Los Penasquitos Canyon North San Diego city

Los Pe�asquitos Canyon Preserve is used by lots of hikers and bicyclists. The preserve's 3000 acres of San Diego city and county-owned open-space stretch for almost seven miles between Interstates 5 and 15, encompassing much of Los Pe�asquitos Creek.

Start at the parking lot on the west side of Black Mountain Road, opposite Mercy Road. There are facilities for horses, ties and water. Entrance currently is $1. From the staging area follow the main dirt road hugging the base of the canyon's steep, chaparral-covered south slopes. Mile posts along the roadside help you gauge your progress. You wind in and out of dense oak woodlands (draped with poison oak in places) and across meadows. If you prefer loops there are multiple locations where you can cross the river for the return trip. If you cross the river and return on the north side follow signs to the adobie and cross there. The water is wider though not deeper at the adobe crossing.

Note: they close the trails for a couple of days after a good rain

See Pe�asquitos.pdf for map

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