This past holiday weekend, I headed to Daley Ranch, an Escondido reserve on more than 3,000 acres with over 20 miles of trails.
Given the ripe opportunity for hiking, it’s a wonder why I don’t go there more. In fact, the last time I visited Daley Ranch was in 2023; it was one of the first places I hiked for this column, when I did the enjoyable Boulder Loop Trail.
Daley Ranch was a working horse, cattle and dairy ranch over the course of the late 19th and 20th century. The land was, however, used for thousands of years prior by the Kumeyaay and Luiseno people. Today, visitors can see some of the area’s history, such as through a guided tour of the Ranch House.
On my visit, I hiked a loop that explores several trails in the preserve. The 3.5-mile moderate route was exposed to the sun, with only a few shady sections along the Coyote Run Trail, so I’d recommend planning this hike for cooler weather or earlier in the day.
It was the first proper hike my sister and I did with her five-month-old son. My sister is my hiking buddy, and I can tell — or at least, I hope — that my nephew is going to love hiking one day, too. He alternated between smiling and sleeping the whole way.
The Creek Crossing Trail heads east from the main Daley Ranch trailhead. (Maura Fox / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
To begin, head to the main Daley Ranch trailhead and parking lot on La Honda Drive in northeast Escondido. Hikers can access a few different routes from here, but this hike begins on the Creek Crossing Trail, which heads east, just after the large kiosk at the trailhead. There are also informational pamphlets available for visitors at the trailhead, and the trails are well-marked with wooden signs along the way.
The trail is mostly flat at first, but slightly rugged and rocky. As hikers continue, expect more changes in elevation. Around the half-mile point, it descends down a hillside before intersecting with the East Ridge Trail. Here, hikers will veer right to head southeast.
Just before the 1-mile mark, hikers will reach the Sage Trail and should take it northeast. This section of the Sage Trail is mostly uphill, including some switchbacks, and it definitely feels more strenuous, especially if you’re talking, like my sister and I were.
The Coyote Run Trail is more narrow and shaded than the other paths on this loop in Daley Ranch. (Maura Fox / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
It continues for about a mile until the Sage Trail meets the Coyote Run Trail. Here, we got some sweet relief with a section of downhill hiking and shade along the narrow path.
This was the easiest section of the hike as it passed through open grasslands. Hikers will stay on the Coyote Run Trail for nearly a mile before it meets the East Ridge Trail. Turn left — or south — on this trail to reconnect with the Creek Crossing Trail, where you started.
Complete the loop by taking the Creek Crossing Trail back to the parking lot. Once we returned, my sister and I chose to sit and snack on the large grassy field at the park located just next to the trailhead.