50 Best Short Hikes: San Diego. Jerry Schad
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main Hosp Grove Trail goes left from the top of the short hill, contouring southeast, quite high along a steep slope, through the eucalyptus forest. Not much grows here other than eucalyptus because the leaf litter from these trees poisons nearly every other type of plant. Eucalyptus branches, though, are attractive to monarch butterflies. This colorful species migrates from summer homes in the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains, arriving at Hosp Grove and about two dozen other sites around San Diego County in November.
After less than 0.5 mile, the main Hosp Grove Trail descends, turns sharply left, and returns to Hosp Grove Park alongside city streets: first Monroe Street, and then Marron Road. If you choose the path to the right at this junction, you will pass a switchback and reach the high point of the grove along Crest Drive. Situated near the Trailhead 6 sign is a rope and board swing enticingly suspended from a stout eucalyptus that may tempt your inner child. Returning back down the way you just came, go right at the first fork and continue down toward the street in front of you. Just east of here, across Monroe Street, additional trails meander amid the eucalyptus trees overlooking The Shoppes at Carlsbad. Turn left on the path paralleling Monroe Street and follow it back to the parking area where you began your hike.
TO THE TRAILHEAD
GPS Coordinates: N33º 10.648' W117º 20.501'
From the west, exit I-5 at Las Flores Drive (Exit 51A) in Carlsbad. Go west on Las Flores a short distance, then turn right on Jefferson Street. Proceed 0.6 mile to Hosp Grove Park on the right, opposite Buena Vista Lagoon.
From the east, exit CA 78 at Jefferson Street (Exit 1C), proceed south, and continue on Jefferson 0.7 mile to the Hosp Grove parking lot. Jefferson Street makes a hard right turn at 0.5 mile from the CA 78 exit, and the road that goes straight transitions into Marron Road. If you reach Monroe Street, turn around and go back 0.2 mile to make a left on Jefferson Street.
2 Guajome Regional Park
Trailhead Location: Oceanside
Trail Use: Hiking, running, biking, dog walking, horseback riding
Distance & Configuration: 4.0 miles of trails with multiple loops
Elevation Range: 100'–200'
Facilities: Restrooms and water at Main Entrance Picnic Area and Lower Entrance Picnic Area; playgrounds; developed campground (33 partial hookup sites)
Highlights: Cattail-rimmed Guajome Lake and secluded Upper Pond, freshwater marsh, nature trail, birding, overnight camping, QR Fit Trail
DESCRIPTION
Afternoon ocean breezes keep Guajome Regional Park temperate year-round, making it a popular destination for neighbors and visitors to engage in outdoors activities, including hiking, biking, or riding horseback on nearly 4 miles of trails that wind through and around this gentle coastal terrain. The park is home to a variety of native birds and animals and serves as an important rest stop for seasonal migrators. According to the park brochure, at least 186 species of birds have been recorded here.
Located 7 miles east of Oceanside and the ever-busy I-5, Guajome Regional Park features a deceptively natural setting that has been developed in various ways, going back to the California mission period. Originally inhabited by the native Luiseño Indians (so named by the padres of Mission San Luis Rey), this land was granted to two Luiseño brothers by the last governor of Mexican California in 1845. Ownership passed to several other parties before being gifted to Ysidora Bandini de Couts as a wedding present. Ysidora’s husband, Cave Johnson Couts Sr., built Rancho Guajome Adobe, located 1 mile to the east. Rancho Guajome Adobe is a National Historic Landmark operated by San Diego County Parks and provides a wonderful venue for guided or self-guided trips back in time.
In the 1950s, owner Jerry Buteyn invested in several improvements, including constructing the lake and marsh area, planting palm trees, and terracing the land. The county purchased the land in 1970 to develop the current park and put finishing touches on the setting we enjoy here today.
So put on those hiking shoes, bring along water and a snack, and see for yourself what Guajome has to offer.
THE ROUTE
Six trailheads provide access to Guajome Regional Park, but only three have convenient parking. Two of these are adjacent to day-use areas ($3 fee)—one in the Main Entrance Picnic Area off Guajome Lake Road and the second in the Lower Picnic Entrance area off North Santa Fe Avenue. Day-use parking is 9:30 a.m.–sunset. A third hiking option, as described here, starts from the Night Exit just east of the main entrance on Guajome Lake Road.
Starting from the Night Exit, turn left on Summit Trail paralleling the road. Take in the expansive views looking out over the center portion of the park. Continue east and down a slight incline to merge with Upper Pond Trail/Willow Trail 0.2 mile from the start. The area on your right features a mix of grassland and riparian vegetation consisting of native and nonnative plants. This is an excellent area to watch for raptors, such as northern harriers and red-tailed hawks, impressively soaring or dropping low in search of prey. Bring along binoculars to appreciate their aerial skills. In another 0.25 mile, the trail intersects the Luiseno Trail heading to the right. Continue straight on Upper Pond Trail to a second intersection, the start of a loop path around Upper Pond. Cattails and reeds obscure the margins of Upper Pond, providing protection and hunting opportunities for the resident critters. There are a couple of small access points around the loop. Proceed in either direction and return to the same point, then back to the Luiseno Trail junction, having traveled a little over 0.75 mile to complete the loop.
Returning to Luiseno Trail, turn left and follow it through the heart of Guajome Regional Park, coming out at the Lower Picnic Entrance in 0.6 mile. Along the way, you pass along marshy grasslands, palms, and a few relics of the irrigation system that helped create these wetlands. This is another great area for birding.
After pausing for lunch or a snack or enjoying playground time with children young and old, head back to the Luiseno Trail and proceed northerly on a wide path that crosses over small channels that bring water to the marshland in the westernmost section. Turn left in 0.125 mile to follow the Nature Trail or just beyond it on a path along the lower margins of the campground to reach Guajome Lake, 0.33 mile to the west. Once again, you can choose to go clockwise or counterclockwise around this 0.7-mile loop. The lake margins are less closed in than at Upper Pond, and several openings provide access for admiring the beauty of this oasis for humans and animals alike. Late afternoon lighting on the lake, as viewed from the west end, can be particularly attractive and a good excuse to have a camera with you.
Return to the Night Exit starting point via one of multiple footpaths from the Main Entrance Picnic Area or along Guajome Lake Road.
TO THE TRAILHEAD
GPS Coordinates: N33º 14.747' W117º 16.210'
Exit I-5 at CA 76 (Exit 54A) in Oceanside. Drive 7.4 miles east and turn right onto Guajome Lake Road. The main entrance is 0.4 mile on the right. An automated ticket machine supplies day-use tickets for $3 per vehicle. The Night Exit trailhead is another 1,000 feet east of the main entrance, also on the right.
3 Batiquitos Lagoon
Trailhead Location: South Carlsbad, just inland from the coast
Trail Use: Hiking, running, dog walking
Distance & Configuration: 2.8-mile out-and-back
Elevation Range: Basically flat, just above sea level
Facilities: Water and restrooms at the start; the nature center at the trailhead is open daily, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Highlights: Fresh coastal breezes and one of the best bird-watching opportunities in San Diego County. Bring binoculars!
DESCRIPTION