One of San Diego’s best kept hidden spots is situated in San Elijo Lagoon Ecological preserve. Once closed to the public for restoration as it was full of vandals, is now restored to almost it’s original form. Annie’s Canyon Trail, also know as the “mushroom caves trail”, is a short easy-moderate hike through a narrow sandstone canyon.
It was closed for sometime due to the pandemic, but it was open when we went on the 1st week of April this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLtW3DaHKc8 – virtual video from San Diego County Comunications Office.
How to ge to the trailhead
There are several trails that you can take to the canyons, but the most popular ones are from N Rios Ave and Solana Hills. We opted to hike from N Rios Ave Trail in Solana Beach. Set your GPS to N Rios Ave, a residential area. Park on the side street and walk to the end of the cul-de-sac. The trail head will be on you right. When you come during spring time, look up to appreciate the white cherry tree blooms lining the street.
Hike on right next to the lagoon for about a half a mile. This short beautiful trail has benches facing the lagoon and the hi way from a distance. Each bench has an inscription dedicated to a loved one., which makes this preserve walk charmingly personal.
After walking through pretty wild flowers bloom and trees, you’ll get to a fork. To your right will be the signage to the trail and not far from it is the gate to the actual canyon trail. An information board right in the middle of the fork, shows maps trails, distance and difficulty. Also notable sites and facts about the San Elijo Preserve.
The hike to the canyon
Going through the gate, you’ll get to the sign that points to either taking the left for a switchback moderate climb or to the left towards the narrow, rated difficult, way. If you can handle squeezing through the cracks of a sandstone canyon, then left is for you. However, if you are fearful of tight spaces or height, this may be a little disconcerting for you. Otherwise, I definitely recommend taking the right.
It was as short .25 miles from that point. The first hundred feet of this trail is easy and can be done by any age. The challenge starts when you get to the uphill narrow cracks between the canyon. There is no turning back at this junction as this is a one way trail and with some steep steps that you may need a push from behind to make it through. At the end of the slot are a couple of metal ladders, that opens up to an amazing view of sandstone hills and the freeway, overlooking the lagoon.
After taking in and had our fill of the awesome panorama presented on top, we walked down through the switchbacks for about 10 minutes reaching the gates again. Then another half a mile back to the trail head. You can detour to the right towards the lagoon for a bird watching platform, before continuing back to N Rios Ave. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT57wkPnhY0 – link to our hike in my you tube channel.
After the fun and epic hike that took us about a hour or so, we drove to Cardiff by the Sea. A quaint beach town 20 minute away. Opted to have lunch with an ocean view at Pacific Coast Grill, 2526 S Coast Hwy 101, Cardiff, CA 92007 . I had the yummiest fresh oysters ever, paired with my margarita, overlooking the pacific ocean. Annie’s canyon Trail, a definite must do when you’re in San Diego. Whataweekend!
Great resource of information. I’m planning for our trip to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe this coming June and I found this website extremely helpful. Thank you.
thanks Che.:)