Lake Murray
Lake Murray
4.5
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  • David P
    Fayetteville, North Carolina204 contributions
    Away from the crowds, fish or relax and walk
    If you are new to San Diego or just visiting, Lake Murray is an excellent place to spend the morning/afternoon. There is adequate parking and it's safe. The lake has a paved road that goes all the way around from the parking area to the dam (3.2 miles). You can walk or bike, no cars! They have bathrooms, recommend taking a water bottle to stay hydrated. It would be a great place to train for a 6K run. Kids will like it because of the nature and it's a place were people are friendly.
    Visited December 2019
    Written January 5, 2020
  • TheExplorerFamily
    Somerset, New Jersey6,395 contributions
    Pleasant, Peaceful and Relaxing Area
    This pretty freshwater Lake is located in the Mission Trails Regional Park, and is a popular location for jogging, hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking and people-watching. There was plenty of seating and lots of grills available when we visited. There was a small snack bar with restroom facilities next to it. Also ample parking was available in the large lot. We came here one afternoon for a breath of fresh air in our busy schedule, and felt safe even though there were very few people around. The area is huge and we saw a massive amount of birds, plus some squirrels and hawks. We waited until sunset to take in the beauty of the lake and its surrounds. It is obviously a place for the local people. Worth a visit.
    Visited December 2019
    Written January 7, 2020
  • SanDiegoFoodCzar
    San Diego, California24 contributions
    The Good, The Great, and Why You'd Avoid - Walking path
    The Good - Nice safe area to walk around. Ducks, geese, and lots of families around so a pleasant environment. The Great - The views! Even though you are walking around a single lake, the view seems to change around every bend. While flat walks tend to get boring, the change in sceneray was a pleasant surprise. Why you'd avoid - Lake walking Usually I am not a big fan of walking around a lake due to bugs, smells and other reasons. add to that on this walk that it is about 3.25 miles to the end, then you have to walk 3.25 miles back the way you came. One thing I like about circling a lake is the feeling of accomplishment. Was kind of a let down when I found out I couldn't walk around the whole lake as it was fenced off.
    Visited September 2021
    Written September 22, 2021
  • K M K
    Kirkwall, United Kingdom30 contributions
    Easy Walk
    Great place to walk if you are recovering from back/hip issues. After 18 hours of travel time my back was pretty sore and I wanted an easy walk with good footing. Lake Murray fit the bill, we saw an osprey, squirrels, some very cute unidentifiable birds, a water snake, some golfers and a lot of cute dogs on leads. The toilets are the non-flush variety found in lots of parks. They can be quite odiferous and you might need a Kleenex or two. Bring your own water and wear a hat as the sun can be brutal.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 23, 2023
  • williamn3333
    63 contributions
    GREAT PLACE TO WALK THE DOG
    We love to walk our Lab on the walkway surrounding Lake Murray. The Lake it self is run by the City of San Diego. There is fishing and kayaking, but no water contact ( swimming or skiing). I do take my ski boat out on the water when I want to run it a little or just putt around. There is a low speed limit, (10 mph I believe). On both the east and west side there is an adjacent park. Plenty of parking.
    Visited February 2020
    Written March 1, 2020
  • jenniffertaylorSD
    San Diego, California56 contributions
    Rent a kayak
    We rented kayaks for the first time with the family. Had a blast for grandmas birthday. Always a beautiful area to walk. But this time was a more unique experience. Like being a tourist in your own backyard. Kayaks were fun and adorable.
    Visited August 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written December 14, 2022
  • Sabrina K
    San Diego, California39 contributions
    Great place for a family Stroll
    One of my favorite places to take a stroll. Great scenery and lots of people always around so I feel safe there. You can rent paddle boats on site. There are lots of ducks and animals to keep kids occupied during an afternoon picnic.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 3, 2023
  • simondog
    13 contributions
    No need to go to desert for Super Bloom
    Right now Lake Murray is alive with beautiful wild flowers. I wanted to drive to Anza/Borrego to see the Super Bloom but didn't want to fight traffic. I walked around the lake today and it is beautiful.
    Visited April 2017
    Traveled solo
    Written April 10, 2017
  • Andreina D
    San Diego, California31 contributions
    Take your kids to feed the ducks here!
    Awesome place to be with family and hang out and take a walk or even a hike. There is always parking and it is a delight to see the ducks and other birds here.
    Visited February 2014
    Traveled with family
    Written July 2, 2014
  • UgaBend OR
    Bend, Oregon162 contributions
    Walk about the lake
    Great place to get exercise and enjoy the sun and air. Very nice place to walk, fish or just read and relax on the many park benches.
    Visited February 2020
    Traveled solo
    Written February 23, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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K M K
Kirkwall, UK30 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Great place to walk if you are recovering from back/hip issues. After 18 hours of travel time my back was pretty sore and I wanted an easy walk with good footing. Lake Murray fit the bill, we saw an osprey, squirrels, some very cute unidentifiable birds, a water snake, some golfers and a lot of cute dogs on leads.

The toilets are the non-flush variety found in lots of parks. They can be quite odiferous and you might need a Kleenex or two.

Bring your own water and wear a hat as the sun can be brutal.
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

williamn3333
San Diego63 contributions
Feb 2020
We love to walk our Lab on the walkway surrounding Lake Murray. The Lake it self is run by the City of San Diego. There is fishing and kayaking, but no water contact ( swimming or skiing). I do take my ski boat out on the water when I want to run it a little or just putt around. There is a low speed limit, (10 mph I believe). On both the east and west side there is an adjacent park. Plenty of parking.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jenniffertaylorSD
San Diego, CA56 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We rented kayaks for the first time with the family. Had a blast for grandmas birthday. Always a beautiful area to walk. But this time was a more unique experience. Like being a tourist in your own backyard. Kayaks were fun and adorable.
Written December 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sabrina K
San Diego, CA39 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
One of my favorite places to take a stroll. Great scenery and lots of people always around so I feel safe there. You can rent paddle boats on site. There are lots of ducks and animals to keep kids occupied during an afternoon picnic.
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

simondog
san diego13 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
Right now Lake Murray is alive with beautiful wild flowers. I wanted to drive to Anza/Borrego to see the Super Bloom but didn't want to fight traffic. I walked around the lake today and it is beautiful.
Written April 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andreina D
San Diego, CA31 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
Awesome place to be with family and hang out and take a walk or even a hike. There is always parking and it is a delight to see the ducks and other birds here.
Written July 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

UgaBend OR
Bend, OR162 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Great place to get exercise and enjoy the sun and air. Very nice place to walk, fish or just read and relax on the many park benches.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chad
Vienna, VA110 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Perfect walking or running path in La Mesa. Stay to the right and you shouldn’t have any problems. No swimming as the lake is used for drinking water.
Written December 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kerry R
183 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Wonderful place. What I didn't like about it is that you cannot do running all around the lake because the road doesn't complete full cycle around it. So whatever distance you run or walk, you need to run it back 😁
Written April 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rpleb
cleveland56 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Walked here every morning while vacationing in San Diego. The park and walking road are very clean. Peaceful and quiet. Lots of wild life and scenery.
Written July 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Excellent Reviews78
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