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Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

Intermediate Intermediate
 3.9 (84)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …San Diego
  5. Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve
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“East-West trail that provides access to the majority of Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve trails. ”

James Camy
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13.2

Miles

21.3

KM
Doubletrack

245' 75 m

High

36' 11 m

Low

322' 98 m

Up

317' 97 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

6%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Open all year around.

Description

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve East-West trail provides access to the majority of the Preserve's trails.

Start at the Penasquitos Creek Park parking area and head west. The trail will wind around the creek and end at the highway. There are several creek tributaries you can cross along the trail. At the highway you cross the overpass and return on the South side of the creek heading East.

Besides the main trail, there is singletrack along the creek and outside of the main trail.

Contacts

Local Club: San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA)

Land Manager: City of San Diego - Parks & Recreation

Shared By:

James Camy
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 84 votes

#1

in Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

#75

Overall
  3.9 from 84 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
42%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Los Peñasquitos Canyon…

#4

in California

#75

Overall
238 Views Last Month
29,624 Since May 30, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate
21%
16%
55%
2%
4%
1%
Add a Photo

Photos

The waterfall upstream.
May 28, 2014 near Fairban…, CA
Beautiful sunset first time ride in the canyon.
Mar 17, 2016 near Fairban…, CA
At the edge of one of the creeks.
Dec 29, 2025 near Carmel…, CA
Pretty sky near the waterfall.
Dec 29, 2025 near Carmel…, CA
Singletrack along Penasquitos Creek.
May 28, 2014 near Fairban…, CA
Penasquitos Canyon singletrack.
May 28, 2014 near Fairban…, CA

3 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 22 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Dec 24, 2025
Ilana H
Nice views. Some streams we had to cross. Bridges slippery. Not too muddy despite the recent rains. Fun trail. 8mi — 1h 15m
Mar 1, 2025
Olaf Zinke
Dec 27, 2024
Olaf Zinke
Dec 21, 2024
Olaf Zinke
Aug 31, 2024
Hazel W
Approachable and fun beginner trail
Aug 24, 2024
Olaf Zinke
Overgrown at Vista Sorrento Pkwy, South side trailhead. Alternatively there is another trailhead at Sorrento Valley Blvd near El Cuervo adobe ruin.
May 27, 2024
emma steele
10.5mi — 1h 19m
Jul 19, 2023
Aaron Payne

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