La Jolla Canyon Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Waterfall

This trail starts out at the Ray Miller Trailhead and the associated parking area. Head northward up the fire road, past the yellow gate. The path will cross over the creek back and forth until you're 8/10 of a mile into the trail and you come across a 15-foot waterfall beside the trail.

Moving beyond the waterfall you'll come across a swath of coreopsis plants. In the springtime this area is full of a variety of blossoming flowers. Moving further along the trail you'll hit a trail junction with the the La Jolla Valley Loop Trail on the left. Be sure to stay with the La Jolla Canyon Trail. 6/10 of a mile later you'll come across the second trail junction. Here you can leave the trail to the left toward the pond. This is a good place to spot some birds and ducks along the trail. Continue past the pond until you reach an intersection with the La Jolla Valley Loop Trail fire road, at which point the La Jolla Canyon Trail ends. You can go up the fire road to the right to check out the La Jolla Valley Camp, which has tables and picnicking spots.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.