It took more effort than usual to get out on my hike this week.
I typically wake up early on my hiking days, pour a cup of coffee and take breakfast to go — eager for a fresh start on the trail. But this week, I ran out to my car only for it to refuse to start, foiled by a dying battery. My efficient morning quickly devolved into a stressful affair of jumper cables and the realization that my 2008 Hyundai Sonata may not be long for this world.
Which is all to say that by the time I hit the trail at the San Dieguito River Park, I was very grateful to be there. I was joined by my sister and nephew and their dog, Elio. The weather, while warm, still felt perfect, and it was evident that just being outside and close to nature could really turn the day around.
The Coast to Crest Trail, heading west, is exposed to the sun. (Maura Fox / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
We completed a 4-mile out-and-back hike along sections of the Bernardo Bay Trail and Coast to Crest Trail, just south of Escondido. It was nearly all exposed to the sun, but the trail was punctuated by spots of shade with picnic benches that offered ideal resting points.
The hike technically travels along Lake Hodges, but there wasn’t any water below us in this area — which may be a disappointment if you’re expecting it. The trail does pass over a small flowing creek, but keep an eye out for poison oak near the water.
To begin, park at the Bernardo Bay Natural Area on West Bernardo Drive, just east of Interstate 15. You can also access another trail here, the Piedras Pintadas Trail, which I hiked a few years ago. But this week’s hike starts on a paved section of the Bernardo Bay Trail, heading north from the parking lot.
Hikers cross over the San Dieguito River to reach the Coast to Crest Trail. (Maura Fox / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
This trail is shared with cyclists, so be aware of your surroundings. Some cyclists sped by pretty quickly, startling us and our dog.
Walk on the paved trail for 0.4 miles before reaching the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bridge. The bridge is surrounded by thick vegetation, making for a nice transition from the first part of the route, which traveled alongside West Bernardo Drive with the noise of the freeway in the background.
At 0.6 miles, hikers will reach the Coast to Crest Trail. Follow the wide dirt path as it heads west toward Bernardo Mountain. The trail is easy to follow from here; you’ll simply stay on this path for the next 1.5 miles. We turned around at a lookout point over Lake Hodges and returned the way we came.
We sadly saw a dead barn owl on the side of the trail beneath an oak tree early into the Coast to Crest Trail. But otherwise, it was a lovely, easy walk, with flowers and thick green vegetation covering the trailside.
Elio takes a break on the trail. (Maura Fox / The San Diego Union-Tribune)