Slot Canyon San Diego Hike
As we’d soon find out, the canyon is a bit more challenging than your average San Diego hike, so it’s nice to have the view point option if you’re not up to the full route. If you have a dog with you or a baby carrier, stick to the view point. Justin, Toni, and I went to see how many slot canyons we could hit in 4 hours.we hit all we could find in the area. We left at 5 am from San Diego and got back by 1 pm. This video is from the.
Whoever thought that a gorgeous, easy to hike slot canyon existed just a fraction of a mile away from California’s Interstate 5 freeway, less than a mile from the beach? Luckily for all of us, in mid-2016, this slot canyon opened for all of us to enjoy: Annie’s Canyon Trail.
Annie’s Canyon Trail
I had the chance to check out Annie’s Canyon Trail, and I highly recommend it! Annie’s Canyon Trail is a separate trail within the San Elijo Lagoon. See below for details on how to get there. There are two ways to hike the slot canyon. When you arrive at the base of the slot canyon and see the signs for Annie’s Trail, head right if you’re in the mood for an adventure! Head left if you prefer to hike up a trail to the lookout platform.
I headed right, and enjoyed the short hike/climb up the slot canyon. It is a mere 0.25 miles to hike the slot canyon, and it is a lot of fun! Beautiful sandstone walls surround you while you make the climb upward. Be prepared for some tight spots; you’ll need to use your hands to hoist yourself up in a couple of spots!
Below is a gallery of my mini adventure in San Elijo Lagoon and Annie’s Canyon Trail:
How to Get to Annie’s Canyon Trail
From the I-5 freeway, take exit 37 (Lomas Santa Fe Drive). Head west on Lomas Santa Fe Drive to N. Rios Avenue. Park at the end of the street. This takes you to a trailhead for San Elijo Lagoon. From the N. Rios Avenue Trailhead, it is approximately half a mile (one way) to Annie’s Canyon Trail.
There is another trailhead that has even closer access to Annie’s Canyon Trail, but it was closed at the time of my visit (May 2017). You take exit 37, and also head west on Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Drive a mere 0.2 miles and turn right onto Solana Hills Drive. The trailhead is at the end of the street, about 0.3 miles.
A Virtual Hike of Annie’s Trail
Spoiler alert: if you watch this video, you get to see the entire 0.25 mile slot canyon hike.
Happy trails!Mar 14, 2020 - Angela Minardi
While not technically Spring, it sure felt like it last week here in sunny San Diego with temperatures in the 70s and flowers beginning to bloom. With more than 266 days of sunshine, SD provides much needed Vitamin D and happy vibes.
What better way to get out and get active this month than a hike? There are over 125 hikes and thousands of miles of trails all over San Diego county just waiting for you to check them out for the workout and the view. Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Most Unique Trail: Annie’s Canyon
This two-mile loop trail in Solana Beach brings you through a narrow slot canyon of sand dunes and up a ladder to a beautiful view of the surrounding lagoon and ocean in the distance.
Pair it with community giveback with the REI Outdoor School:
Slot Canyon San Diego Hike
Did you know that REI gives back 70% of its Outdoor School profits to the community in which it hikes? And picks up trash along the way? These pro guides lead group experiences and are the best-of-the-best when it comes to anything outdoors.
2. Best Night Hike: Cowles Mountain
Hike the switchbacks of Cowles Mountain under the stars with a headlamp and sit at the top to check out the lights of Miramar military base, the downtown skyline and Mexico off in the distance.
Pair it with the 5-Peak Challenge:
The five peaks of Mission Trails present the perfect Challenge for you to complete. Totaling 19 miles in the park, try it out in one day or as a team-building challenge with your company. Be sure to snap a photo at the top when you're done!
3. Best Coastal Hike: Ho Chi Minh Trail
This short but steep hike in La Jolla leads into Black’s Beach, a prime surfing spot in San Diego. It’s one of the most challenging and beautiful ocean bluff hikes. Heads up - it’s also known to be a nude beach for the locals. Maybe leave the kids with the sitter for this one and take some time to rest and unwind with friends on the beach.
Pair it with beach meditation or MindTravel:
Fit City Adventures hosts headset hikes that play meditative originally composed music by Murray Hidary of MindTravel. The binaural beats put your brain into a meditative state and are perfect for a post-hike zen sesh on the beach.
4. Best Water Hike: Three Sisters or Devils Punchbowl
Nestled in the Cleveland National Forest, this four-mile out-and-back trail is most popular in the late spring when the snow begins to melt so the best time to hit it is now. Bonus - you can bring your doggie too, but they must be on a leash and great hikers. There are ropes and rock scrambles galore!
Pair it with the All Trails app:
We swear by the All Trails mobile app. It gives reviews and photos from hundreds of hikers and tells you everything you need to know before you go like waypoints and directions. You can even download the map for when you lose service.
5. Best Desert Bloom: Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge
Slot Canyon San Diego Hikers
The Anza Borrega desert is a fan favorite and March is the perfect time for this fun hike through old train tunnels and over a trestle bridge. Catch the wildflower bloom and Instagram to your heart’s delight on this seven-mile loop trail. It is not for the faint of heart as there are steep parts, scrambles and very little shade. Bring lots of water!
Pair it with a training buddy from TrailBlaze Challenge:
For longer hikes like these, we always like to bring a buddy. That’s part of the reason why we created a Fit City team for this year’s TrailBlaze Challenge, benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. We will hike 28 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail at Big Bear Lake while raising funds to make wishes come true for local children with critical illnesses. To learn more and donate to the cause, please visit Fit City Adventures' TBC page.
As you can see by the variety of San Diego hikes, we are lucky to live in such a diverse climate with fun outdoor options! Get your company together for a hike. It's a great way to help you train and take your team building event to the next level with an active twist! Now get out there and hit the trails.
Slot Canyon San Diego Hikes
About Angela Minardi:
Angela Minardi is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer at Fit City Adventures, a corporate lifestyle concierge company based in San Diego that offers team building activities ranging from leisure to adventures. Fit City’s mission is to cultivate and inspire meaningful human connections through active team building while giving back to our community. To learn more about Angela & Fit City, please visit https://fitcityadventures.com/about-us/