain bikers. There is some shade on the trail. Other trails crisscross the main trail, not sure where they lead to, only did the trail to the waterfall. Not much of a waterfall now in June, but there was water and dogs and people were enjoying it and cooling off. the view in the beginning with the tiny bridge, and the view at the end at the waterfall were the best views, in between was a lot of the same plants, trees, etc.

Great outdoor location! Love hiking here and lots if area to roam around. The creek is awesome and nice to bring a snack/refreshments to unwind. It does get hit so I recommend going early in the morning.

This is a great hike. My review is starting at the trailhead located at Mercy rd and Black Mountain rd. If you are coming down Mercy rd it ends and you cross over Blk Mo. rd into the trail head parking lot. It is $3 to park and you have to fill out the information envelope so have a pen. The trail has a very pretty creek and beautiful huge trees at the start. Follow the larger trail along the water and you will come to a sign that directs you to different locations. I choose the waterfall location. It was a very long hike, easy, flat, but long. Not a lot of shade, wear sunscreen and bring lots of water. Mountain bikes will be passing you a lot, they have bells so you can hear them coming. Lots of wildlife, dear, bunnies, snakes, birds, and squirrels to name a few. The waterfall may be small depending on what time of the year you go. There are grand rock formations to climb, and deep pools to dip into. Be mindful of carry in and carry out, there are garbage containers at the trail heads. Very scenic. Stroller and dog friendly until you reach the waterfall rocks. bench to sit and relax overlooking the canyon.