Top 6 Date Hikes in Southern California

Top 6 Date Hikes in Southern California

Whether you’re on a first date, or been married for ten years, date hikes are a great way to spend some one on one time while enjoying all that nature has to offer. We’ve narrowed down our top six hikes in Southern California that make the best hike for a date. Plus, as a bonus, we’ve added some fun options to do afterwards to keep the spark going.

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TORREY PINES STATE BEACH - SAN DIEGO

Arguably the most popular hike in San Diego, Torrey Pines State Park is home to the nation’s rarest pine, Pinus torreyana, or Torrey Pine. The unique environment includes rugged views of the ocean, a network of eight miles of trails to explore, diverse wildlife, abundant plant communities that thrive in the protected areas, different species of birds including the Osprey and Peregrine Falcon, and sea life including dolphins.

Start with the upper trails so you end your day on the beach. Bring a large beach mat and stretch out with your date on the soft sand for some romantic beach time.

Visit: torreypine.org/reserveinfo/tr ails/ . Afterwards head over to Eve, The Best of San Diego 2017 winner, for a healthy Vegan Buddha Bowl like their Havana Affair, a twist on your regular Cuban bowl.

Bonus:

Get some quiet time to connect with your date and yourself at the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple’s lush meditation gardens just a short drive on the 101 North of Torrey Pines in Encinitas. You will find meditation nooks, koi ponds, trickling streams, colorful flower beds, and expansive views of the ocean below that offer a peaceful setting to enjoy nature. For more information visit their website.

For a date hike that will get your heart pumping even more than it already is, check out Devils Slide Trail to Tahquitz Lookout. A total of 8.7 miles round-trip, and 2,800ft elevation gain (with 1,700ft gain in the first 2.5 miles) Devil’s Slide trail to Tahquitz Lookout is a great peak bagging hike that isn’t too strenuous, yet is a good workout. At 8,846 feet, the hike culminates at the Tahquitz Fire Lookout, a volunteer staffed and fully operating fire lookout that is open during fire season.

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Expansive views of the Ivalley below make it a perfect spot for endless views. Lily Rock, a popular climber’s destination, is in view the first 2 miles of the trail and if you’re lucky you’ll spot some climbers on their accent.

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/reca rea/sbnf/recarea/? recid=26485 for more information, permits required, and trail map.

TAHQUITZ PEAK- SAN JACINTO MOUNTAINS

Bonus:

Fill up with local craft beers, live music, and scrumptious food at Idyllwild Brew Pub after your hike! We recommend the handmade pretzels!

When you hike Palomar Mountain State Park you’ll feel like you were transported to some far away enchanted woodland. A coniferous forest full of large pine, fir, and cedar trees create a Sierra-Nevada like environment that will take you and your date’s breath away. With over 11 miles of hiking trails in the 1,862-acre park, there are multiple options with varying mileage and degrees of difficulty. Many points of interest along the trails include a pond, meadows, streams, historical sites, amazing views, tons of wildlife, and the Boucher Hill Fire Lookout Tower, a fully functioning fire tower that holds tours for the public, make for lots to see while on your hike. Visit http://www.friendsofpalom arsp.org/ for more information, park entrance fees, and trail maps. No permit is needed for hiking and backpacking is not allowed. Dogs are not allowed on the trails.

PALOMAR

MOUNTAIN STATE PARK SAN DIEGO

Bonus:

Visit Mother’s Kitchen just outside the park for some homemade vegetarian faire! Our favorite is their warm chili with a slice of grilled squaw bread. motherskitchenpalomar.com/.

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H I K E I T O F F M A G A Z I N E | 9

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BRIDGE TO NOWHERE- SAN

GABRIEL MOUNTAINS

Is your date adventurous? If so, the challenging 10- mile round trip hike through a rugged section of the East Fork of the San Gabriel in the Sheep Wilderness that involves rock scrambling, multiple water crossings, sheer canyon walls, and solitude make this hike quite an adventure. The trek loosely follows the failed attempt to build a road and bridge that would connect the San Gabriel Valley and Wrightwood. It was washed out during a flood in 1936 and was abandoned leaving the bridge marooned forever.

It is a fun hike and is full of adventure! A free Wilderness Permit is required if entering at East Fork trailhead. Get more information here:

fs.usda.gov/detailfull/angel es/recreation/? cid=stelprd3823884&width= full

Bonus: For the ultra-adventurous, you and your date can literally jump off the bridge to nowhereattached to a bungee of course! Bungee America has provided a safe environment to experience a life-changing experience for over 158,000 jumpers to date. Book your jump ahead of time here: bungeeamerica.com/

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ECHO MOUNTAIN ALTA DENA

Echo Mountain via the Sam Merrill Trail is a whimsical hike with an interesting history lesson. The 5.8-mile hike has amoderate gain of 1,500ft. Once you reach the top, you will find the ruins of the Echo Mountain House and the incline railway that carried guests the 1,000 feet to the hotel. Built in 1894 by Professor Thaddeus Lowe, the house included 70 guest rooms, a social hall, dining room, souvenir shop, Western Union office, bowling alley, billiard room, barbershop, and shoeshine stand. Unfortunately, the house burned to the ground in 1900 but plenty of artifacts remain.

Beautiful views of Los Angeles make it a perfect hike to watch the sunset. For a detailed trail description, map,

A news article discusses current or recent news of either general interest or of a specific topic.

and more photos, visit SoCal Hiker’s blog here: socalhiker.net/echomountain-via-thesam-merrill-trail/

Bonus:Before heading up the trail for your sunset hike, start your date at the Norton Simon Museum which is known around the world as one of the most revered private art collections ever assembled. garden throughout the year. t For more information including museum hours and ticket pricing, please visit their website here: nortonsimon.org/ visit/visit-themuseum/#hours

BORREGO PALM CANYON ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK- SAN DIEGO

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Anza Borrego’s most famous hike is a 3-mile round-trip nature walk that never disappoints. Although short, it feels like an adventure when you end up in a lush palm oasis with crystal clear flowing water fed by underground springs, towering native California fan palms, willows, and the sound of little waterfalls. Over 80 types of migratory birds call this canyon their home for parts of the year and can be found near the water on the trail. There are plenty of spots for a picnic in the shade next to the flowing water. On the hike back, be sure to scan the ridge to the East for wild Bighorn Sheep that come down to drink the water. For more info, click here. :

Bonus:

Explore Galleta Meadows to see 130 larger than life sized metal sculptures created by Ricardo Breceda. The collection includes wild horses, insects, reptiles, and the very dinosaurs that roamed the desert millions of years ago. Dennis Avery, the late land owner of Galleta Meadows, had envisioned a place where he could bring these sculptures to life and over the years made it happen on over 10 square miles of desert meant to self-explore. Download the road map here: itunes.apple.com/us/book/road-guide-toborrego-springs/id515425020?mt=11

Afterwards, enjoy dinner at The Palms at Indianhead’s Coyote Steakhouse where you can take in views of Indianhead while dining on the patio where stars like Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift came to find some freedom to do as they pleased. Stay the night in one of the casitas situated right next to one of the largest pools in San Diego County and star gaze from your patio after the sun goes down. Book your stay here: thepalmsatindianhead.com/index.html

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