San Diego Hike Report: Dust Devil Nature Trail

[BBQ-Nut]

I thought I'd share my adventuring in the San Diego area for hikes and trails as an on-going ER posting.

Maybe those in the SD area can share their thoughts, maybe those thinking of visiting SD can use the info to base some of their excursions in our wonderful city.

I'm using my time in FIRE to just search around for areas I've never been to, some I have, and capture some pics and thoughts on the outing.

So far it has been great!

The first here is my most recent from today, June 1, 2015.

Name: Dust Devil Nature Trails

Location: East off the I-5 freeway at Via De La Valle and El Camino Real Rd. Just east of Del Mar

Description: Coastal Wetland Preserve, open space. There are 3 'loop' trails that are flat, but no shade - it is all open exposed trails. Depending on the weather you will get a nice cool coastal breeze even if the sun is out like today. You will get the whiff of stables from nearby horse farms (it is close to the Del Mar race tracks across the I-5)

Difficulty: Easy

Experience: This was easy to find off of Via De La Valle past some impressive horse farms and fancy houses. Turn right onto El Camino Real "south" and go a mile or so and the driveway to the parking area is on the right.

The trails are groomed/maintained and flat. Not much to see 'on' the trails though. The left most loop is more for walking the dog and was the least interesting of the 3 loops. The center loop does go out to an overlook area looking down into a marsh area which is kind of pretty. I saw some ducks and cranes in the water - but that was from a distance. The trails really don't get you close to the water. And there are signs and fences to "Keep Out" as it is a wildlife preserve.

There was a nice coastal breeze to keep things cool and overall the vista was nice. It is along the I-5 Freeway and you are constantly reminded of that with the incessant traffic noise.

Other wildlife included lizards and very large jack rabbits the size of small dogs!

I was able to walk all 3 loops in about an hour and that included stopping along the way to just stop and look and snap some pictures.

It is one of the few remaining coastal wetland preserves, so it is worth visiting once. What I would do is build a day adventure out of this by linking in the trail as a late morning hike, then head on Via De La Valle across the I-5 to have lunch at the Seafood Market and then on to Solana Beach to walk the art/shopping district and then maybe a drive down to Torrey Pines to watch the afternoon surf and sunset.

ER Trail Rating: 2.5

Pictures at
Index of /Pictures/SD-trails/Dust-Devil

[rodi]

I have to admit - I didn't know about those trails. I've stuck to the familiar in my retirement. Since I live in UC - I do a lot of hiking in Rose Canyon and San Clemente canyon. Plus my walks at La Jolla Shores.

When I was working, our offices backed up to Barnes and Lopez Canyons (part of the PQ canyon preserve.) We'd usually walk the rim - cutting through parking lots where necessary to make the walk long enough. My runner/coworkers would run down into the canyon.

I've gone with friends up the top of Mt. Woodson. Nice views and good boulders to scramble on if you like rock climbing.

And a favorite mountain bike spot is Mission Trails - runs between Del Serro and Santee - lots of open canyon space. I see a lot of hikers there also.

But like I said - I'm pretty boring... You'll find me walking at La Jolla shores in the wee hours of the morning most days.

[BBQ-Nut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodi I have to admit - I didn't know about those trails. I've stuck to the familiar in my retirement. Since I live in UC - I do a lot of hiking in Rose Canyon and San Clemente canyon. Plus my walks at La Jolla Shores. When I was working, our offices backed up to Barnes and Lopez Canyons (part of the PQ canyon preserve.) We'd usually walk the rim - cutting through parking lots where necessary to make the walk long enough. My runner/coworkers would run down into the canyon. I've gone with friends up the top of Mt. Woodson. Nice views and good boulders to scramble on if you like rock climbing. And a favorite mountain bike spot is Mission Trails - runs between Del Serro and Santee - lots of open canyon space. I see a lot of hikers there also. But like I said - I'm pretty boring... You'll find me walking at La Jolla shores in the wee hours of the morning most days.

I didn't know about the Dust Devil Nature Trails until yesterday - just poking around on different websites for 'local' trails.

But thought I'd share the info here.

I'll post up different trails/areas in the future.

[Accidental Retiree]

Thanks for a good day trip suggestion. I am looking for something nearby in SoCal to replace my favorite Half Moon Bay walk. This might be it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ-Nut I thought I'd share my adventuring in the San Diego area for hikes and trails as an on-going ER posting. Maybe those in the SD area can share their thoughts, maybe those thinking of visiting SD can use the info to base some of their excursions in our wonderful city. I'm using my time in FIRE to just search around for areas I've never been to, some I have, and capture some pics and thoughts on the outing. So far it has been great! The first here is my most recent from today, June 1, 2015. Name: Dust Devil Nature Trails Location: East off the I-5 freeway at Via De La Valle and El Camino Real Rd. Just east of Del Mar Description: Coastal Wetland Preserve, open space. There are 3 'loop' trails that are flat, but no shade - it is all open exposed trails. Depending on the weather you will get a nice cool coastal breeze even if the sun is out like today. You will get the whiff of stables from nearby horse farms (it is close to the Del Mar race tracks across the I-5) Difficulty: Easy Experience: This was easy to find off of Via De La Valle past some impressive horse farms and fancy houses. Turn right onto El Camino Real "south" and go a mile or so and the driveway to the parking area is on the right. The trails are groomed/maintained and flat. Not much to see 'on' the trails though. The left most loop is more for walking the dog and was the least interesting of the 3 loops. The center loop does go out to an overlook area looking down into a marsh area which is kind of pretty. I saw some ducks and cranes in the water - but that was from a distance. The trails really don't get you close to the water. And there are signs and fences to "Keep Out" as it is a wildlife preserve. There was a nice coastal breeze to keep things cool and overall the vista was nice. It is along the I-5 Freeway and you are constantly reminded of that with the incessant traffic noise. Other wildlife included lizards and very large jack rabbits the size of small dogs! I was able to walk all 3 loops in about an hour and that included stopping along the way to just stop and look and snap some pictures. It is one of the few remaining coastal wetland preserves, so it is worth visiting once. What I would do is build a day adventure out of this by linking in the trail as a late morning hike, then head on Via De La Valle across the I-5 to have lunch at the Seafood Market and then on to Solana Beach to walk the art/shopping district and then maybe a drive down to Torrey Pines to watch the afternoon surf and sunset. ER Trail Rating: 2.5 Pictures at Index of /Pictures/SD-trails/Dust-Devil