Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Del Rey Canyon: a lesser known Chula Vista pocket canyon

South of East H Street, walk along the north-facing slope.

On the dirt path leading south into the canyon may be found the rarely-seen golden club cactus.
On the dirt path leading south into the canyon may be found the rarely-seen golden club cactus.

The Rancho del Rey community in Chula Vista is home to several urban canyons. Sometimes referred to as “pocket canyons” due to their relatively small size and the fact that they are tucked between more developed commercial and housing tracts, they help give San Diego and its environs the unique flavor that sets it apart from other large Southern California cities. Perhaps the best-known pocket canyon in Chula Vista is Rice Canyon Open Space Preserve, north of East H Street. However, there is a less-known alternative only a short distance away.

Look for tadpoles in any open water and listen, as you may hear a western toad or see coyotes, raccoons, scrub jays, or red-shouldered hawks.

Just south of East H St., between Paseo Ranchero on the east and Paseo del Rey on the west, lies a charming little canyon well worth your time to explore. There are several possible entrances, but this hike directs you to Camino del Rey, about 100 feet west of Via Mar Azul. The trailhead is on the south side of the road and marked only by a small City of Chula Vista sign notifying that dogs are allowed only on leashes. A well-graded and maintained dirt path leads south into the canyon. Walk down the path for about 100 feet to reach the main east-west trail. In this short section may be found the rarely seen golden club cactus. Look down into the bottom of canyon to note return choices if taking the more challenging trip to the left.

Rare maidenhair ferns grow on north-facing side.

Turn right on the main trail for an easy stroll on a flat dirt pathway. This path follows the canyon rim for about one mile until it exits the canyon near the corner of East H St. and Paseo del Rey. Enjoy the panoramic view down into the canyon and the brief introduction to some of the plants and animals found in the area. Note that you are walking on the south-facing slope off the canyon. This has a marked effect on the plants growing due to the increased sun exposure. Here is a coastal sage scrub community that can tolerate drier conditions. Some interesting plants to watch for include the spiny coast cholla, the diminutive fishhook cactus, and the more robust coast barrel cactus.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Now look across the canyon to the north-facing slope and observe a chaparral habitat consisting of larger, more densely growing plants such as lemonadeberry and toyon. These plants need the extra moisture found on this less-sun-exposed slope. At the bottom of the canyon is a riparian habitat consisting of year-round dense vegetation.

Another option once meeting the main east-west trail is to turn left instead of right for a more challenging hike. Hike east approximately 400 feet until reaching a branch to the right. Take this another 100 feet as this well-maintained path descends into the canyon where it ends and the single-track paths begin toward the west. Depending on the amount of water and recent usage, there may be multiple paths closer or farther from the canyon bottom. After rain, there can be considerable water flowing through the canyon and some water may be found as the result of urban runoff from irrigation even in the summer months.

Continue walking west, away from Paseo Ranchero, exploring any of the paths that look interesting. In general, continue near the canyon floor, where there are several opportunities to cross over to the other side. Plants to be on the lookout for include southern cattail and maidenhair fern. Look for tadpoles in any open water and listen, as you may hear a western toad or see coyotes, raccoons, scrub jays, or red-shouldered hawks in the canyon.

Continue west along the bottom of the canyon with the following options to return to your vehicle on Camino del Rey. Walk to the corner of Paseo del Ray then east on East H Street for 330 feet before turning south on the well-maintained rim trail for a 2.8-mile loop. Alternatively, walk along the canyon bottom until a comfortable turnaround point is reached to either retrace your path or choose any of the other routes that head back in the general direction you came.

Distance from downtown San Diego: About 15 miles. Allow about 25 minutes driving time (Chula Vista). From I-805 S, take East H St. exit. Turn right and go 2.8 miles. Turn right on Paseo Ranchero and go 0.3 mile. Turn right on Camino Del Rey and go 0.2 mile and park on the street.

Hiking length: Approximately 2.8-mile loop or shorter distances out and back.

Difficulty: Easy. Upper trail has little elevation gain/loss. Lower trail has 300 feet of elevation gain/loss. Dogs allowed on leashes. No facilities.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

San Diego Reader 2024 Music & Arts Issue

Favorite fakers: Baby Bushka, Fleetwood Max, Electric Waste Band, Oceans, Geezer – plus upcoming tribute schedule
Next Article

Summit Fellowship wants to be a home of belonging

Unitarian Universalism allows you to be exactly who you are in the moment
On the dirt path leading south into the canyon may be found the rarely-seen golden club cactus.
On the dirt path leading south into the canyon may be found the rarely-seen golden club cactus.

The Rancho del Rey community in Chula Vista is home to several urban canyons. Sometimes referred to as “pocket canyons” due to their relatively small size and the fact that they are tucked between more developed commercial and housing tracts, they help give San Diego and its environs the unique flavor that sets it apart from other large Southern California cities. Perhaps the best-known pocket canyon in Chula Vista is Rice Canyon Open Space Preserve, north of East H Street. However, there is a less-known alternative only a short distance away.

Look for tadpoles in any open water and listen, as you may hear a western toad or see coyotes, raccoons, scrub jays, or red-shouldered hawks.

Just south of East H St., between Paseo Ranchero on the east and Paseo del Rey on the west, lies a charming little canyon well worth your time to explore. There are several possible entrances, but this hike directs you to Camino del Rey, about 100 feet west of Via Mar Azul. The trailhead is on the south side of the road and marked only by a small City of Chula Vista sign notifying that dogs are allowed only on leashes. A well-graded and maintained dirt path leads south into the canyon. Walk down the path for about 100 feet to reach the main east-west trail. In this short section may be found the rarely seen golden club cactus. Look down into the bottom of canyon to note return choices if taking the more challenging trip to the left.

Rare maidenhair ferns grow on north-facing side.

Turn right on the main trail for an easy stroll on a flat dirt pathway. This path follows the canyon rim for about one mile until it exits the canyon near the corner of East H St. and Paseo del Rey. Enjoy the panoramic view down into the canyon and the brief introduction to some of the plants and animals found in the area. Note that you are walking on the south-facing slope off the canyon. This has a marked effect on the plants growing due to the increased sun exposure. Here is a coastal sage scrub community that can tolerate drier conditions. Some interesting plants to watch for include the spiny coast cholla, the diminutive fishhook cactus, and the more robust coast barrel cactus.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Now look across the canyon to the north-facing slope and observe a chaparral habitat consisting of larger, more densely growing plants such as lemonadeberry and toyon. These plants need the extra moisture found on this less-sun-exposed slope. At the bottom of the canyon is a riparian habitat consisting of year-round dense vegetation.

Another option once meeting the main east-west trail is to turn left instead of right for a more challenging hike. Hike east approximately 400 feet until reaching a branch to the right. Take this another 100 feet as this well-maintained path descends into the canyon where it ends and the single-track paths begin toward the west. Depending on the amount of water and recent usage, there may be multiple paths closer or farther from the canyon bottom. After rain, there can be considerable water flowing through the canyon and some water may be found as the result of urban runoff from irrigation even in the summer months.

Continue walking west, away from Paseo Ranchero, exploring any of the paths that look interesting. In general, continue near the canyon floor, where there are several opportunities to cross over to the other side. Plants to be on the lookout for include southern cattail and maidenhair fern. Look for tadpoles in any open water and listen, as you may hear a western toad or see coyotes, raccoons, scrub jays, or red-shouldered hawks in the canyon.

Continue west along the bottom of the canyon with the following options to return to your vehicle on Camino del Rey. Walk to the corner of Paseo del Ray then east on East H Street for 330 feet before turning south on the well-maintained rim trail for a 2.8-mile loop. Alternatively, walk along the canyon bottom until a comfortable turnaround point is reached to either retrace your path or choose any of the other routes that head back in the general direction you came.

Distance from downtown San Diego: About 15 miles. Allow about 25 minutes driving time (Chula Vista). From I-805 S, take East H St. exit. Turn right and go 2.8 miles. Turn right on Paseo Ranchero and go 0.3 mile. Turn right on Camino Del Rey and go 0.2 mile and park on the street.

Hiking length: Approximately 2.8-mile loop or shorter distances out and back.

Difficulty: Easy. Upper trail has little elevation gain/loss. Lower trail has 300 feet of elevation gain/loss. Dogs allowed on leashes. No facilities.

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Gonzo Report: Half Hour Late lives up to their name at the Template

Deadhead-inflected band right at home in Ocean Beach
Next Article

Reader Music Issue short takes

Obervatory's mosh pit, frenetic Rafael Payare, Lemonhead chaos, bleedforthescene, Coronado Tasting Room
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.