Map of the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego, California

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Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve California map area

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

LENGTH:

15+ miles

SURFACE:

unpaved

COMMUNITIES:

San Diego

HIGHLIGHTS:

historic sites, natural areas of Los Peñasquitos Canyon, local parks, residential neighborhoods, schools

NEARBY TRAILS:

SR-56 Bike Trail

RELATED LINKS:

North San Diego County
San Diego

Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is located between Interstate 5 and Interstate 15 and to the north of the Mira Mesa area. This area is situated to the south of Rancho Peñasquitos and Sorrento Hills. This 4,000 acres preserve is managed by the City of San Diego and includes both Los Peñasquitos Canyon and Lopez Canyon. There are numerous soft-surfaced hiking trails in the area. Bike riding is only allowed on designated trails. The preserve offers visitors a view of the natural beauty of the area with waterfalls in the spring, rocky canyons and an opportunity to see the local geologic formations and the native flora and fauna.

Points of Interest

Some remains of pre-historic culture can be found in the preserve. There are also remnants of the first Spanish settlers in the area including the Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos Adobe. In the wet season, there are waterfalls along the creek. There is also the El Cuervo Adobe Ruin along Sorrento Valley Road, about 3/4 mile east of Interstate 805.

Conditions

The area is quite rugged and the trails are unpaved. This area can get quite warm during summer months and there is a possibility of rattlesnakes.

Access Points

Trail users can reach Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve from numerous locations. There are trails leading to the canyon form Sorrento Valley Road, E. Ocean Air Drive, Carmel Mountain Road, Rancho Royon Place, Park Village Road and Black Mountain Road.

There are trailheads with parking at the intersection of Black Mountain Road and Mercy Road, Canyonside Park off of Black Mountain Road, Peñasquitos Creek Park on Park Village Road and Sorrento Valley Road at 1 mile east of Interstate 805.

Nearby Trails

The trails within Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve meet up with other hiking trails in the area and with trails in the Del Mar Mesa Preserve. To the east, there are also hiking trails to the east of Interstate 15. This Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve area is also not far from the SR 56 Bike Trail.


Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego, California.