Uncover the Secrets of Annie's Canyon Trail San Diego

Stunning hike alert! Gorgeous views of the bay and ocean open up along the way. The trail runs right through the hills — narrow, rocky, and full of charm. In some places, it’s so tight only one person can pass at a time. I spent about 80 minutes covering the whole loop. Spotted a snake and a few lizards too! Start at the end of Solana Hills Drive for the best experience. Bonus: it’s perfect for a date hike.

What a cool trail! While it may not be a long hike, it sure has some steep steps. I recommended visiting earlier in the day (before 11am) to avoid large crowds and for a more pleasant angle of light against the rocks. Traffic in the canyon builds up as people stop to take photos, so be prepared to be patient. It’s one-way up, and then a trail will lead you down the other side of the mountain back to the starting point where you can choose to walk to canyon trail again or go back to the start. My friend and I walked the loop three times and it took us less than an hour. I wore a slim backpack and was okay going through the canyon, but anything bigger would have been inconvenient in the narrow canyon. There are many other trails in the area, so if this canyon walk wasn’t enough, it’s fun to walk along the other paths too. Be careful if you have weak knees or struggle with climbing; the steps at the top are very tall and there are two sections of metal ladders. Nice view at the top!

Beautiful and different place. You can take beautiful photos of the landscape. An important recommendation: since it is close to the road, therefore easy to access, many people go there. If you plan to go on the weekend, go very early, before 9:30 am, otherwise you will be stuck in the middle of the canyon in a line of people as if you were at Disney. This spoils the spirit of adventure in nature and the chance to take photos only of the landscapes. I will go back there but for sure on a weekday and early. Free street parking but after 11:30 am it can be difficult to park, there are no bathrooms. Some parts are very narrow, you need to go sideways to get through the canyon. It is best to just take a bottle of water. You cannot take animals from the moment you enter the canyon.

Annie’s Canyon Trail in San Diego offers a lovely and relaxing walk with incredible wildlife views that make it an enjoyable outing for all ages. The highlight of the trail is undoubtedly the slot canyon—a unique and fun geographic adventure that’s hard to believe exists right in the heart of the city! The slot canyon itself, however, is not without its challenges. It features some surprising obstacles, including narrow passages, a bit of climbing and scrambling, and even a ladder that may not be suitable for everyone. If you have knee or joint issues or are unable to jump down 12-14 inches comfortably, this may not be the right trail for you. While it’s doable for many, it’s something to consider before attempting the slot canyon portion. We explored the trail with our young nieces and nephews, and they absolutely loved the adventure. That said, the day we went was incredibly crowded, which made the experience a bit less enjoyable. We often found ourselves stuck behind groups who would stop for long periods to take photos in the narrow slot canyon, creating backups and testing our patience. One unfortunate aspect of the trail is the widespread rock defacement and scratches on the walls of the canyon. It’s disappointing to see such a beautiful natural feature marred by vandalism. I hope future visitors will show more respect for this unique landscape. Despite these drawbacks, the overall experience was worthwhile. The views along the trail are stunning, and the slot canyon itself is a one-of-a-kind experience. If you’re looking for a mix of nature, adventure, and great photo opportunities (and are prepared for the challenges and potential crowds), Annie’s Canyon Trail is worth a visit! Just be mindful of the obstacles, and try to visit during less crowded times to fully enjoy the beauty of this hidden gem.

Worth a quick hike. Not strenuous. NOTE: If you take the switchback way up, you can't go down the ladder into the canyon. Take the "hard" way, counterclockwise. Beware of rattlesnakes. We saw two. Bring water.