sharing my love for philanthropy, cooking, and adventure

Sunrise illuminating the summit glacier on Mount Kilimanjaro, with ice formations in the foreground and a sea of clouds in the background.

Tag: San Diego Hikes

Rusted remnants of an old vehicle frame lying along the El Cajon Mountain trail in Lakeside, California, surrounded by chaparral and hillside vegetation.

El Cajon Mountain | Lakeside | CA

El Cajon Mountain:
The Hike That Hikes You Back

Let me start by saying this: El Cajon Mountain does not mess around. This isn’t one of those “wow, what a nice stroll through nature” kind of hikes. This is more like “why am I going uphill again?” with a side of “my quads might never forgive me.” And yet — I’d absolutely do it again.

This is an ~11-mile out-and-back with over 3,500 feet of elevation gain, and it earns every bit of its reputation. Short on paper, relentless on the trail — the kind of hike that doesn’t just test your legs, but your patience.

Lake Hodges Dam viewed from above, showing the concrete arches and green reservoir water below

Lake Hodges | Escondido | CA

A Hike Through Time, Art, and Mystery

Some hikes impress you with views.
Others surprise you with stories.

Hiking Lake Hodges did both — quietly and unexpectedly. What began as a straightforward out-and-back turned into a walk through early water engineering, subtle trail art, wildfire reminders, and one lingering mystery that stuck with me long after I left the trail.

I parked across from Hernandez Hideaway, crossed the road, and headed south toward the dam. From the first steps, this hike felt like more than just mileage.

Narrow dirt trail winding uphill toward an old rusted water tank at Daley Ranch in Escondido, surrounded by chaparral and rolling hills.

Daley Ranch | Escondido | CA

Rattlesnakes, Regulations, and Ridiculously Good Views

Catching up on some hikes from 2024, I found myself at Daley Ranch Park, a 3,201-acre conservation area in Escondido, California. I really didn’t know what to expect. I figured I’d get some miles in, gain a little elevation, and—hopefully—avoid the kind of crowded trails that tend to attract hikers lacking any semblance of trail etiquette. Normally, when I pull into a packed parking lot, my first instinct is to turn around and head somewhere quieter. But I stuck with my plan, and outside of a close encounter with a rattlesnake, Daley Ranch exceeded my expectations.

Panoramic view from the summit of McGinty Mountain overlooking rolling hills, rugged canyons, and eastern San Diego County under a clear blue sky.

McGinty Mountain | San Diego | CA

I’ll Take an “S,” Ryan!

Confession time: I’m a closeted Wheel of Fortune fan. And when I found out they were hosting their first live auditions since the pandemic—with Ryan Seacrest as the new host, no less—I knew I had to go.

The audition was happening at Sycuan Casino in San Diego. So I set my alarm early, fueled up with coffee, and made the hour-long drive southeast.

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