Hiking can be a glorious pastime in all seasons of the year in Southern California, with fantastic scenery to enjoy in almost any weather. For both novice and expert hikers, there are many different places to hike in and around Chula Vista, from nearby Mount San Miguel to Lake Morena and the Pacific Crest Trail. Check out these Chula Vista hiking trails to find out just how beautiful your home state is!
1. Mount San Miguel Park
Distance from Millenia: 10-minute drive
Around 20 acres in size, Mount San Miguel Park may be a little basic for expert hikers, but it’s perfect for walkers, and it’s a fun place to spend a family afternoon. Besides walking trails, the park offers:
- Tennis courts
- Picnic and barbecue areas
- Play equipment
- A dog park
2. Otay Lakes County Park
Distance from Millenia: 10-minute drive
The 78 acres that make up Otay Lakes County Park offer beautiful views, some great hiking, and an extensive garden of California native plants and trees. The park is located right next to Otay Lake, and the network of trails winds through the low hills to overlook the lake shore. The city plans to connect the trails with the much larger Otay Valley Regional Park in the future. Otay Lakes County Park is dog-friendly (Dogs must be leashed.), so this is a great option for owners who like to bring their pets along for hikes!
3. Rice Canyon Open Space Preserve
Distance from Millenia: 15-minute drive
Rice Canyon trail is a 3.5-mile trail ideal for hiking, walking, and running. It’s easy to get to and is a convenient distance from Chula Vista, so it makes a good addition to a regular exercise routine. There’s a small garden near the trail’s start that’s fun to explore before you get walking. The trail itself is fairly easy, with a wide, smooth path and clear signposts. It’s suitable for beginners and kids, and is bike-friendly too. Feel free to bring your pup to these dog-friendly hiking trails, as long as he stays on-leash!
4. Otay Valley Regional Park
Distance from Millenia: 20-minute drive
Otay Valley Regional Park is one of the larger parks in San Diego County and links lower Otay Lake with south San Diego Bay. The park offers miles of hiking trails, along with biking and horse trails and pleasant fishing spots. With more than 200 acres in total, there’s plenty of room to enjoy full-day hikes as well as shorter walks. Much of the park is flat, so it’s perfect for beginner hikers, families, and those who prefer to take it easy. There are dozens of points of interest around the park, including:
- Lakes and ponds
- Lookout points
- Fishing spots
- Bird-watching areas
The park is dog-friendly, but dogs must be leashed at all times.
5. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park
Distance from Millenia: 20-minute drive
This extensive park of more than 500 acres offers a wide range of activities. Sweetwater Summit Regional Park has about 15 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, bike riding, and horseback riding, as well as:
- Camping areas
- Picnic tables and pavilions
- A splash park for kids
- Play areas
- Fishing spots at Sweetwater Reservoir
- A 13-station exercise course
The trails include both flat areas and sections of mild to moderate incline, with paths through hills, open grasslands, lakes, and streams, and views of the nearby reservoir.
6. Tijuana River Valley Regional Park
Distance from Millenia: 20-minute drive
Tijuana River Valley Regional Park is a huge open space of more than 1,800 acres, including 22.5 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, bike riding, and horseback riding. The park is so large that there are a number of different habitats to explore, from coastal scrubland to dense riverside forests—plenty to keep even seasoned hikers engaged.
Birdwatchers love this park too, as more than 340 different native and visitor species can be seen in the park at different times of year. The park also has a dedicated Bird and Butterfly Garden, with plants and trees chosen to attract a dazzling array of species, as well as a community garden.
Want to attract butterflies to your outdoor space at Millenia? Check out our patio garden ideas!
Tijuana River Valley Regional Park is dog-friendly, as long as dogs are leashed at all times.
7. Balboa Park
Distance from Millenia: 30-minute drive
With landmarks such as Cabrillo Bridge and the California Tower, not to mention the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park has a huge range of fun activities that could keep you occupied for days. There are also some fantastic places to simply walk and enjoy the outdoors. Take your canine friend along to Nate’s Point Dog Park, a 2.3-acre park that’s well-loved by both dogs and humans! Wander the gorgeous Alcazar Garden, then explore the fascinating sculptures in the grounds of the San Diego Museum of Modern Art. Take a walk through Palm Canyon, home to dozens of unique palm species, and enjoy the 12-acre Japanese Friendship Garden, which features bonsai trees, a koi pond, and peaceful pathways.
There are over 50 miles of hiking trails to enjoy too, all different lengths. Check out the full list here, if you’d like to plan your choices before you visit!
8. Lake Morena County Park
Distance from Millenia: 1-hour drive
This county park is centered around beautiful Lake Morena, a particularly popular fishing spot that is also great for hiking and camping. In addition to a number of prime fishing holes, the park has:
- Around eight miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding
- Campsites and wilderness cabins
- An open-air pavilion
- A playground
- A TRACK trail designed especially to provide adventure activities for younger hikers
9. The Pacific Crest Trail
Distance from Millenia: 1-hour drive
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is one of the country’s best-known hiking trials, and Millenia residents are lucky enough to live within a stone’s throw of Lake Morena, which is adjacent to a section of the trail. In its entirety, the PCT extends over 2,650 miles from Canada to Mexico, running through Washington, Oregon, and California in between. While a few intrepid adventurers complete every mile of this amazing experience, most hikers travel only a few miles on the Pacific Crest. Whatever you decide to do, it’s an adventure you’ll remember!
How to Get to the Pacific Crest Trail
From Birch Road, get on CA-125 N, then merge onto I-8 E. Take Exit 51 for Buckman Springs Road. Turn right onto Oak Drive, then right onto Lake Morena Drive. The trail starts at the parking lot where Lake Morena Drive intersects with Lake Shore Drive.
In our part of Southern California, the PCT passes through Lake Morena County Park and the Laguna Mountains. To start on the trail, park in the parking lot on Lake Morena Drive, where it intersects with Lake Shore Drive. The trail heads south for around three miles, intersects with Morena Reservoir Road, then heads north back to the parking lot. This six-mile round trip makes a great day hike and is a good way to get started hiking the Pacific Crest Trail!
Miles of Outdoor Adventures Await in Chula Vista and Beyond
People of all ages and fitness levels can have a great time on these Chula Vista hiking trails. With so many popular hiking trails within a quick drive of Millenia, adventures await you any time the mood strikes. To learn more about hiking in and around Chula Vista, check out the Easy2Hike app from San Diego P&R, or read user reviews and other info at alltrails.com!
Don’t feel like driving and need a little outdoor time? Check out Stylus Park at Millenia. It’s perfect for a stroll or a round of lawn games with the family!