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Hiking, Climbing & Beyond
Most of San Diego’s trails are pedestrian-only, so hikers have limitless options to go off the beaten track. The essential must-have resource for would-be wanderers is Jerry Schad’s "Afoot and Afield in San Diego County" (Wilderness Press) with detailed descriptions of hundreds of hikes from the Coast to the Desert, from the Mountains to the Mexican Border. A popular urban hike is the Torrey Pines State Reserve from the bluffs down to the beach and back. In Cuyamaca try the climb to the top of Stonewall Peak or a dip in the swimming holes at Green Valley Falls. The Palm Canyon Nature Trail in Borrego is a perfect choice for spring when temperatures are mild and the wildflowers are in bloom. You can rent and ride horses at ranches throughout San Diego.
Rock Climbing San Diego doesn’t have high mountains or big walls, but we’ve got some of the finest bouldering this side of Joshua Tree. Most of the rock is nice grippy granite, and the approaches are within easy walking distance of the parking areas. Looming on San Diego’s eastern horizon is the boulder infested peak of Mt. Woodson, with more than 100 rated routes in the 10’-20’ range that are ideal for soloing. Mission Gorge, at the upper end of the San Diego River Valley, is a great one-pitch, top-rope climb, within minutes of downtown. A favorite of clubs and classes, plan to get there early on weekends to lay claim to the prime lines. There are several indoor climbing gyms in town and a favorite workout is a traverse of an old stone seawall overlooking the beach near the Children’s Pool in La Jolla.
Going Way OffIf surfing and skating and motorbiking aren't radical enough for you, there are other unique ways to get your thrills in San Diego. Try scuba diving with great white sharks at Guadalupe Island or exploring the 300 foot wreck of The Yukon off Mission Beach. It's a Bird...At the Torrey Pines Glider Port in La Jolla, you can launch off the cliff in a hang-glider and soar 300 feet above the surf. There are auto races at the El Cajon Speedway and Rodeos in Ramona. Or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, you can sample the super hot salsa at a local Mexican food restaurant. If it's hard core, you’ll find it here in San Diego.
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Going Offroad
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