Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park
4.5
About
Just a few minutes from downtown San Diego, Mission Trails Regional park has hiking trails, campgrounds, fishing, picnic facilities, and lots of wide open spaces. Run, bike or walk and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful scenery.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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116 within 3 miles
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154 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
181 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
50
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Matthew F
Oradell, NJ5 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
This is what you suspect it will be - hiking through the desert that is San Diego. The trails are reasonably well maintained and were easily navigated using AllTrails.
I hiked in from Mission Gorge and Jackson, trail was a little steep initially but manageable to anyone in reasonably good shape.
I found the trails rather boring though - pretty much no wildlife to speak of, just dirt and brush. I had intended to go to South Fortuna, but it got hot and we turned back. Views from the hills in between were just ok.
I hiked in from Mission Gorge and Jackson, trail was a little steep initially but manageable to anyone in reasonably good shape.
I found the trails rather boring though - pretty much no wildlife to speak of, just dirt and brush. I had intended to go to South Fortuna, but it got hot and we turned back. Views from the hills in between were just ok.
Written August 13, 2021
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.
SanDiegoNick
San Diego, California225 contributions
This does not belong anywhere near the top of the list of interesting or touristy things to do or see in San Diego. This is a mostly-treeless area reserved for locals to get an exercise hike in on the weekends without having to drive very far. If you're a first-time visitor to San Diego, you won't want to spend your time here. I'll venture to say 99% of San Diegans have never been here, and probably 80% of them couldn't find it on a map. Only consider visiting this place if you need to really break a sweat, and you want to get away from the urban environment to do so.
Written August 10, 2008
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.
jwongcsp
San Diego, CA26 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
I happen to live near the East end of Claremont Mesa Blvd.near the trail head, and noticed a "Meter Maid" putting parking tickets on cars parked in the Bike Lane. I feel bad for all you hard working folks who just want to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Please park on Rueda or other residential streets nearby. Sadly, the Meter Maids are a great income source for City government.
Written March 31, 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.
Ruben G
San Diego, CA27 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
The Mission Trails Regional Park is one of the favourite hiking spots in San Diego, if you love the environment and to be in the nature thats the place for you to be. There is a nice not to difficult hike which need around 50 minutes to climb, if you are an beginner, you can make it in 40, if you are an more professional and active person. Anyways everybody who likes sports outdoors, will like this place go there and visit the Mission Trails Regional Park Museum as well of course!!
Written July 26, 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.
MonicaChicago
Los Angeles, CA32 contributions
Great park for hikes and scenery, but can be a little dangerous sometimes. Watch out for the million rattlesnakes lurking everywhere -- I know of dogs that were bitten. This regional area is home to coyotes and mountain lions and I have personally encountered a cougar while hiking, which was terrifying beyond belief. It's like being on the wrong side of the fence at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. There are more people on the weekends, but also less solace, so if you go during the weekdays for some peace and quiet and to commune with nature, be aware that sometimes there are creepy men sitting in their cars or trucks watching the women runners go by. Keep extra vigilant for all types of predators, human and animal, if you go alone, or go with a group for safety in numbers, as attacks on women, and attempted abductions, have been known to happen there.
Written January 15, 2012
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.
dsrtgrl
Charlotte, NC451 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
If you have half a day and are looking to experience the beauty of San Diego from a different vantage point a climb to the summit of Cowles Mountain ele.1592 ft. puts you as high as you can go in the city. The climb is rated a 5 but if you're in reasonable shape (can climb 50+ flights of stairs) and have proper footwear (no flipflops or sneakers, hiking boots recommended) you'll be glad you took the challenge.
There are two ways to access the summit. The more popular route begins at the corner of Navajo Rd and Golfcrest Dr in San Carlos. Access is easy off 8 or 125. The back route which is a bit steeper and longer but far less travelled is off Mesa Rd at Big Rock Park. There are restroom facilities and off-street parking at both locations. Be sure to download a trail map or pick one up at the Visitor Center before you begin your ascent especially from Big Rock Park as the trails aren't as well marked on the back side of the mountain. Carry at least one litre of water with you and if it's warm plan on a sunrise departure and wear sunscreen and a hat.
There is a coffee shop across the street to pick up beverages and snacks before or after your ascent.
There are two ways to access the summit. The more popular route begins at the corner of Navajo Rd and Golfcrest Dr in San Carlos. Access is easy off 8 or 125. The back route which is a bit steeper and longer but far less travelled is off Mesa Rd at Big Rock Park. There are restroom facilities and off-street parking at both locations. Be sure to download a trail map or pick one up at the Visitor Center before you begin your ascent especially from Big Rock Park as the trails aren't as well marked on the back side of the mountain. Carry at least one litre of water with you and if it's warm plan on a sunrise departure and wear sunscreen and a hat.
There is a coffee shop across the street to pick up beverages and snacks before or after your ascent.
Written December 31, 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.
TWF
San Diego, CA192 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Great trails easy to reach from San Diego. Mountain trails, woods trails and open grassland trails. The lower park on the Santee side features the Old Mission Dam, a ruin but a neat place to scramble and hike. Wonderful when the rains swell the San Diego River. Wander the trails and stumble across ancient Kumeyaay cooking sites.
The visitors center is a great hike uphill from the dam but can also be reached by road, making the dam a downhill hike. The route is a popular hike and bike route. Tip: Check out the reading room in the visitors center.
The visitors center is a great hike uphill from the dam but can also be reached by road, making the dam a downhill hike. The route is a popular hike and bike route. Tip: Check out the reading room in the visitors center.
Written June 8, 2013
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.
SDRBN
San Diego, CA54 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
Mission trails has a great variety of trails and is close to most San Diego neighborhoods. We have enjoyed hiking from the Clairemont Mesa trailhead and also the Father Junipero Serra Trailhead. The mountains are challenging (North and South Fortuna) and we generally avoid going to the busier Cowles Mountain. Great wildflowers in the spring and early summer. Please keep your dogs on leash if you hike with dogs!
Written July 9, 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.
J E
Munich, Germany28 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
I enjoyed a lovely day in this park. The flowers were in full bloom, the water on the San Diego river crossing was a great cooling temperature and the views from the summits were lovely. The visitor center also is a great resource... including water, sun lotion and volunteers who recommend hikes... as well as exhibits with expanded information about the park and general area.
Written April 4, 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.
Janet L
San Diego, CA60 contributions
Jun 2018
Kumeyaay Campground is open and the sites are adjacent to a bike path that will take you through the hills down to the Visitor Center and back for a great morning before you hike the nature trail and have a campfire back at camp. Learn about local plant and animal life, have an easy campout experience in the heart of San Diego, and get away from the city all at the same time. Because you can be home Sunday night in a matter of minutes makes this the best campground in Southern California.
Written March 16, 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.
Yes, but cleaning up after your dog is required
Written June 17, 2018
are there any paved paths or easy flat trails to push a toddler in a stroller? Not a jogger stroller, but a traditional small collapsable stroller.
Written August 4, 2016
Yes there are. You can walk from the visitors center to the other side of mission hills (Santee) it's flat & paved. Or park in the lots in Santee (not paved) and walk to the paved road that will end up at the visitors center. It's a very nice walk. There is a stream/San Diego river you walk by. Have always felt safe
Written September 4, 2016
It will probably be the trail near the Old Mission Dam hike, I don't recall the name of it but you can't miss it if you're at the dam.
Written June 27, 2016
How do I get there using public transportation from Old Town Station in San Diego?
Written January 24, 2015
Sorry that this is late, but we just got done visiting. You'd want to either use the green line of the trolley car system (which really is more of a subway or monorail type of system!) to Santee, and change over to metro transit with the bus (I forget which number bus line) at the San Diego State University stop. The transit system in San Diego is one of the best in the country (if not the world) and very easy to utilize!
Written May 10, 2017
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