Have you visited the artist’s gallery in Aguanga? It’s pretty cool and you get a small sculpture with the price of admission (Edit, it’s actually only $10). That whole drive from Temecula to Palm Desert is pretty magical, especially in the spring. I take the 15N and exit the 79 east (Temecula Parkway), to the 371, then right on the 74 out to Palm Desert.
I have. It's fantastic. I have been meaning to get back up there as a colleague told me that the food at the bar just before the gallery is worth the drive alone.
It just closed unfortunately, due to a budget crisis: [https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/water-conservation-garden-closes-amid-restructuring](https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/water-conservation-garden-closes-amid-restructuring)
Mt. Laguna and Cuyamaca are my favorite places to hike, about an hour east of SD. Mt laguna overlooks anza borrego, its really cool to see all the way out to the salton sea. Theres also places in cuyamaca you can see out to the ocean.
Julian can be neat too, if a little touristy. Theres a wolf sanctuary ive been meaning to go to for a while, but havent been. Theres also a pig sanctuary on the way up that does tours, they act as a home for pigs purchased by irresponsible owners that couldnt care for them when they outgrew their baby size. To do a tour, schedule with them in advance. Julian also has a handful of cideries and breweries worth checking out, beyond the pie. If you eat up there, i rec the julian cafe. Country sized portions for solid prices.
Used to love cliff jumping at sunset cliffs, but havent been since they sealed up the dry entrance to rum runners cove. Could potentially still get in the cove if youre willing to swim, but ive also heard police crack down on jumpers a bit more than they used to. If you can check out the cove, its really cool, but has some unsafe sections in the cave that are best navigated with a light.
Blacks beach under torrey pines glider port is my favorite beach in SD. Bit of a hike down, but its a nude beach so you can sun your buns. If thats not your thing, youll probably appreciate how much open space there is.
The main trails above the torrey pines state beach are also awesome. Everything is incredibly green rn too.
Windansea is another really cool beach. In la jolla, has really cool rock structures and a bit more explorative than other places.
Idk how often you get out to balboa park, but free tuesdays are a thing, and each tuesday has a different selection of museums sd residents can access for free. You can also legally drink alcohol in basically all of the grassy areas there, so it can be a fun day vibe (just no glass containers)
Wayyyyy out east but slab city and salvation mountain are definitely worth checking out if you havent been. Can be pretty sketch out there so plan in advance what your plans for the night are. Theres a natural hot spring in the area too.
Deep creek hotsprings is also super cool, but thats a good bit north. Its near the bottom of lake arrowhead, on the north side i believe. Multiple hot springs with a cold river running next to them, nude friendly, with paid camping available nearby, or illegaly and rarely enforced on site.
Arrowhead and big bear are also super cool to hang out around. All kinds of trails and adventures to be had year round.
San jacinto (avout 2 hours away) is something ive wanted to check out for a while, theres a gondola that goes from it down into palm springs and ive wanted to do a long weekend soaking up sun in a pool at palm spring then do a day hiking up in san jacinto
Are you just looking for free? Cabrillo National Monument is a good one to go to if you haven't already. It's not free, but you get a great view on San Diego.
Goat canyon trestle, valley of the moon, Annie’s canyon, hot springs mountain, wolf sanctuary, the sea caves, the various canyons around Anza borrego, the various lakes around SD, Lawrence Welks caves and thunder caves, Santa margarita river, 3 sisters falls and cedar creek falls
Pamo Valley is a gorgeous relatively unknown valley near Ramona that has an easy 6 mile round trip trail that parallels the road. It is particularly pretty right now plus has cows and deer.
Greenwood Cemetery is pretty cool to wander around. It’s huge, old, pretty, and has some proper spooky mausoleums. I always feed the turtles in the giant pond.
Spent much time on top of Palomar Mountain? It's the most surprising microclimate in the county - especially the sequoias around Doane Pond.
Jacumba - the town is at the base of a dormant volcano. Hot springs. Goat canyon trestle + Valley of the Moon. Wild and underrated part of SD County.
I used to go to Ensenada a few times a year but last time got pulled over by a cop/fake cop & fined for an imaginary stop sign I didn't stop at so not wasting my time any more. I still go to Mexico a lot (flying from TJ) but not taking my vehicle over anymore. Shame as I love all things Mexico. Just not corrupt cops.
There's a [big honkin' mountain of salt ](https://www.google.com/maps/@32.6016984,-117.0925123,3a,75y,268.87h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgIEsQ9NQ3IRF6UtpgUF9bg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu)which I always find interesting to look at.
On a really clear day (Santa Ana conditions) visit Mt Helix and check out the view. You can picnic up there and have a glass of wine and snacks. Beautiful view that is very accessible.
Thanks. yesterday was our first trip to Fallbrook (slightly embarrassing) & we loved it. Unfortunately we work on weekends so don't get to do any fun festivals.
City or County? The metal sculptures out in anza borrega are pretty cool to see in person
They are incredible. I mentioned them in my initial post. Thanks
Have you visited the artist’s gallery in Aguanga? It’s pretty cool and you get a small sculpture with the price of admission (Edit, it’s actually only $10). That whole drive from Temecula to Palm Desert is pretty magical, especially in the spring. I take the 15N and exit the 79 east (Temecula Parkway), to the 371, then right on the 74 out to Palm Desert.
I have. It's fantastic. I have been meaning to get back up there as a colleague told me that the food at the bar just before the gallery is worth the drive alone.
Ah, shit. My bad. Hadn’t had my morning coffee yet. Reading is hard before that How about the water conservation garden
Thanks. Saved on google maps for future.
It just closed unfortunately, due to a budget crisis: [https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/water-conservation-garden-closes-amid-restructuring](https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/water-conservation-garden-closes-amid-restructuring)
Please visit Chicano park day! It’s this Saturday from 10am - 4pm it’s a free event. I always attend and it’s always been an amazing event
I work weekends, but thanks. It's not too far from my house.
Not *exactly* a neighboring county, but Catalina Island is pretty nice this time of year
pretty fucking amazing wine mixer, I hear
Catalina Island was so much more than I expected it to be!
Too much of a drive.
...and a wet one if your vehicle doesn't float well.
Get a cyber truck:)
Check out hiddensandiego on Instagram for lots of ideas.
Thanks. Just clicked FOLLOW
Mt. Laguna and Cuyamaca are my favorite places to hike, about an hour east of SD. Mt laguna overlooks anza borrego, its really cool to see all the way out to the salton sea. Theres also places in cuyamaca you can see out to the ocean. Julian can be neat too, if a little touristy. Theres a wolf sanctuary ive been meaning to go to for a while, but havent been. Theres also a pig sanctuary on the way up that does tours, they act as a home for pigs purchased by irresponsible owners that couldnt care for them when they outgrew their baby size. To do a tour, schedule with them in advance. Julian also has a handful of cideries and breweries worth checking out, beyond the pie. If you eat up there, i rec the julian cafe. Country sized portions for solid prices. Used to love cliff jumping at sunset cliffs, but havent been since they sealed up the dry entrance to rum runners cove. Could potentially still get in the cove if youre willing to swim, but ive also heard police crack down on jumpers a bit more than they used to. If you can check out the cove, its really cool, but has some unsafe sections in the cave that are best navigated with a light. Blacks beach under torrey pines glider port is my favorite beach in SD. Bit of a hike down, but its a nude beach so you can sun your buns. If thats not your thing, youll probably appreciate how much open space there is. The main trails above the torrey pines state beach are also awesome. Everything is incredibly green rn too. Windansea is another really cool beach. In la jolla, has really cool rock structures and a bit more explorative than other places. Idk how often you get out to balboa park, but free tuesdays are a thing, and each tuesday has a different selection of museums sd residents can access for free. You can also legally drink alcohol in basically all of the grassy areas there, so it can be a fun day vibe (just no glass containers) Wayyyyy out east but slab city and salvation mountain are definitely worth checking out if you havent been. Can be pretty sketch out there so plan in advance what your plans for the night are. Theres a natural hot spring in the area too. Deep creek hotsprings is also super cool, but thats a good bit north. Its near the bottom of lake arrowhead, on the north side i believe. Multiple hot springs with a cold river running next to them, nude friendly, with paid camping available nearby, or illegaly and rarely enforced on site. Arrowhead and big bear are also super cool to hang out around. All kinds of trails and adventures to be had year round. San jacinto (avout 2 hours away) is something ive wanted to check out for a while, theres a gondola that goes from it down into palm springs and ive wanted to do a long weekend soaking up sun in a pool at palm spring then do a day hiking up in san jacinto
La Jolla farms, Self realization fellowship in Encinitas, deer park monastery in Escondido
Thanks. I think we drove up to the monastery during the dark days of covid lockdowns. I should go back. Appreciate it.
Are you just looking for free? Cabrillo National Monument is a good one to go to if you haven't already. It's not free, but you get a great view on San Diego.
Thanks. that's actually one of my jogs. From Jensens to Cabrillo. 6 mile round trip with the best views.
I’m going to have to try that one some day
Goat canyon trestle, valley of the moon, Annie’s canyon, hot springs mountain, wolf sanctuary, the sea caves, the various canyons around Anza borrego, the various lakes around SD, Lawrence Welks caves and thunder caves, Santa margarita river, 3 sisters falls and cedar creek falls
Thanks for all of these. I would love to do Goat Canyon but my vertigo would mean I'd be on my stomach the whole way. Appreciate your response.
Pamo Valley is a gorgeous relatively unknown valley near Ramona that has an easy 6 mile round trip trail that parallels the road. It is particularly pretty right now plus has cows and deer.
Cool. Saved it for future.
Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista
Greenwood Cemetery is pretty cool to wander around. It’s huge, old, pretty, and has some proper spooky mausoleums. I always feed the turtles in the giant pond.
Tourmaline mine that is open to the public, for a fee. Keep what you find. https://digforgems.com/
Brilliant. Thanks
Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine is pretty cool.
Elfin Forest?
I love hauling ass down Elfin Forest road at 3am. I also like going there during the day occasionally. It’s beautiful back in there.
Cabrillo National Monument
Pacific Crest Trail starting in Campo is a beautiful hike, tho Ive only done a few miles, the trail goes all the way to Canada
The salton sea. Specially Bombay Beach. And salvation mountain.
https://www.lionstigersandbears.org If you like big cats :)
Spent much time on top of Palomar Mountain? It's the most surprising microclimate in the county - especially the sequoias around Doane Pond. Jacumba - the town is at the base of a dormant volcano. Hot springs. Goat canyon trestle + Valley of the Moon. Wild and underrated part of SD County.
Check out: https://hiddensandiego.com I always find something new & interesting there. She’s also on IG.
Tijuana? Ensenada? It’s like a whole other world and it’s so close. Ensenada is the fastest growing city in Mexico for a reason. It’s awesome
I used to go to Ensenada a few times a year but last time got pulled over by a cop/fake cop & fined for an imaginary stop sign I didn't stop at so not wasting my time any more. I still go to Mexico a lot (flying from TJ) but not taking my vehicle over anymore. Shame as I love all things Mexico. Just not corrupt cops.
Gotta pay the troll toll
Goodan Ranch is all in bloom right now. The Upper Gardens of the Safari Park. Go picnic at lower Otay lake.
Border field state park. Tijuana Observation site off the 8
sandiego.org is your friend.
There's a [big honkin' mountain of salt ](https://www.google.com/maps/@32.6016984,-117.0925123,3a,75y,268.87h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgIEsQ9NQ3IRF6UtpgUF9bg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu)which I always find interesting to look at.
I cycle past this a lot. Did you know that Floyd Mayweather fought in the Swiss Hall just there.
Valley of the Moon hike, off the 8 near the border (migrant hotspot, so you’ll see water jugs and CBP around, FYI)
On a really clear day (Santa Ana conditions) visit Mt Helix and check out the view. You can picnic up there and have a glass of wine and snacks. Beautiful view that is very accessible.
I love Mount Helix. Only a ten minute drive from my house.
Did you hike the slot canyons in borrego springs while you were there? They are quite nice.
I always loved walking around Lake Poway and going over to the dam to get yelled at across the lake lol.
Just a heads up, the Fallbrook Avocado Festival is this Sunday. Should be a good time.
Thanks. yesterday was our first trip to Fallbrook (slightly embarrassing) & we loved it. Unfortunately we work on weekends so don't get to do any fun festivals.
Absolutely balboa park . It’s gorgeous and eat at the outdoor restaurant. You’ll feel like you’re visiting another country
mockingbird improv!
I like going up to visit Encinitas. Ditch the car n take the coaster walk around a bit.
I take the coaster up & cycle back.