By Alec Fernandes
The purpose of this blog is to expose the unique balance of urban and suburban living in northern San Diego. Despite the urban aspects of downtown San Diego slowly creeping northward through its suburbs, there still remain several sanctuaries for nature lovers around this part of town. It’s a great area for people seeking easily accessible outdoor recreation in a big city.
The geography of northern San Diego consists mostly of high mesas separated by wide canyons that are ideal for hiking. There are plenty of routes to explore in each canyon due to the many “finger trails” that stem off the main path.
I recommend those going for a bike ride to visit the trail in San Clemente Canyon that runs eastward from the entrance on Genesee Ave. The terrain of this long stretch varies from flat in the beginning to hilly and challenging toward the end.
I also enjoy walking or riding my bike westward through Rose Canyon, which is also accessible via Genesee Ave. about a mile north up the road from the San Clemente Canyon entrance. The north side of the canyon has steep hills and is a great trail for cardio workouts. The south side is extremely flat and can be easily traversed right up to the base of Mt. Soledad.
The ocean isn’t the only body of water to exercise by in this city. Lake Miramar is a serene spot in northern San Diego with a paved five mile trail around its perimeter that makes it a pleasant area for biking.
The west side of this elevated lake drops off dramatically, offering a beautiful view of Mt. Soledad and the University City skyline in the distance. To get to this spot take the I-15 to Mira Mesa Blvd. and go east. Turn right when the road ends at Scripps Ranch Blvd. and then turn left onto Scripps Lake Dr.
San Diego’s scenic beauty doesn’t stop at the coast, so put on your hiking shoes and explore this city’s inland wildlife for a change.
