17 places to enjoy the outdoors in San Diego County

San Diego County is an ideal place for lovers of the outdoors, with the ocean, bays and lakes to enjoy in addition to mountains, valleys and desert and forest landscapes.

Trails and pathways meander throughout all of it, inviting locals and visitors to get out into nature for birding, camping, sunbathing and observing fascinating trees and plants. There’s also all kinds of public parks to explore, and of course, famous beaches all along the coast.

To make a list of all these options could end up as a whole book, so instead, this guide contains 17 options for enjoying the region’s incredible weather and scenery.

San Diego has no shortage of coastal walking and running paths, but you won’t want to miss the Coronado Island Loop. The paved path takes you from Tidelands Park on the eastern side of the island, past the Coronado Golf Course, ferry landing, Sunset Park and Hotel Del Coronado before concluding under the Coronado Bridge near where you started. While this loop doesn’t go around the entire circumference of the island (since more than half of the island is operated by the U.S. Navy), it makes for a nice 6-mile path with views of the ocean and some of Coronado’s most famous landmarks. 2000 Mullinex Drive, Coronado.

It takes just about an hour to drive from central San Diego to the Cuyamaca Mountains, so why not take advantage of the close proximity for some hiking or camping? Head to either Paso Picacho or Green Valley campgrounds, both located off State Route 79 in the heart of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The state park is home to pine and oak woodlands as well as creeks and inviting meadows. parks.ca.gov/667

Stretching across 5 acres, the Edwin and Frances Hunter arboretum at Palomar College is a trove of trees and plants from around the world. The arboretum was established back in 1973 and was recently renovated to replace stairs around the space with smooth pathways to ensure accessibility. Placards are placed next to each plant containing identifying information about each species. Several plants in the arboretum were donated from botanical gardens around California, such as the L.A. Arboretum and the San Diego Zoological Society. 1140 West Mission Road, San Marcos. palomar.edu/arboretum

For coastal views and time spent outside from an urban perspective, the Embarcadero is the place to be. Enjoy a walk for miles along the San Diego Bay or take a seat at any of the breezy restaurants to watch the boats going by. For more time outside, there’s space for picnics at Waterfront Park or either of the parks behind the San Diego Convention Center. There are also several places to rent bikes in the area to get some exercise. portofsandiego.org/wow/explore-embarcadero

The top of Iron Mountain offers views of nearby Mount Woodson, all of San Diego County and even the Catalina Islands if you go on a clear day. It offers one of the most popular hikes in San Diego and it’s easy to see why. It’s a moderate 5.9-mile out-and-back trail that winds its way alongside and behind the peak, steadily gaining elevation until you reach the 2,700-foot summit. At times rocky and washed out, it’s recommended to wear hiking shoes or boots. The trailhead can be found on state Route 67 near Poway Road.

For an experience in the Land of the Rising Sun, visit the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Inside this attraction you will see a vast bonsai collection, native flowers from Japan, a dry stone garden, koi ponds and water features. This garden is designed with paved walkways going up and down its various installations and is modeled to represent its sister city Yokohama, Japan. It also has a tea pavilion with over 40 tea options. 2215 Pan American Road East, San Diego. niwa.org

Kate Sessions, considered the “Mother of Balboa Park,” left her mark on San Diego planting hundreds of trees in the 19th and 20th centuries — as well as introducing jacaranda, bougainvillea and bird of paradise to the city. Since 1957, this Pacific Beach park with panoramic views of San Diego has donned her name. The 79-acre green space is perched on a hillside overlooking Mission Bay, the ocean and, in the distance, downtown. 5115 Soledad Road, San Diego.

The recreational area at Lake Poway offers boating, archery, fishing and more. Pedal boats can carry multiple people and offer great views from the water without requiring much experience with boats. From Lake Poway, you can see peaceful picnic table-covered lawns and hills in almost every direction. There are also multiple hiking trails and a concessions stand beside the lake selling food, drinks and bait. 14644 Lake Poway Road, Poway. poway.org/401/Lake-Poway

Fishing, hiking, hunting and picnicking are some of the many options you have when visiting the Lower Otay Reservoir. You can enjoy the lake in boats, canoes and floating tubes. There are picnic tables, barbecue areas, water fountains and restrooms as well, plus you can have your dogs unleashed. 1500 Wueste Road, Chula Vista. sandiego.gov/reservoirs-lakes/lower-otay-reservoir

This one-mile trail offers a respite from the city while still being close to downtown’s attractions. It can be accessed from a trailhead near the entrance of the pedestrian bridge on Quince Street or on Curlew Street near West Maple Street. Once there, you’ll venture down a semi-steep path before walking under the Quince Street Bridge and making your way through the canyon.

Soak up the sun at Oma’s, a kid-friendly local family farm that provides a pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm during the holidays, and outdoor activities all year. There’s a corn pit, giant slides, a trike track, playgrounds, gem mining and more. After a day of fun, you can grab a bite to eat at the farm’s coffee shop OmaGoodness Coffee. Tickets can be purchased online only before your visit. 14919 El Monte Road, Lakeside. omasfamilyfarm.com

Located in Kit Carson Park, Queen Califia’s Magical Circle is an eccentric sculpture garden full of color and personality. Two giant snake sculptures are perched atop the black-and-white tiled maze entryway, which opens into the main courtyard area featuring nine freestanding sculptures. At the center of this courtyard lies a sculpture of Queen Califia herself, perched atop a five-legged bird. The garden was one of the last projects designed by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who drew inspiration from the fictional queen of California named Califia. 3333 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido. escondido.org/queen-califias-magical-circle

With the bay and Coronado to the west and the downtown skyline, marina and San Diego Convention Center to the east, the meticulously designed Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is striking from the ground, sea and air. It is likely the only outdoor concert venue operated by any American orchestra (San Diego Symphony) at which members of the public can freely walk, jog, bike or skate around the entire site on a public promenade, day or night. The venue opened with a goal of showcasing the orchestra and offering a more diversified lineup of concerts. 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. theshell.org

On a regular day at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, you can go camping, boating, enjoy a playground and more. Santee Lakes boasts a lineup of approximately 230 different species of birds throughout the year, so bird lovers have plenty to see. Its seven lakes are stocked with rainbow trout and other seasonal fish for those interested in casting a line, and you can also plan a picnic or take a walk around the lake.

9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee. santeelakes.com

Sunset is a popular time to walk along this coastal path. Because it’s flat, relatively short and beautifully distracting, it’s a good starting point for hiking newbies and small children (just make sure not to let them wander off). It’s about a 1-mile coastal walk that’s mostly flat, but it can be extended to Ocean Beach or inland Point Loma. Inside Sunset Cliffs Park, there are dirt trails where you can keep hiking and exploring. There are steps down to the ocean and tide pools at Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Ladera Street. Check the tides and beware of slippery rocks and unstable cliffs. sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/regional/shoreline/sunset

The Pacific Ocean is the backdrop for all the trails in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, so it’s difficult to pick a wrong hike. Start with the 0.8-mile Guy Fleming Trail, which hugs the cliff line and presents sweeping views of the sea. For something longer, try the Broken Hill Trail, a roughly 2.5-mile loop that overlooks the ocean and sandstone bluffs. To access the hikes, park at the Torrey Pines Beach parking lot or the reserve’s parking lot, then walk up the hillside on the left to the trail network. 12600 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. torreypine.org

Balboa Park’s Trees for Health arboretum spans over 3.5 acres and is home to a variety of greenery from around the world. A dirt pathway cuts through the garden, winding around the trees. From the healing properties of a Willow Bark tree to the antiviral strengths of Juniper, every plant in the Trees for Health garden has medicinal properties. Located in the northwest part of Balboa Park next to Balboa Drive near Quince Drive. balboapark.org/parks-trails-gardens-type/gardens