5 Easy San Diego Hikes to Tackle This Summer

Perhaps the biggest challenge you've envisioned for yourself this summer is finally taking less than an hour to pick the next movie you want to watch on Netflix. 

We understand.

But how about trying something a little more challenging, but which feels about as good in the end as hanging out on the couch all day? We're talking about chasing waterfalls.

The Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is home to a beautiful waterfall, and is the site of one of San Diego County's "hidden gem" hikes. It's one of five hikes recommended by the county, and not so difficult that you'll be wiped out afterwards.

Here are five easy hikes, as recommended by the county, for you to try this summer. Let us know your favorite trails in the comments:

Los Peñasquitos Canyon
City: San Diego
Hike length: 4.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Check out waterfalls, river views and other great scenery, all without heart-failure-inducing elevation changes. Perfect for a nice stroll, Los Peñasquitos makes for an awesome family hike.   

William Heise County Park
City: Julian
Hike length: 10.75 total
Difficulty: Various
You’ll find a wide variety of trails at William Heise County Park. At more than 4,000 feet above sea level, the 929-acre park truly has a mountainous, forested feel. This park is so pretty, hikers want to camp out there, literally! Cabins, campsites, restrooms, showers are all available but call ahead to make sure they haven’t been reserved. 

Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve
City: Poway
Hike length: 10 miles total
Difficulty: Various
Discover more than 10 miles of trails, grand vistas and abundant wildlife. Find out how people lived there in the past and how the Open Space Preserve came back from the devastating 2003 wildfires.

San Elijo Lagoon Preserve
City: Encinitas
Hike Length: 6 miles total
Difficulty: Easy
Not only is San Elijo Lagoon one of the few remaining coastal wetlands in San Diego County, the mix of ocean water and fresh water creates a diverse habitat that is home to more than 300 species of plants and 300 species of birds.  

Wilderness Gardens Open Space Preserve
City: Pala
Hike Length:  4 miles 
Difficulty:  easy to moderate
Wilderness Gardens Preserve is the oldest County parks open space preserve and was acquired in 1973. The trails are located in the San Luis Rey River watershed and one trail meanders along the river. The Wilderness Gardens Preserve is known as a birdwatcher’s paradise so remember to take your binoculars.