Early this week, I was perched on a rock at Point San Bruno Park along the San Francisco Bay, watching planes land and take off from the San Francisco International Airport. I was killing some time before my own flight home to San Diego, and I was charmed by the view of the blustery bay and the quiet grassy park, with a jetty all to myself.<\/p>\n
It inspired me the next day to head to Harbor Island Park \u2014 just south of the San Diego International Airport \u2014 for a 2.5-mile bayside walk for this week\u2019s hiking column<\/a>. It wasn\u2019t a hike, but you can do it on a rainy day, or if you want some exercise with a quintessential San Diego view<\/strong>, including the downtown skyline, Coronado Bridge and Cabrillo National Monument.<\/p>\n In San Diego, as in San Francisco, I was struck by the juxtaposition between the peace of the bay and the traffic and movement of the nearby airport. Even a short distance from the chaos, you can get some room to breathe, take a moment to stop moving and just be. I have to think there\u2019s a life lesson for me here \u2014 and maybe you, too \u2014 about finding stillness amid the tumult<\/strong>, especially as we near the end of 2025.<\/p>\n Check out Harbor Island Park during these last few days of the year \u2014 you can read today\u2019s column with details \u2014 or find another way to get outdoors, especially after the rain this week.<\/p>\n Or if you\u2019re planning to stay in, it might be the perfect time to plot out your adventures for New Year\u2019s Day and beyond. You can join a guided hike<\/a> at a state park in San Diego County on Jan. 1, part of a statewide First Day Hikes initiative. You can even opt for a polar bear plunge \u2014 a bracing dip in the Pacific Ocean \u2014 at Cardiff State Beach on New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n My own New Year\u2019s Day plans are still up in the air, but my family and I always go on a hike. Past favorites include the Big Laguna Trail in the Laguna Mountains and the trail to Eagle Rock in Warner Springs.<\/p>\n I\u2019d love to hear how you\u2019re ringing in the new year in San Diego County\u2019s outdoors \u2014 and I want to know what hikes you\u2019re excited for in 2026<\/strong>. Email me here<\/a>; I may feature your response in next week\u2019s column.<\/p>\n See you next year.<\/p>\n \u2014Maura<\/p>\n Hike of the week: Spot coastal birds and dolphins in the San Diego Bay at Harbor Island Park<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Start 2026 with a guided hike in one of California\u2019s state parks<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Lagoons, canyons and ocean views: 17 North County hikes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Mountains, lakes, grasslands and desert: 44 East County hikes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Take in Southern California\u2019s expansive backcountry in the Laguna Mountains<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Eagle Rock is an impressive destination along the Pacific Crest Trail<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
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