The Canyoneers have launched their 52nd hiking season with an impressive roster of 60 unique hiking opportunities that’ll take us from towering mountains to quiet deserts between now and next June.
The volunteer naturalists who’ve been showing us the best of San Diego’s outdoors for over five decades are officially back from their summer break.
What Makes These Hikes Different
These aren’t just guided walks—they’re educational experiences led by volunteer naturalists trained by Museum scientists. The Canyoneers teach participants about our region’s flora, fauna, diverse landscapes, and natural history as we explore.
It’s like having a personal nature documentary narrator along for the hike, except we get to ask questions and actually touch things.
San Diego County ranks as one of the most biodiverse regions in the country, which means there’s genuinely something new to discover on each trail.
The program offers everything from coastal wetlands to ocean views, fabulous forests to gorgeous grasslands, making it possible to experience completely different ecosystems without leaving the county.
What’s New This Season
Fourteen new hikes have been added to the schedule, including Bridge to Nowhere in Eagle Peak Preserve, Kwaamii Point in Cleveland National Forest, and Ash Wash in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. These additions show the Canyoneers are constantly finding new ways to showcase the region’s natural diversity.
The hikes are free, though advance registration is appreciated – which feels like a pretty incredible deal for guided nature education that would normally cost serious money elsewhere.
The Trail Guide Returns
Perfect timing coincides with the release of the second edition of “Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors.” The original 2016 edition sold 12,000 copies, and this updated version features over 250 hiking trails with specific details on mileage, elevation, difficulty, and GPS coordinates for trailheads.
What sets this guide apart is its focus on immersive, nature-focused activities that encourage readers to stop, look, listen, touch, and smell their surroundings. It’s designed to help us understand that everything in nature is connected.
See You There!
The Canyoneers’ 52nd hiking season proves that some traditions just keep getting better. Time to get back outside with people who actually know what we’re looking at.
📆 Season runs through June 2026
🎟️ Free hikes | Register here | Trail guide available for $32.95
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!