Hike:
Daley Ranch, Escondido 

Location: Take the “El Norte” exit from I-15 and head east on El Norte Parkway. Cross Centre City Pkwy, Broadway and North Ash St. Continue driving and take a left on La Honda Dr. (There will be signs for Dixon Lake Reservoir and Daley Ranch at the turn.) Continue to end. Parking lot and park entrance is on the left.

Free parking (fills early on weekends) and free admission to the Ranch.

Difficulty level: easy/intermediate/strenuous. All hiking areas have steep or slippery sections.

Distance: Various. Pick up a trail guides at the entrance.

Dog Friendly? Dogs are allowed on 8-ft. maximum leashes.

Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk.

Daley Ranch is a 3,000 acre, city owned preserve with over 20 miles of multipurpose trails for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use. Six trails cover most of the property. The most popular trails include the Boulder Loop Trail (2.4 miles) which offers outstanding views of Escondido, and the Ranch House Loop (2.5 miles), which passes two small ponds and the site of Daley’s original log cabin. For an easy/intermediate hike, start at the front gate and go straight up the gravel road. Pass the old ranch and continue straight ahead. You can loop around to the right and make your way back. There are side trails you can explore, too. Round trip is 2-3 hours, the walk is fairly easy.

The ranch is named for Robert Daley, a European settler who arrived in the valley in 1869. His original log cabin, the family’s 1928 redwood ranch house and other buildings still stand. The Ranch’s hills and valleys were frequented for centuries by the Kumeyaay, Luiseno, and other local tribes as evidenced by the soot-stained ceilings of boulder caves and the metates and morteros, holes ground into boulder tops by women who gathered to grind seeds and acorns. The preserve includes more than 400 species of wildlife.

Be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks and proper footwear. Wear layers for cool mornings. More information about Daley Ranch can be found at www.ci.escondido.ca.us. Click on Escondido A-Z and scroll down to Daley Ranch.

Free naturalist-led hikes, ranging from easy to strenuous, are offered several times each month. For information and a schedule of hikes, call the Dixon Lake Ranger Station at (760) 839-4680.

Hike:
Torrey Pines State Reserve
 Location: La Jolla/Del Mar.  From I-5, take the Carmel Valley Road exit and go west.  Turn left onto Camino Del Mar, and just as Camino Del Mar turns into North Torrey Pines Road at the foot of the hill, turn right at the park entrance.  There is an entrance fee per car, which includes access to the beach as well as to the hiking trails.  The park is open daily from 8am to sunset.  Once inside the gates, there is a road leading up the hill to the trailheads. 

 Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

 Distance: The half dozen trails range from 100 yards to a 3-mile loop.

 Dog Friendly: No.  Dogs are not permitted on the reserve or on the beach.

The hiking trails of Torrey Pines State Reserve offer gorgeous views of the ocean, Scripps pier, and La Jolla, but also reveal to you a wonderful slice of natural habitat, complete with sandstone cliffs, prickly pear cactus, and the rare Torrey Pine Trees, native only to San Diego and one other place in the world.  If you go on a weekday, near dawn, or near dusk, you may see some wildlife that are usually hidden when more people are out.  Coyotes, foxes, deer, eight species of lizards, snakes, squirrels, raccoons, skunks, ravens, peregrine falcons, and red tail hawks all live there. 

There are docent-led nature tours on weekends at 10am and 2pm, and there is a museum with cultural and nature exhibits.  No food is allowed in the park, so please eat your snack in your car or on the beach.  The park is protected by state law, and there are strict rules in place to ensure that the flowers pollinate, the animals reproduce, and our great-grandchildren have it to show their children.  This park, nestled between La Jolla (the jewel) and Del Mar (the ocean) is a great spot for hiking. Don’t forget to bring water and sun protection, especially with the reflection of the sun off the ocean.

For more information about Torrey Pines State Reserve, visit www.torreypine.org or call 858-755-2063.  You can also check out www.parks.ca.gov for information on all of the beautiful state parks in California.