Tecolote Canyon Beckons From Tangle of Freeways

Near downtown San Diego and Sea World and ringed by suburbs, Tecolote Canyon is nevertheless a tranquil retreat from the bustle of the seaside metropolis.

A mellow lower-canyon path and a nature center attract locals and visitors to Tecolote Canyon Natural Park.

Except for a sprawling golf course, the canyon bottom has escaped large-scale developments and worse fates. Thanks to a two-decades-long effort by conservationists. about 900 acres were saved from the bulldozer and preserved in Tecolote Canyon Natural Park.

The “natural” part of the park consists of a coastal sage scrub community along with scatterings of sycamore, oak and willow alongside Tecolote Creek. Ice plant, mustard and fennel are among the more aggressive nonnative flora growing in the canyon. In spring it blooms with lovely nonnative yellow chrysanthemums, known to locals as “Caltrans daisies” or “freeway daisies” because they are often planted along freeways. Great horned and barn owls are often sighted in the canyon, which attracts a diversity of birds and flocks of bird-watchers. Two endangered species live in the canyon: least Bell’s vireo and the California gnatcatcher.

In contrast to most of the region’s coastal canyons, which extend east to west, Tecolote has a north-south orientation. The canyon’s odd geology and intriguing history are well interpreted by exhibits in the small nature center.

For the goal-oriented, a hike up Tecolote Canyon might be frustrating because of a lack of distinct destinations and turnaround points. For families with small children, the first, flat mile of the canyon bottom is an easy way to go. The golf course clubhouse two miles out and a lovely tributary canyon at the 2.75-mile mark are two intermediate goals.

Dogged and die-hard hikers armed with a good city map can trek the length of Tecolote Canyon, a six-mile one-way journey. Expect to find lots of poison oak and two major pedestrian challenges--crossings of Mt. Acadia and Balboa boulevards.

Directions to the trail head: From Interstate 5 in San Diego, just 0.5 mile north of its junction with Interstate 8, take the Tecolote Road/Sea World Drive exit. Head east on Tecolote Road for 0.5 mile to the road’s end at the parking area in Tecolote Canyon Natural Park.

The hike: From the nature center, walk up the wide dirt trail. After a bit, the canyon widens and the houses lining the top of the canyon walls seem to fade to a respectful distance. You’ll pass small eucalyptus groves as well as clusters of coast live oaks. Crowning Tecolote Canyon’s east wall is the sparkling blue dome of the Catholic church at the University of San Diego.

About 1.25 miles from the trail head, the path makes a couple of short but steep dips and climbs, then, curving east, narrows and rises above the Tecolote Canyon Golf Course clubhouse at the two-mile mark.

Soon the main canyon trail turns back north, heading up toward some power lines and Mt. Acadia Boulevard, but an interesting alternative continues east to a small tributary canyon. You can hike among this canyon’s oaks and sycamores to Genesee Avenue, then head back the way you came for a 5.5-mile round trip.

For more of John McKinney’s hiking tips and trails, visit https://www.thetrailmaster.com.

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Tecolote Canyon Trail

WHERE: Tecolote Canyon Natural Park.

DISTANCE: To golf course is 4 miles round trip; to Genesee Avenue is 5.5 miles round trip.

TERRAIN: Urban canyon in semi-natural state.

HIGHLIGHTS: Nature center, oaks, sycamores, a little tranquillity.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Tecolote Canyon Natural Park; tel. (858) 581-9930.