Tecolote Canyon Natural Park and Nature Center

It's a beautiful park with a playground baseball diamonds/fields it has a bathroom and plenty of trails and picnic areas and a whole lot of nature's friends from hawks and owls to squirrels and rabbits but don't forget to watch out for snakes especially rattle snakes and it is the season for rattle snakes be aware.

A really cool canyon to have tucked in to such an urban area. A decent flow of water leads to a big diversity of species that can be seen throughout the canyon.

Tecolote Canyon is a beautiful and peaceful place to explore. The trails are well maintained and easy to walk, which makes it a relaxing spot for a casual hike. I’ve seen lots of wildlife here, including squirrels, bunnies, ducks, red hawks, snakes, and some small interesting insects. It’s a great place to enjoy nature without feeling far from the city. The trails have clear signs that help you know where you are going, so it’s hard to get lost. Overall, it’s a great spot to unwind and take in the natural surroundings.

Pretty hike along the creek area... Don't just stay on the service road. There are lots of little single track type hiking through the trees. There's not much elevation gain, so it's fairly easy walking...

Trail head behind Mt Etna Park ball fields. Nice trail and very clean.

With a primary trail stretching from the Tecolote Nature Center in the south to the North Clairemont Recreation Center in the north – and several side trails linked to neighborhoods – Tecolote Canyon Natural Park is an enjoyable place to go take a hike. I parked at the Nature Center, where the Tecolote Canyon Trail - South starts. (App “Hiking Project” divides the TCT into North and South segments.) The City’s map and signs in the park itself don’t name the trail – they just call it “Trail” with arrows telling you which way to go. There are, however, signs that tell you where the branch trails will take you. My hike, took me north, then east to Genesee Ave. The first mile or so of the trail is wide and used by official vehicles. It rained the night before my hike so that part of the trail had big puddles, mud, and puddles of mud (but no Puddle of Mudd). The rest of the trail brought me under streets, over streams, down narrow paths, and up steep hills. I reached the east end of the trail (Genesee Ave.) and spent some time there viewing works of art (graffiti) in the 2 tunnels crossing under the street. The trails are more interesting from past the golf course (going north) to Genesee because it’s mostly spooky cool trees and streams with plenty of shaded areas. I had to cross the streams that run through the park several times in each direction. The hike is about 7 miles round-trip. I’m saving the TCT - North for another day. The Nature Center is small but worth a visit. No fee to enter. Restrooms available. NOTE: The correct name for this park is Tecolote Canyon Natural Park, NOT Tecolote Canyon Natural Open Space Park as it appears on Google Maps.

Beautiful trails all marked and easy to navigate we entered from a steep entrance in a neighborhood area. Very clean canyon, no trash cans do not litter! Also did run into 1 snake but only caught a glimpse before it slithered out of the trail be mindful wear you step.

Trail closed for maintenance at south trailhead. I rerouted and tried to enter south of the golf course, only to make it a mile down on my run and encountered the other side of the trail closed too. Ran north towards Genesee along incredibly steep, dusty route along power line access road. Great trail challenge due to unexpected detouring. Would recommend the East-west trail from the golf course to Genesee Rd, it's a lovely grove. Just lots of trash, sadly, at the exit by Mesa College 😤😭

This area is so nice to take walks and ride bikes with friends and family. Close to Tecolote Park with a beautiful nature center nearby. As of right now, it is currently closed for a water construction project, but should reopen in late fall. The trail goes for a few miles and connects Bay Park with Clairemont and beyond. There are beautiful trees and vegetation restoration projects going on along the trail. You will see lots of different wild creatures. There is a cool biking trail that is good for around age 8 and up.l Not too difficult. It's called the Battle Trail and is right off of the Tecolote trail. It has some fun hills too. There is a small parking lot at Tecolote Park and another small parking lot at the nature center to ditch the car while you go on your ride

Named after the owl that lives in this canyon, Tecolote offers over 6 and a half miles of walking trails. The trails branch off in numerous different directions. Depending on where you live, I'd recommend consulting the map to figure out the best entrance point for you. The Tecolote Road entrance has the Nature Center, restrooms and a parking area. The trails are peaceful, quiet and filled with beautiful trees and plant life. It's a nice change for me compared to walking around my noisy traffic/construction filled neighborhood. My dog likes it too as we usually encounter at least a few dogs along the way. Bring your own water and or snacks if you plan to make a day of it. The Nature Center does not offer any refreshments. https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/park-and-recreation/pdf/tecolotetrailmap.pdf

An easy, dog friendly trail walk with wide open lanes and more narrow foot trails too! Spring 2023 is here and with all the rain we've been getting, I knew the hills would be green but WOW THE WILDFLOWERS PAVE ALMOST EVERY INCH OF THIS TRAIL! I like to hike with my dog and this is technically the closest non-beach trail to my house so I drove over around 8am on a Saturday in March. At this time there was only one baseball game being played so parking wasn't scarce but I would be mindful of the time when trying to hike here as the 3 baseball fields draw a different crowd too. I parked my car on the side of the road and my dog and I walked in. I was really pleasantly surprised by the trail signs identifying different animals and plants that are native and can be spotted around. We saw squirrels and bunnies as well as 10+ wildflower species and a babbling brooke with a TREE SWING about 2.5miles in (DON'T MISS THIS!) Although it hadn't rained in 2 days, the trails were still muddy and there were streams running throughout so I would recommend waterproof footwear and a towel for when you get your dog back to the car (they love mud). Yes there are little foot bridges to get you over the shallow spots but don't bring your favorite shoes out to this trail - bring your keens. It's not a ton of elevation gain (500ft or so) but more like rolling hills. I love the narrow paths because they feel really isolated and natural. You can go farther than I did (I think the full trail to Genesee and back is maybe 7 miles total?) or less - that's the beauty of an out and back trail. Choose the path that follows the fence and you won't get lost. I followed the truck trail once and ended up in the neighborhoods and it wasn't as enjoyable at all. I saw a group of what I can only assume were bird watchers so maybe there's a schedule of guided nature walks or something at the nature center? My only demerit was for the lack of poop stations for the doggies. If this is a dog friendly trail and has truck access, it would make sense to put some doggy stations - or at least ONE at the start. All in all a great escape into the green hills super close to downtown and the beach. I'll be back. :)

My friends and I hiked along the Tecolote Canyon Trails and it was a tough one! The trail we took was about 4.2 miles round trip and had 3 sets of extremely steep slopes that were at 30 degree angles (but felt like 45 degrees). For hikers of all levels, I highly recommend wearing hiking boots or at the very least shoes with great traction. The majority of the trail is on loose gravel with small rocks and pebbles, or sand. For the less experienced hikers, not only are trekking poles recommended, I'd say it was required. I slipped on some loose gravel on my way down from the first of 3 steep slopes and actually fell. While I didn't tumble and fall like the cartoon characters (you know, with the slow motion arms flapping), I did slip and land on my butt and right wrist. Luckily I didn't injure myself. After my fall, the leader of the hike gave my friend and I 1 of each of his trekking poles so that we could finish the hike. Honestly, without the single trekking pole, I doubt I could make it back. I might have resorted to "rolling" down the slopes (if I could get up the slopes in the first place!!). It was quite a workout. In terms of steepness, this is one of the hardest hikes I've tried. If I do decide to go back, I will 100% invest in a pair of trekking poles!

Well First thing We we're looking for an hiking trail and this trail came to mind so first it is fairly easy and the trail is not to long . So we started and you just stay on the path and there are a couple ways you can hike this trail and it is a trail for all . There are lots of Bushes and trees plus the view is ok . But we started and once you get to the end it is kind of like a circle but we did enjoy it . There is a couple of puddles and there is a water stream below just be careful !! The hike is easy !! It is for all and I do suggest you give it a try and enjoy the walk around and you can see lots of cactus and trees plus a couple of good views but if your looking for something a bit harder I do suggest others but there are a couple of entrances to this Canyon Trail So just google it and enjoy !! Bring Water and a couple of Snacks just in case you get hungry !! Overall Easy Trail and Perfect fit for Beginners and lots of Flat land !!! I Might give this trail a try again !!! Located in Clairemont and Parking is on the side Street or Shopping Center !!

This a like a hidden gem. It's right in Linda Vista near USD and offers bikers, hikers, runners and walkers various options to make the trip very hard to easy. It runs parallel to a golf course and a neighborhood with several minor trails leading up to houses. I've only done the Genesse trail from the entrance trail head. There are about 7 very steep incline and declines that are killer but worth it- however there is a parallel less intense path that leads to the same trail. Once you get to the trees there are small rocky streams. Trail ends at the major road so it's not too fascinating. Round trip around 6 miles.

This trail is super close to the Mission Bay Area and they have a big area with free parking. The first thing we noticed when we walked into the trail area was that on the fences lining the trail, there were paintings of animals that you might see while you're in the area. We saw detailed paintings of rattlesnakes, monarch butterflies, owls; coyotes, and more. Each image included the scientific name for the animals. You can tell that they really took their time creating the art that they posted here. The whole area is really well-kept and clean. There's lots of spaces throughout with big trees if you need to take a little break and drink some water while hiding from the sun. The trail is very flat so I think this would be a good trail for small kids or for dogs. There is a clean restroom at the front of the trail near the visitor center as well.

This is one of my favorite places to hike locally especially after the rains. Today was no exception. The river was full so it was fun to listen to it rushing by as I walked on the trail. I like to hike the Hills up and down underneath The powerlines for a good cardio workout. It's much less slippery on the down slopes after a rain. After the hills you end up at the river and then you can turn left and returned on an easier route adjacent to the Tecolote golf course or you can turn right and take some side trails up to Genesee Avenue. Those are really fun if you have time because you get to be along the river. I saw two cottontail bunnies today and enjoyed looking at all the green hills that are usually brown. Do you have a great restroom facility at the Tecolote Nature Center. They also have incredible exhibits there so don't pass it up if you have time after Or before your hike. You can go as short or as long as you want. My hike was about 5 miles and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Leg workout for sure! These hills are a great cardio workout and great for working that apple bottom ladies! There are several different trails you can take depending on how much work you want to put in. With this group we went around to the side and took the side trail that overlooks the golf course. Then started our trek up the first set of hills. Some of the hills are much steeper than others. Trekking poles are not needed but it is very helpful to have when going down the steep declines. Much less pressure on your knees but you can absolutely do it without poles just have good traction on your shoes. Go slow don't rush it, loose gravel and rocks will easily cause a slip. The longer route will take you about 6 miles or so and the shorter round trip will be about 4.5 miles. There are several different entrances into the trails, one from USD, one from an apartment complex and then the main entrance. Not much shade on this trail I would bring plenty of water and a good hat. The trail is well kept, it's a wide trail. It's a mix of sand and loose gravel. Pets are allowed most people had their dogs off leashes. Saw a few kids but I don't they went through the major hills. There are different trails to take once you get inside. There are signs for each side trail you can take. Lots of snake warnings, just be careful. We didn't run into any during this hike. Overall it was a pretty good hike that got my heart pumping on the hills. I would like to run some the trail, the start is pretty flat and the smaller hills would be fun to run through for a challenge.

Always a joy to walk in Tecolote Canyon park, esp'ly in April~May when our diverse native flora is in full bloom--a fabulous step into a peaceful "interzone" just moments away from our suburban SD density.

I like that the Canyon has over 6 miles of trails that can be used for walking or hiking. There's also the Tecolote Nature Center which has a number of exhibits on the animal and plant life of the Canyon. I understand that the Nature Center is also available for meetings, workshops, classes and special events.

Started this 6 mile hike for the first time mid morning on Saturday. Lots of wildlife and flowers. Considered easy the deeper into the trail there may be some water you need to cross. Overall easy family hike,

Such a spectacular spot to go for a quick hike or wonder off to the beauty of nature.

As an urban hike that traverses behind (north of) the USD campus, Tecolote Canyon is a real hidden gem and usually not crowded at all. The trail is wide, but you do have to be wary of snakes and other wildlife that you may encounter along the way. I really like this trek because it's the most challenging hike in the central area of San Diego without having to go east of I-15 or even north of SR-52 for that matter. If you start at the North Clairemont Community Park and follow it all the way to the Tecolote Community Park, then it's a nearly eight mile hike in one direction. Unfortunately, Balboa Ave cuts across the path about 1/4 of the way through so you have to walk along the shoulder of that busy road (not fun!) before reconnecting with the lower portion of the trail. There are at least eight steep dirt hills in that part of the hike which will really test your stamina. They are great for slope training, but be careful as folks have slipped, fell and dislocated shoulders/fractured elbows/sprained ankles/etc. from the steep gradient. Trekking poles are highly recommended if you want to scale up and down each hill. You get a nice view of the Tecolote Canyon Golf Course to the west and then as you approach the southern terminus of the trail, the taller buildings of the USD campus come into sight. This hike is dog friendly excluding the set of hills. The north portion of the trail has shade as you are hiking along a dry creek bed, but the south portion is completely exposed so wear sunscreen and a hat. Parking is plentiful in the lots at both the North Clairemont Community Park and the Tecolote Community Park.

A great place to go for a hike and enjoy some nature in the middle of an urban area. Very family friendly, make a stop at the nature center is very educational with lots of information about the area. The trails are flat at the beginning and eventually go up and down some hills for a great cardio workout, some trails are wide and some are narrow, during the winter the cool weather helps for longer hikes and spring time there is lots of wild flowers. Plenty of parking, clean bathrooms and easy to get to from the 5 Enjoy!

Unique spot in the middle of the city. First time visit and got turned around. There's a path that has rolling hills (steep inclines) and another flatter path (almost like a service road). Dog friendly. Lots of entrance points through the surrounding neighborhoods. Few people on the path early morning. I may have to come back, but first impression is "eh, just okay"

This trail could be as easy or hard as you want it to be. Trail is an out & back. The "main" trail sits along a fence line, that separates you from a golf course, watch out for them golf balls! There are a few off shoots/loops, with steeper inclines you could take and will eventually bring you back to the main trail, if not it'll bring you to an exit. As you continue down the path, you will come into the valley. Very pretty...I almost felt like "Alice in wonderland", when she falls down the rabbit hole, but instead I was walking through it. You'll begin to hear water flow, so relaxing. There's even a swing you can swing on in the middle of the creek/stream. Overall, I truly enjoyed this hike.

If you want dirt hills, wide trails, and an overall challenging hike.. come here! This trail has some serious incline and descents with its trek.. my legs were feeling it. Some pros: parking lot, dog friendly with baggy stations, wide path, lots of signs about the wildlife in the area. Cons- not the most scenic in my opinion, you're literally walking amongst power lines and a golf course. But if you don't care about scenery then this place is 100%.

One of my favorites. First 2 jokes are really flat. There is one trail that you can take during these first 2 miles ... the "battle trail". It is full of wild flowers and nature. After the 2 miles it is pretty up and down. I fell the first time. Bought my self some hiking shoes and have gone back several times. Plenty of parking.

On a cool day, this was a nice hike. We parked on Lanston in a residential area in Linda Vista (which looked a little sketchy) where we entered through an open gate between 2 houses which we weren't sure about initially, but there was a park looking sign on the gate. The hill we went down was moderately steep which made it a good workout coming up. Went towards the nature center but didn't get to it. Loved that the hills were so green. Wouldn't come here on a warm day as trails are exposed though we did see one trail go towards USD which was covered by trees.

I loved this trail. In the middle of the city but you can get away. The trail is mostly flat, but at times the hills were really steep. They were few and far between though. Some shade at times and you pass by the golf course. Saw people on bikes too, but I hiked.

I have to be honest- I kind of don't want to review this place. I sort of like that there were not a ton of people here, and that its sort of a hidden bit of wilderness in the heart of San Diego. Its dog friendly (on leash, please!) which you may have noticed is sort of important to me. I prefer on leash places for hikes with my pup so this was a critical part of my reason for coming. Critical details: I can see that even though there is some shade, this place could be HOT. Bring water, snacks, more water and comfortable shoes. Its not an extreme hike by any means, but there are rattlers along the trail (you can hear them in the shrubs) so thats something to also keep in mind. Parking is free, but if there are a bunch of people in the baseball fields nearby, it could be crowded. They have free maps on the board next to the nature center. I didn't go into the nature center- because i had my dog, but it seemed like they had some cool areas for educational kid adventures. They also had a little fenced in nature area for kids with what my dog decided was his resting hut.

Nice place to hike! It's key to wear good hiking shoes to cross the rocky streams. You can take the easy route by walking straight along the path or you can climb up the steep hills that lead to USD. Great place to walk, run, hike, or bike. It's such a serene environment in the middle of an urban area.

Great trail near USD and the tecolote park. Starts off easy and the progresses to some very Intense, steep hills. Great for a good leg workout if you run up, but beware the decent...it's suuuppeerrr steep!

I have visited many beautiful wild places in springtime or early summer bloom, but few can match the sheer power to surprise of Tecolote Canyon. It is a hidden gem just waiting to happen, except that the beauty lasts so briefly before it fades away. As San Diego's first open space preserve, Tecolote Canyon deserves huge credit for pioneering new ways to reclaim urban natural space. The preserve is divided by golf courses, private clubs, and numerous residential neighborhoods, but the one mile stretch that runs underneath the University of San Diego is a real wildflower treat in late April during wet winters. It still has rough edges and no one will mistake it for Toulomne Meadows In Yosemite or the Carrizo Plain National Monument during a super bloom, but I can't complain about the colors and calmness that contrast so nicely with the surrounding city. An attached nature and education center has lots more to discover and friendly rangers to assist you, but the preserve itself needs no narration to enjoy. The flowers in spring make it more meaningful for me than a tour of the USS Midway, stroll in Balboa Park, or other more popular tourist stop. So, if you fly into San Diego in spring and see patches of yellow dotting the canyons, plan a brief stop here as well. The power of the flower is something epic to behold! You can always get a fresh beer at Ballast Point or Coronado Brewing Company after ...

Well deserved 4 stars. I am going to recommend and return to this park in the future. Pros: - This park is a triple threat. Great for mountain biking, hiking, and being away from the city, to be with nature. - Views. - Bring your dog. - Info center, friendly services. - If a park ranger is a available, you could get a tour of the park. - In the visitor center, they have showcases of the wild life and plants at the park, they actually have a lot more on a variety of things here. Bathrooms are behind the center. Cons: - I think plants are seasonal, so you won't get to see some of the wild plant life, during certain times. I don't know. When I went, some of the plant were withered, dead, and gone. - Bees and snakes. But it's part of the charm, I guess. I'm just not to privy to wild attacks. Look, I came here, in the morning. There were a few several people walking, hiking, biking, or walking their dogs. I walked out, pretty far, but turned right around when I heard the rattle of a snake. Call me a coward, but I wasn't going to risk a surprise attack from whatever venomous . I really like this place and I want to come back someday, but maybe I'll stick to the wide, straight, trail, and avoid the immersive Battle Trail.

About 3 mile round trip. Pros: Convenient from where we were staying and we came after Free easy parking. Quiet, chill, relaxing. Wide trails No snakes. Cons: Dry, lack of good scenery to see other than nice houses on the hills. some dog poops

What a great hike! I took my 4 year old and 1.5 year old on this hike. It's flat enough that they could both do it. We ended up going in the entrance that's opposite from the main entrance. The only drawback is there's a good amount of poison oak around the trail. My kids stayed on the trail and I held my youngest at some points but if your kids are big wanderers I'd avoid it. It wasn't an issue for us so I would go back and probably try the other entrance.

Tecolote Canyon truly is a hidden gem. If you're looking for a walking, running, or biking path, the canyon is great. It is located between the University of San Diego and a local neighborhood. There are many points of entry the main one being at the end of Tecolote Road. If you're affiliated with USD at all, you can park on campus and walk down the canyon entrance near the baseball field. Once you get in the canyon, it is very sandy. So wear shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. There is a main path and some smaller ones that branch off. There are bikers, walkers, and runners along the paths. Occasionally I have seen horses along the path as well. The path does get very warm on hot days so wear light clothing. There are some animals in the canyon - rabbits and snakes and birds galore. I have heard of a coyote sighting or two but I've never seen one myself. While there are animals in the canyon, it's generally safe for adults and kids alike.

when people ask where i live...i have started to define it simply as tecolote canyon. nothing against clairemont, but saying you live on a canyon just sounds a lot cooler! and being that im blessed to look out on this beautiful canyon everyday from my backyard (thats right, its my neighbor to the west!), I think I can get away with it. Nearly every day I run through these trails to get my exercise on. I think one of the charms of tecolote is there are so many different trails to go through, and differing geological climates to it....all right in the middle of suburbia. For the first part of my route I actually get to pretend im in a forest. It's lush, green,water flowing (thanks to the rain this year!). Truly beautiful. Then some areas look pretty traditional of SD, chaparral and not much shade. As mentioned already, for those looking for a good challenge there are these awesome rolling steep hills running along the power lines - from Clairemont down to USD. Last weekend I was feeling gung-ho and decided rather than my standard one hill climb, I would just keep going. These hills are near vertical at parts and it's a fun challenge to see how high I can run until i collapse and tumble back down. Just kidding, I just walk up the rest. Ended up doing 3 of them and looping back around along the golf course back home. Not before a bug flew up my nose, I accidentally ran through a swarm of bees running downward, and witnessed a beautiful hawk coasting above me. Ahhhh nature. I've hiked these trails with a lot of people and everyone seems to really enjoy it. As I said, there are lots of different routes so it's up to your desecration on how far to go and how challenging. Lot's of people take their dogs through them as well - oh and watch out for poison oak! It's dormant right now but is massive quantities during the high season. It's always nice to have some rockin nature right in the middle of the city. I've crossed paths with a few coyotes but they pretty much keep to themselves and run away from you. Scrawny dogs. Happy hiking... *photos were taken on 2-21-10, after a morning rain ~~~two-fiddieth review woot!~~~

Loved this trail! Well maintained and large portions of it are flat. Great hike for families and dogs.

I've done this hike about three times with my pup on a Saturday and ever time I've been surprised by the lack of other hikers-it's a great hike that pushes you at points to the "oh fu*^ you've got to be kidding me" and the scenery is pretty, so I was expecting more people to be out on the trail. At some points like I mention the trail (which follows power lines) goes straight up or down, so it might not be the best hike for a leisurely stroll or little ones. For dogs and people looking to sweat it's perfect.

Encompassing over 900 acres of natural preserve, Tecolote Canyon has a lot to offer. From its trails for hikers and mountain bikers, to the wildlife for avid nature watchers, and learning centers for students or enthusiast, Tecolote has something for everyone to enjoy. The learning center may be small, but it has a lot of educational value. It has plenty of information on native animals (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/tecolote-canyon-natural-park-and-nature-center-san-diego?select=zZTA8uMRG4K4xtGLm7ATPA#v5zR6S3BxLYoJ4ZJY0KA-A) and more importantly, educational information regarding the California Native Americans. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/tecolote-canyon-natural-park-and-nature-center-san-diego?select=zZTA8uMRG4K4xtGLm7ATPA#7DiWHOh_jMDLGXe1g93Seg) The park and nature center also provide study trips for classrooms and special events. In addition to variety of stuffed native wildlife, (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/tecolote-canyon-natural-park-and-nature-center-san-diego?select=zZTA8uMRG4K4xtGLm7ATPA#bLlpyAxXkYOesvlDX8EIGg) they center also has live native snakes on display. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/tecolote-canyon-natural-park-and-nature-center-san-diego?select=zZTA8uMRG4K4xtGLm7ATPA#s7sQNfKWptw8-GUAGap_7Q) Dogs are allowed on the trails, provided they are on a leash. If you are looking for a tax deductible donation, your donation will go towards the maintenance of the park and educational programs; seems like a win win for everyone. So, if you are simply looking for a place to go for a walk or hike for exercise, or to learn about San Diego's present a past native life, Tecolote Canyon deserves a visit.

Nice trail in the city. We've never been here before and went for an afternoon walk for the first time here. We just walked along the main trail until we hit the golf course and then sprinted up the really steep hill! We took the Battle trail on the way back. Much more interesting. It was a good workout, not very difficult, and there was plenty of parking near the nature center! A lot of people walking their dogs on this trail. We also ran into a snake, but it slithered off.

What's not to love about this serene, well-maintained scenic spread of land smack in the middle of an urban environment? I always enter by the nature center, and granted the terrain is flat and well paved for the first mile or so, there are some very steep hills that follow so making a jog or brisk hike well worth your while. I do see snakes, no ratllers though, from time to time, and as much as they startle me, they aren't actually bothering me. The views are great, you can see USD campus up to the south, a golf course in the distance to the north, but all around you is quiet nature - which is a rarity in San Diego. Springtime the wildflowers are in full bloom so bring your Claritin...and a camera. Oh, please keep your dogs on a leash... I don't care how friendly they are... there are snakes and small kids from time to time.

This is the best place in central San Diego to run trails. It's hard to believe that it's right off the busy 5 freeway. The main road out from the visitor's center is wide and flat if you just want an easy stroll, but there's a smaller, winding path that goes to the same place shooting off to the right. After about a mile, the two join back up and you can either take the fire roads for some killer hills, or hug the golf course for some nice running up and down the side of the canyon. My favorite part is when you leave the golf course and go into the tree-covered area; it's beautiful with early morning sunshine coming in. There are lots of other entrance points such as from USD or from Genesee or Balboa. If you don't mind popping back out onto streets for a bit, you can string together various sections of trails for a long run. This is also a place I feel comfortable running by myself during daylight hours. Another plus? The bathrooms by he visitor's center are the nicest, cleanest public restrooms in San Diego. I wouldn't have expected it, but there you have it.

There are several different ways to get to this canyon, but I think the best way is right off the 5, past the Shell station and into the Visitor Center. It is relatively quiet and peaceful for being stuck right in the middle of the city. The golf course takes a good portion of the canyon unfortunately, but you can walk right beside the fence and around the eastern edge of it until it veers to the right and enters a tranquil oasis with very old oak trees and water (if it's not summer/fall). There are many trails you can take throughout the canyon. When you are hiking parallel with the golf course, there are some serious inclines before you descend into the oasis. You will be surrounded by power lines, houses, USD, busy streets, airplanes, and a golf course, but it is very calm inside. Unfortunately, vagrants tend to leave their trash where they hang out, so you may run into some of this. The trail goes to the right of a small babbling brook (hopefully) and then goes back up the hill for more climbing. It is very sunny a lot of the trails, then you get reprieve with shade from various trees. You can also mountain bike. Hopefully, you will see some wildlife while you are there. I saw a blue heron, a turtle, tons of different kinds of other birds, many lizards, butterflies, and bees. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place when you want to "get out of the city" but don't want to drive an hour or more. Enjoy!

I've been here a few times now, with and without my dog. There are a few entrances, I've only been through 2 of them. The main entrance has a visitor's center that has some displays and exhibits and a few live animals, (snakes and spiders). There are restrooms there also if you need to use them before or after. From that entrance the trail is kind of dry and dusty and exposed, not much shade. In the late afternoons it's not quite as hot. The other entrance I've found is off of Boyd. This one is a little more fun as it has some "terrain." There's more shade coverage and someone has created a little rock sculpture or maybe it's an altar, don't know, but it's cool to look at. There's a bunch of golf balls along the way as it's right next to the Tecolote Golf Course. WARNING: One of the last times I was there, there was (thankfully) a sign posted warning of bees nesting underground and as I was close enough to read the sign I did indeed see up ahead bees hovering around an area in the ground. If you don't know where this is and have a dog with you, make sure it is leashed. It wouldn't be good if he/she had run up ahead and found the nest before you read the warning.

Great hike for little kids because of the flat terrain. Recently visited wtih the Kindergarden for a field trip and had wonderful docents who were knowledgeable about all the flora in the area. We passed seemingly insignificant bushes, only to discover that they were covered with tiny berries that we could lightly brush with a finger and touch our tongues to taste! Lemonade berries! We also smelled 3 different varieties of sage, (black, white, and sage-brush). We inspected burrows and visited the native garden and viewed shell fossils. The docents gave a nice simple lecture for the littles which they loved! Plenty of parking, great trails, open space, what's not to love? If you want a challenge, you can hike straight up the valley to USD as well. There are great climbing trees and a small picnic area in the shade for lunch or snack. It's so nice that the locals pushed to preserve this area years ago so that we could appreciate it today!

This is a great go to hike for kids as it gets them away from their electronics and out into nature. Tecolote Canyon is one of the best open space areas in San Diego - and there are a lot to choose from well over 10,000 acres. The total distance for the complete loop is ~5ish miles. The trails are well maintained and designed for all skill levels - Mt. bikes are even welcome. The nature center is amazing and a must stop if you are near that end of the canyon. It is loaded with hands on displays and most items are at kids height. It is the staff that make the nature center such a great resource, they are friendly and very knowledgeable. Native species thrive here: birds, a wealth of plants and trees, and small critters can be found wherever you look.

Nothing beats an awesome run by the water! Ran a 10k last Saturday in support of Military Families with Autism and the scenic trail made for a fantastic run! At the finish line it didn't feel much of 10k which is definitely a good sign. This place is indeed one of the best spots I've ran and would definitely do it over again.

It was Okay, I guess. Not much to see. Dirt, rocks, shrubs and houses along the ridge, oh and some type of giant plant (water, sewage?) with a chain link fence. I guess it's better than nothing but I will definitely look for something worthwhile next time.

Well.. a friend of mine and I wanted to go on a hike and decided to check this one out. It definitely wasn't for us due to the lack of scenery. We even did the Battleground Trail which is a good beginner's bike trail but I would say that is about it.

One of my fav local hiking spots. Initially when my boyfriend and I went hiking here we only stuck to the front portion and didn't realize there was a very nice and challenging hilly area in the back. You can even come across wildlife sometimes--especially rattlesnakes. Great for photos and stories but make sure you keep your distance! The last two times my boyfriend and I have been here we have seen snakes! The staff /rangers are also really nice and really helpful in the nature center if you ever need anything.

I had just recently purchased my first good tier mountain bike and wanted to take a ride through some trails nearby for my first time. My search led me here. First thing, I arrived on a Saturday morning and parking was ALL taken within the park. I'm not sure if it's a regular occurrence, but I wouldn't think so. I guess I had just come on opening day of little league baseball or something. Every field had a game going on and there were parties and bounce houses and the concession stands were open. The park was alive! I ended up having to park on the street over. No big deal, I was on a bike haha. Still, if i were going for a run or a walk, it would've been a hassle. The off road starts at the end of the baseball fields and goes for miles. There's a nature center with maps and brochures right before you head it. Kind of gives you a chance to see what it's like there. The trail wasn't too bad in the beginning. Lots of forks leading off what seemed to be the main trail so I kind of just guessed my way through. I didn't have a schedule so it didn't matter. The ride was as smooth as it could be for being off road for the first 1/3 of my trip. Not much shade so bring a hat and some sunscreen! Also, there wasn't too much traffic so I never had to stop too much watch out for people. I was happy about that. The second 1/3rd of my trip, I had to get off the bike as there were parts that were very sandy and hard to peddle through. The trail got narrow at some points and had breaks in the dirt. I'm not super experienced so I didn't want to try jumping those. Had to get off as well haha. The intensity escalated very quickly once i got to the first hill. I go running a lot but i couldn't peddle up, and even walking my bike up was ridiculous! I felt so out of shape! haha Great views once you're at the top though. Definitely worth it! My last part of the trip was the return to the entrance, but through some other, more bike friendly routes that were off the main trail. I REALLY enjoyed the last part and will be taking that way again for sure when I go back :) I did get to see a lot of wild life. Lizards, squirrels, birds. All paired with the beautiful hills, flowers, trees and perfect California sky, it was a great ride :) I didn't get to ride through every trail so i'll definitely be coming back for more. I didn't get any flats in my tires from spikes on the ground or anything out here either so I was happy about that. If you're in the vicinity, i'd highly recommend it!

SERIOUS inclines after the first mile. We are two semi-fit 20 somethings and we definitely got a workout in. Definitely don't go on a first date here, try Torrey Pines instead. It's fun though once you get over the fear of falling down hills! And you're happy when it's over and feel accomplished. This is not a covered trail so bring water and sunscreen. Btw we parked at 5180 Tecolote Road which is where the main visitors center is.

Went here today out for a hike and to geocache with a couple buddies. This is a really nice park and the only downside is how steep the hills are. I recorded a GPS track from the parking lot on Tecolote Rd to Genesee Ave and back. Total Length is 7.6 miles or 12.2km.

First time here. Not very crowded at all, plenty of free parking. At 1pm on a Sunday we saw maybe a total of 6 other hikers/runners the whole time. Only went a mile in to the golf course. Saw a rattlesnake just past the trash cans on the right side of the edge of the "road". 1 person had dogs off leash (dumb dog owner considering I told her about the rattlesnake). Nice hike overall. Can't wait to hit the hills. We'll definitely be back.

Good hike!! I hiked this trail for the first time today with my dog and enjoyed. The only downsides to it is it takes almost a mile on a flat trail until you get to the challenging parts. At the end I was right next to a road, so I'm pretty certain you can access the trail from that part and just do the up and down parts. Also, not the most knee friendly!! It gets steep and goes up through 6 small hills ranging from 50-100 yards to the top, and then drops you back down. Overall, good hike and very friendly ranger!!