Surprise Views

Surprise! These three hikes in North San Diego County are not only less traveled, they're filled with outdoor gems like Torrey pines, sandstone formations, wildlife, and vantage points with huge views.

Week: 01.12.2022
Regions: Southern CA

Daley Inspiration

Hike Boulder Loop at Daley Ranch in North San Diego County

Hiker on a trail at Daley Ranch at North San Diego County
Hiker on a trail going past boulders at Daley Ranch in Escondido North San Diego County
Hiker at bench site overlooking mountains at Escondido Ranch in North San Diego County
Phenomenal views? Check. Impressive geology? Check again. Secret ponds? Yep! Sprinkle in a historic home and you’ve got a 5-mile highlight hike at Daley Ranch in Escondido.
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Mix Things Up in Oxnard

Winter Adventures in Oxnard

hiker on Channel Islands
fox on Channel Islands
women hiking on Channel Islands
By land, by sea, by taco trail—Oxnard in Ventura County hits its stride in winter. The golden beaches are uncrowded, and surfers find their bliss in the curling waves.
Oxnard Vacation Guide

Encinitas Ranch

Hike at Encinitas Ranch for Mountain and Sea Views in San Diego County

A hiker surveys the sandstone formation and distant mountain views at Encinitas Ranch in North San Diego County
A woman walks by a cactus covered trailside at Encinitas Ranch in North San Diego County
Dog statue at vista point in Encinitas Ranch San Diego County
Beautiful Torrey pines, striking sandstone bluffs, mountain and ocean vistas ... find these trademark San Diego features on an unassuming suburban hike at Encinitas Ranch in North San Diego County.
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Manchester Hidden Gem

Hike a hidden gem at Manchester Preserve in San Diego County

Hiker staring out at mountainous views in Manchester Preserve North San Diego County
A hiker walks past the sign for Manchester Preserve in North San Diego County
A hiker walks up to a heart shaped rock formation at Manchester Preserve in North San Diego County
A woman sits at a bench overlooking vast green scenery at Manchester Preserve in San Diego County
Hike a hidden gem in San Diego County: Manchester Preserve is a 123-acre canyon with a winding trail network best explored on a 2.25-mile perimeter loop.
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Trending Stories NorCal

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  1. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

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  2. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

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  3. Easiest Best Hike in the World

    Choose the easiest and most view-rewarding hike in Yosemite. Okay, we’ll go first: the combination of hiking to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point. Both of these lookouts are within a couple miles of each other on Glacier Point Road

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  4. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

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Trending Stories SoCal

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  1. Locals' Feature: Jim Litchfield, Owner of Reno Fly Shop

    If there's a river, you're likely to find Jim Litchfield there. As the owner of Reno Fly Shop, Nevada's premier fly fishing outfitter and shop, Jim's passion for rivers knows no bounds: he's fished in places near and far, including Alaska, Bolivia and Christmas Island. But home is beautiful Reno, where he has been running Reno Fly Shop and leading tailored river float and fly fishing adventures (including beginner-friendly options) for over a decade.

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  2. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

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  3. Volcanic Activity

    Northern California is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the country: Lassen Volcanic National Park. The region features geothermal areas, including the largest dome volcano in the world, Lassen Peak. Hike to the top of this active volcano on a 5-mile out-and-back.  

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  4. Oh Ryan

    Sure, it’s those whimsical trees that give Joshua Tree National Park its marquee billing; but this beautiful landscape also has surrounding mountains and its night sky—one of the darkest in Southern California and designated an International Dark Sky Park. Joshua Tree has four allowable stargazing parking lots, and a newly opened haven for spending the night nearby...

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