Today’s adventure was a repeat hike up Cowles Mountain, over to Pyles Peak, and back.
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.
Cowles Mountain is the favored destination on this trail, so once you head towards Pyles Peak the crowds are left behind.
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.
Today’s route took me by the bay;
Continued down the boardwalk by the ocean;
Returned to the bay, but on a new route (Quivira Basin);
Went up the north bank of the San Diego River;
And ended back at the bay.
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.
The California Tower and California Dome sit atop the California Building and are iconic San Diego landmarks.
My museum visit included a climb to the 8th story of the tower.
Late afternoon views of the tower, dome, and bridge.
Another cancelled Meetup walk lead to another Plan B – Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
It was low tide, so I was able to walk down the beach to Flat Rock and the stairway into the park.
I walked most of the trails in the park, except some short paths that connected two trails, part of one loop that was closed, and the Marsh trail (next time).
Flora and fauna
The tide had come back in when I headed to my car.
Santee Lakes is a series of seven lakes containing reclaimed water.
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.
At 1,593’, it is the highest point in the city. The staging area is 630’, so we had a good start.
Its summit (1,379’) is reached by continuing on from the summit of Cowles Mountain.
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.
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.
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
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.
My group hike was canceled so I took the ferry to Coronado to see the Hotel del Coronado and walk down the Silver Strand.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t checked the Coronado weather and it started raining not long after I passed the Hotel Del Coronado.
So, I turned around and headed back to the ferry landing. But, it cleared up some, so I walked to North Island, the Naval Base on Coronado.
By this time, it had cleared up enough (and I had dried off enough) that I decided to go for it and headed down the beach to the Silver Strand and Chula Vista.
The National City pier caught my eye and I settled on a new end point for my walk. I ended up near the Tijuana River Estuary where I called it a day and headed for home.
Fresh clam dinner – just not for me. A close look at the first two pictures reveals a clam the gull is dropping on the beach. After several drops the clam popped open and the gull had dinner.
I started the day with breakfast in Ocean Beach. The tide was high this morning.
Then I was off to Cabrillo National Monument to hike the trails.
First, I walked the coast trail.
Point Loma was critical to the defense of San Diego during World War II. Battery Ashburn is visible from the coast trail.
Then, I walked the short trails around the lighthouse.
Next, I walked the Bayside Trail.
Finally, since the tide was out, I went back down to visit the tide pools.
Saying “Yes” to Adventure 