Hidden Hike, Huge View

Hike to a huge view at Luelf Pond County Preserve in San Diego County

11.02.2022

Luelf Pond County Preserve is just a 5-mile drive away from Dos Picos Regional Park and is a hidden treasure in its own right. This 90-acre park (street parking only) is home to a 1.5-mile (out-and-back) trail with huge rewards. While the pond is likely dry, the trail starts under a dense oak woodland.

Hiker going buy Luelf Pond entrance sign in northern San Diego County

Hiker looking out to view at Luelf Pond County Preserve in northern San Diego County

There are plenty of interpretive signs to read about local ecology before you reach a Y-junction. To the left dead-ends at the border with the Cañada de San Vicente Ecological Reserve (not open to the public), so head right, up the steep ascent, climbing over 300 feet in under a mile. 

Hiker on trail at Luelf Pond County Preserve

While the trail is narrow and overgrown, there are plenty of boulders for much-needed stops during the climb. At the top, you’ll want plenty of time to sit and enjoy the expansive views of the valley to the south.

Return the way you came.

Hiker on a trail at Luelf Pond County Preserve in northern San Diego County

BONUS WINE: Enjoy some of the local wineries post-hike.

Take the I-15 to the Poway Rd. exit and head east. After 8.9 miles, turn left onto the CA-67 and after 6.1 miles, turn right onto Dye Rd. After 1 mile, turn right onto Southern Oaks Rd. and after another mile, turn right onto Willow Oaks Dr., which deposits you at the preserve and street parking. Dog-friendly!

Story and photos by Matt Pawlik, @mattitudehikes

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

    View

  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View

  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

    View

  2. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

    View