I am excited to have Lindsay (@sdadventuremom) on the blog today! She is a fellow mom who loves getting out with her kids and staying active as a family. She will be sharing tips for getting ready for a family hike and 5 must hit trails in San Diego County. Be sure to check out her instagram for awesome places all around the county to get outside with your kids.

Hi, I’m Lindsay! 

One of my favorite things to do with my kids is to get outdoors. It may sound simple, but you know how hard it is to just get out the door sometimes, especially with littles in tow. When I was young, my Mom would take me on adventures all over San Diego county and they are some of my favorite memories. I remember her coaxing me up Cowles Mountain with a snickers bar at four years old; I also remember it worked. San Diego is full of opportunity for adventures, but I especially love taking my kids on the trails. Whether it’s a walk around a lake or making it up San Diego’s highest peak, I’ve done them both pregnant and post pregnancy and I’m here to share with you so you can, too! For more ideas about where to take your kids around San Diego, follow me on Instagram: @sdadventuremom 

Getting ready to hit the trails:

1. PACK SNACKS!

   Make sure you have a backpack of some kind, ready to go. What do we pack? Snacks! Water, too, of course. Snacks are KEY on the trails as all that energy is going to require tasty nutrients to fuel those bodies. Pack a container of fruit, snack bars, squeeze pouches; whatever is easy for you. I also bring a treat to reward the kids after finishing the trail, or getting to the top. Usually we go to the local health food store and I let them pick out some treats to get them excited for the finish. My littles love yogurt raisins or surf sweets organic gummy bears, made with real fruit juice. Finding the right fuel is so important to a successful day on the trails.  

2. CHECK THE WEATHER.

   Make sure you aren’t hiking on a hot day. Check the weather before you go, then decide. If it’s sunny, lather on the sunscreen or bring a hat. 

3. FIND FOOTWEAR.

   Correct footwear is important, especially if it’s a rocky trail. REI is an outdoor store located in San Diego and is where we go when we want to get our hiking boots. Their associates will help you find the perfect pair for your kiddos, and they even have a small rocky “hill” for you to climb on to test them out (our kids love this!). 

4. PACK PAMPHLETS.

   This isn’t necessary, however it is fun, especially when I’m really trying to get my kids excited for a hike. At outdoor stores or online, purchase a couple of books or charts that will show your kids what kinds of things you are about to see on the trails (whether the topic is birds, plants, trees..etc). My daughter loves pointing out the things she recognizes from her booklets!

5. BABY CARRIERS.

   This only applies to you if you have a little one, of course, however it is a topic worth discussing if you haven’t figured out which type to use. Soft carrier versus framed hiking backpack? For me, the comfort of the soft carrier outweighs the benefits of a framed hiking backpack. I’ve tried both, it’s a personal decision. Keep in mind, the hiking backpack is typically a significant amount of added weight however the air flow keeps you cooler than a soft carrier. 

San Diego trails:

1. Cabrillo National Monument

   holds various short trails and is a beautiful place to soak up San Diego and its surrounding views. Inside the park is the Bayside Trail which is 2.5 miles long round trip and takes you where it promises, the bayside. You start at the top of the cliff where the original Point Loma lighthouse still stands, then make your way down near the water. The hill coming back up is a pretty good workout for little ones, so be prepared to carry them if necessary however I personally haven’t had to yet... we take snack breaks and seem to make it just fine! Slow and steady wins the race. Be on the lookout for whales, sea lions, and other sea life out in the bay!

2. Torrey Pines State Reserve

   is my favorite place to get my kids on the trails in San Diego. Not only are the views absolutely stunning, but the trails are just the right amount of length so as not to overdo it with kids. Guy Fleming Trail is an easy breezy 2/3 mile loop trail lined with wildflowers and, you guessed it, torrey pines. This is a great trail with little ones since it is so quick! Park in the state park, or park for free outside of the park along the ocean and walk up to the trailheads, instead. Just keep in mind that the walk to get to the trail head is a workout! Be prepared for water breaks and rest stops if you’re with young ones.

3. Annie’s Canyon trail

   is a 2.2 mile loop trail located within the San Elijo lagoon. If you have older kids (age 5+), this trail is for you. As you get to the trail head, there is a sign that directs you to the “View Point” to the left or the “One Way Loop” to the right. If you’re wearing a baby carrier or have a dog with you, I would say to just check out the view point. The one way loop is the full loop trail but does not provide enough room through the narrow caverns and is a bit tricky to navigate if you’re very young. If you go, enjoy the views of the lagoon and the sandy cliffs surrounding you. 

4. Cowles Mountain

   is a more advanced hike, however your kids are capable of more than you think! I came to the 3 mile roundtrip trailhead with my daughter when she was 3.5 years old and expected us to barely get up the mountain but I wanted to try. Turns out, she made it to the top and even ran down half the mountain with me. We had the best time and it was one of my favorite days with her, I was so proud! We stopped multiple times, took snack breaks and water breaks, looked for birds, and made a game out of getting to the top…but we did it! The 1,593 foot summit is the highest point in San Diego and is located within Mission Trails Regional Park. The trail can be rocky, so again, pack appropriate footwear! 

5. Chollas Lake Park

   is home to a 16 acre lake made for recreational youth fishing. It hosts a dirt road trail that is lined with gorgeous towering trees and is a great way to get on the trails without having to work too hard, as it is quite flat. Plus, the kids love to watch the ducks and geese waddle around the lake during their walk. The trail itself is a 2.1 mile loop and as a bonus, there is a fun nature themed playground on the opposite end of the main parking lot, which is a great place to play before you head back to the car. Bring your dogs, too, as they are allowed on the trail.