There are lots of fun trails to hike in San Diego. But very few include slot canyons. During a recent family reunion, we convinced our crew to go on a nature walk at Annie’s Canyon Trail. We like to take our grandkids on outdoor adventures to burn off some of their boundless energy. Annie’s Canyon Trail was closed for many years but was refurbished and reopened to the public in 2016. It’s a hidden gem in San Diego.
Annie’s Canyon Trail is located within the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, which contains almost one thousand acres of protected coastal wetlands and serves as home to numerous plants and animals. The trail is nestled in the hills at the north end of Solana Beach and overlooks the lagoon. We usually access the trail via Solana Hills Drive Trailhead or North Rios Avenue. It is a relatively short hike, only a couple of miles. Different routes provide varying degrees of difficulty to accommodate all levels of hikers.
The scenic trail is surrounded by beautiful foliage and wildflowers. The pathway meanders alongside the coastal bluffs before it narrows into a small passageway between towering sandstone walls, necessitating single file entry. As we approached the skinny slot canyon section, one of my grandkids asked in a worried voice, “Papa, are you going to fit?” Gee, kid, thanks for the vote of confidence – you’re a real morale booster. We all made it through the slots, both young and old, and climbed to the top of the bluffs to enjoy the panoramic vista. One summer, we took family photos on the lower trails when the nasturtiums were in full bloom. The hillside was a riot of color, with orange and yellow blossoms dotting the landscape. The gorgeous setting created a scenic backdrop. Being able to look for lizards and butterflies between photos lessened the sting of being compelled to sit and smile for the camera. The donuts helped too.
