Balboa Park - Located in the heart of San Diego, Balboa Park is directly accessible from the following streets and Highways; 163 North, 6th Avenue, Park Boulevard, Pershing Drive and Florida Street. For more information please visit......... http://www.sddt.com/features/balboapark/index.html
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Corrizo Gorge - Located just to the east of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Corrizo Gorge is an abandoned railroad right of way that runs a circuitous course through an awesome mountain gorge. Attractions include the scenery, the world's highest wooden railroad trestle bridge, wrecked boxcars and one great day hike. Hike length is roughly 10 miles roundtrip. Bring lots of water and only attempt this hike between the months of December and April to avoid the worst of the desert heat.
To get to Corrizo Gorge, Go East on highway 8 all the way to Ocotillo. At Ocotillo, get on S-2 (it only goes Northwest). Proceed on S-2 into the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park until you reach mile marker 56 (mile markers will be on left). This marks the Mortrero Wash. Follow the Mortrero Wash road (southwest) across the moonlike landscape (@ 4 miles) until you see a railroad track. Take the road that parallels the tracks to the right (north) until the tracks swing to the east. Get out of your truck (cars can't make the journey) and start hiking up the tracks to the north and then west. Allow at least 6 hours for this hike (and 2 more hours to drive there). Bringing a lunch is good. The path runs uphill on a 2% grade there and downhill on the return.
Check out the Corrizo Gorge expeditions Photo Page
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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - Located just over the line into Imperial County on Highway 8 at Ocotillo. You take S-2 Northwest there and everything you see after the first mile and for the next 100 or so will be the park. It contains many interesting things such as the old Butterfield Stage Line route, the Corrizo Badlands, Indian artifacts, extensive backcountry roads, an ORV area and more. For better information covering all the attractions of this magical place, please use the following link to go to the official homepage for
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People's Wall - Located directly on the shore behind the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla (700 Prospect Street), a very cool place in itself. Excellent long traverses and climb scenery that cannot be beat.
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Sunset Cliffs Tidepools - Some pre-requisites for this activity are that you only go on days with a negative tide (tide charts are available free at most fishing shops or see below) and that you either purchase aqua-socks or wear an old pair of sneakers to protect your feet. Also, bring water as there is only salt there and use the restroom before going as facilities are not available. Also, the area is a state park so you may not harm or remove the wildlife. For info on tides for the next two weeks go to........ http://www.catalina.org/goodies/tides.htm
To get to these tidepools, go west on highway 8 to the Nimitz Blvd/Sea World drive intersection. Turn left here keeping to the right in order to catch Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Follow Sunset Cliffs all the way to the end (roughly 3 miles), park. You will find a stairway down to the shore there. Go down the stair and proceed south along the beach for the best spots. Note: Arriving an hour or so before the time of the low tide (mean low tide) ensures that you are there to enjoy the lowest part of the tide.
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Mt. Woodson - One heck of a day hike. Gives uphill and downhill a whole new meaning. Water and possibly kneebraces are required. Just drive up highway 67north from 8 toward Ramona. As you crest the path and see a valley opening up directly in front of you, the boulder strewn mountain with all the antennas is Mt. Woodson. Find a legal place to park and look for the path up on the north side of 67.
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Carveacre Road (Lawson and Gaskill Peaks) - A five mile total hike that can (on the way up) seem like 30. Water, lunch, a packed jacket, reasonable anti-mountain lion precautions and about 7 hours are needed for this hike. The whole route is Mtn. Bike friendly if you are so inclined (which shortens the required time by about half).
To get to Carveacre road, go east on Highway 8 to the Japatul Road exit. Get off there and go south to the Lyons Valley Road intersection. Do not turn here. Bear to the right staying on Japatul Road. Go about a mile until you see a sign on the left for Carveacre Road, turn left. The road is paved for about the first 100 yards and then becomes graded dirt. This road has many turn-offs, keep on Carveacre Road. Eventually, Carveacre will swing to the west and on your left will be a ridge on which is visible a dirt fire road going up the side in a switchback. This is your goal. Park your vehicle where the fireroad comes out onto Carveacre Road. Park well off the road to allow free passage for the residents and emergency equipment. Be careful not to drive on anyone's' landscaping. Proceed up the fireroad to begin the hike.