San Diego's Picturesque Hiking Trail Offers A Peaceful Escape From Crowds With Canyon Views

Around 9 miles from from San Diego's world-famous Balboa Park is the perfect escape from city crowds — the Navajo Canyon Trail in Navajo Canyon Open Space Park. While it's still within the city limits and actually can be found in a bustling neighborhood near San Diego State University, this trail manages to feel remarkably natural. At times, it's even quiet. You might hear a little road noise at first, but the farther you go, the easier it is to forget that you're in one of the most populated cities in the United States.

Hikers who drive to this trek often leave their cars on Adobe Falls Road before hitting the trail. The route only takes about an hour to hike, but it provides some beautiful views of the local landscape. While it may be rocky in places, many hikers love to bring their children and leashed dogs along on this relatively easy walk. It could be a nice spot for a solo adventure, but at least one hiker on AllTrails reported feeling unsafe on their own, so make sure you brush up on some safety tips while hiking alone. While on some days you may see a lot of other hikers on the trail, you can expect some quiet solitude in nature during the less popular times, making this stroll a surprising oasis in San Diego.

Less than a 15-minute drive from the vibrant streets of San Diego's Old Town, California's oldest city, the Navajo Canyon Trail can be a relaxing break from the chaos and noise of city life. Of course, it has some challenges of its own. Expect an unkept trail with plenty of loose rocks. You may even come upon some places where you have to cross shallow water or get out of the way of the stream bed to avoid getting wet. This is especially likely when it has rained recently (or if it is still raining). You should definitely wear sturdy shoes as you explore.

Other than the loose rocks, the only downside frequently cited by those who have hiked this trail is the lack of trash cans along the way. Unfortunately, that can mean a lot of garbage lying around, especially because a lot of people walk their dogs on the trail. Make sure to bring a bag with you and carry out anything you bring in. Better yet, if you love the trail, consider volunteering with San Diego Canyonlands to help keep San Diego's natural spaces clean — or just bring a trash bag and scoop up any litter you see along the way.