Hollenbeck Canyon

This place is beautiful, with a wide range of fire road and easy to semi-​technical single track, streams, tree-​lined canyons, rocky peak climbs, historical horse corrals, and oak-​filled grassy meadows. Great for mountain biking, hiking, horses, and dogs. Out and back and looping around, it is easy to do an 8 to 12+ mile trip in a day. Lots of room to explore. Easy to find trailhead with lots of parking. Great in fall through spring (when dry) when it is nice and green, and cool to warm, likely too hot and very dry in summer. Difficulty ranges from easy to moderate+, locally strenuous.

This place is gorgeous! I’ve lived in San Diego for more than 30 years and I’m NOW just discovering it! We started kind of late 9am so by the time we were heading back to the car, it was getting hot. I don’t think I’d hike here in the summer, but the cooler months — definitely worth it.

Who doesn’t love towering majestic oak trees? And, meadows! Meadows are just downright heavenly. The 3,200-acre Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area is also home to permanent mountains, perpetual coastal sage scrub, wild flowers (in the spring), continual bird song, a small creek (when it rains), horseback riders (most days), and a canyon that’s sure to be there every day of the year. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a hawk… exceptionally lucky, an eagle. What you won’t see is crowds of people. This is a fabulous place for a picnic under the shade of one of those royal oaks. And, don’t miss the stellar views from atop one of the mountains. Bring the pup… and, a DATE… and, soak it all up.

Started at 7:10 this morning and ended the hike at 10:05. The start was okay until it began to get warmer. If it were only greener it would have made a difference. Being it is the middle of May this is what can be expected. It was so brown out there today until you got further into the canyon. Definitely it is a moderate hike. Just like all the other hikes I have done each one has its own beauty of scenery. Depending on what the time of the year you go will dictate the amount of greenery you will see. Btw, it is definitely more than 4 miles from Jamul to get there. It’s at least six miles. Have fun and don’t forget to take lots of water.

Hollenbeck Canyon consists of a neat network of nature trails that is off-​the-​beaten path, but certainly worth a look– especially during the month of March when spring is in full force and the trails are surrounded by the bright green spring-​time folliage. There is a good 13 – 14 miles network of trails that one can follow and hike through. Regardless, you can make your time here as short or as long as you like. I actually mountain biked here during my visit in March 2012, but I saw plenty of hikers and equestrian folks as well. Take my advice and check out Hollenbeck Canyon! You’ll be glad you did!