With all the recent beautiful San Diego weather, it’s about time we officially say it’s spring.
March 20 marks the spring equinox, the first day of a season that will last until June 21. The spring equinox is when both the northern and southern hemispheres are equally lit by the sun at the same time as the sun crosses the Earth’s equator.
This astronomical event — coupled with daylight savings time that went into effect on March 8 — really boosts my spirits. The longer days of sunshine mean more opportunity to be outside, and wildlife often become more visible in the spring.
To commemorate the occasion, I’ve pulled together five of my favorite nature preserves in San Diego County — places designated to protect wildlife and vegetation and where both shine in equal measure. Wildflowers, shady oak trees, ducks, deer and snakes have all greeted me within these preserves, and I hope you too can find yourself on their trails this spring.
Los Jilgueros Preserve
This 46-acre preserve in Fallbrook is so peaceful, featuring a pond with ducks and sections of the trail shaded by tall sycamore trees. It’s managed by the Fallbrook Land Conservancy, which aims to safeguard the natural habitat and recreational trails.
Los Peñasquitos Canyon County Preserve
It’s a classic, but the Los Peñasquitos Canyon County Preserve will likely always fall on my “favorites” list for San Diego hiking. There are the well-know waterfalls, but it’s also hard to beat Carson’s Crossing, which passes over a creek through a fairytale-like forest. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for deer grazing in the tall grasses, as I saw on my last hike there.
Oakoasis County Preserve
I love this nearly 400-acre reserve in Lakeside, open to hikers, horseback riders and leashed dogs. It offers views of the San Vicente Reservoir and a well-marked 2.5-mile loop. Astronomy enthusiasts can also find a community at this preserve, as the San Diego Astronomy Association uses it as a place to host hiking and stargazing events.
Ramona Grasslands County Preserve
This Ramona preserve is all about wide open spaces. Hikers can admire vast meadows and tall oak trees, a pond with water fowl and even cows munching on grass alongside the roughly 3-mile loop trail. It’s teeming with 408 plant species at the preserve, as well as 23 butterfly species, 37 mammals and more than 100 types of birds.
Rancho La Costa Preserve
I visited this preserve only last week, but I can’t stop thinking about it. The way the wildflowers bloomed along the North County hillside, the rush of the creek along the trail — and even my encounter with a rattlesnake — all made for a special hiking experience. It’s managed by the Center for Natural Lands Management, which aims to protect the preserve’s coastal sage scrub and other vegetation as part of efforts to mitigate the impacts of nearby development.