This morning I joined a Meetup Group in Spokane for a hike.

Today’s adventure was a repeat hike up Cowles Mountain, over to Pyles Peak, and back.

Cowles Mountain

The temperature started rising, the clouds over the mountains burned off early, and except for the haze in the distance, it was a nice day for a hike.

Pyles Peak

Cowles Mountain is the favored destination on this trail, so once you head towards Pyles Peak the crowds are left behind.

Flora and fauna

Today’s hike in Mission Trails Park took us from Mission Dam to the tops of North Fortuna (1293’) and South Fortuna (1094’) mountains. Our route up South Fortuna is known as “Stairway to Heaven” – a path rising 800’ pretty much straight up the mountain.

Flora

Views from Visitor Center. Left: North Fortuna (1) and South Fortuna (2). Right: Cowles Mountain.

I met family for breakfast in Santee, then took advantage of being next to Mast Park and hiked a new-to-me section of the San Diego River Trail.

Sea World had fireworks tonight.

Lake Murray, originally La Mesa Reservoir, was created when an earthen dam was built in 1894. Murray Reservoir Dam was completed in 1918.

Mission Trails Park includes Lake Murray and also Cowles Mountain, to the north.

Balboa Park is home to four structures originally built for the Panama-California Exposition (1915-1916): Cabrillo (Laurel St) Bridge, California Building, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, and the Botanical Garden.

Today’s adventure took me back to Balboa Park for a stroll through Alcazar Garden and a visit to the Museum of Us located in the California Building.

Alcazar Garden

California Building

The California Tower and California Dome sit atop the California Building and are iconic San Diego landmarks.

Museum of Us

Tower Climb

My museum visit included a climb to the 8th story of the tower.

Late afternoon views of the tower, dome, and bridge.

Santee Lakes is a series of seven lakes containing reclaimed water.

Lake 1

Lake 2

Lake 3

Lake 4

Lake 5

Lake 6

Lake 7

Mount Soledad is now the home of the National Veterans Memorial.

Sights from my walk.

Today’s adventure started with a walk through the San Diego Zoo.

Then I headed to Balboa Park for December Nights – an annual two-night holiday celebration.

For December Nights the Zoo opens after hours. The bucket ride is open as are some restaurants and gift shops.

Today I joined a Meetup group for a leisurely walk through Balboa Park.

We walked through Spanish Village – a collection of art galleries.

And by the Botanical Garden which is being restored.

Those of us that stopped for lunch were caught in a rainstorm. Fortunately, I had packed an umbrella.

Today’s adventure was a hike to the top of two mountains in Mission Trails Park.

Cowles Mountain

At 1,593’, it is the highest point in the city. The staging area is 630’, so we had a good start.

Pyles Peak

Its summit (1,379’) is reached by continuing on from the summit of Cowles Mountain.

And Back

We got a few sprinkles on the way back but still had spectacular views. Round trip was just over 6 miles.

Today’s beach walk was from Torrey Pines State Park to Moonlight Beach State Park. In Encinitas. I grabbed a bus back to my car.

Torrey Pines

Del Mar

Solana Beach

Cardiff

Encinitas

Today’s Meetup outing was a walk up the beach from La Jolla Shores to Torrey Pines State Park. We met at 1:00 and returned just before sunset (4:45).

I drove to Coronado after breakfast for two Meetup events.

The first was a walking tour from the Ferry Landing to the Hotel del Coronado. We walked through residential streets and saw some interesting old houses before following the beach to the hotel.

Then we toured the grounds and part of the hotel.

We walked back on Orange Avenue, the original trolley route to the hotel.

After a late lunch and a visit to the library to recharge my phone, I met the second Meetup group to tour the hotel and enjoy the Christmas music and light show.

Old Town to Ocean Beach

Today I parked at the Morena/Linda Vista trolley station and walked the bike trail along the San Diego River to Ocean Beach.

Overall this walk was nicer than last week’s route. It parallels Highway 8 (south) and Sea World Drive (north), but has unobstructed views of the river. I suspect the trees which are prevalent further up the river cannot tolerate the salt water.

The trail ends at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach. The view of the OB Pier from here makes how long it is more apparent. At 1,971 feet, it is the longest concrete pier on the West Coast. (The wooden Oceanside Pier is 3 feet longer.)

I crossed the new Mission Bay Drive bridge and returned on the north side of the river.

I have company from out of town and today we visited some San Diego highlights.

We had breakfast in Ocean Beach then walked to the pier and along the shore.

Sunset Cliffs.

San Diego Zoo

Old Town to Qualcomm Way

Today I walked a part of the San Diego River Trail. I went through the most densely populated section of the Trail which is not very scenic.

One stretch of the Trail is up Hotel Circle North, a frontage road along Highway 8. Another low point was the Highway 163 underpass.

The rest of the trail is said to be more enjoyable. We shall see.