Hiking Annie’s Canyon Trail In San Diego (Complete Guide)
Are you planning to hike Annie’s Canyon in San Diego? You’re in the right place, as this article will cover step by step directions for the hike.
Annie’s Canyon Trail is a fun, 1.6 mile round trip hike to an incredible slot canyon, with beautiful views of the San Elijo lagoon throughout. This is the perfect morning or afternoon hike if you want to relax and enjoy the quietness of nature.
This article will cover turn by turn directions on how to get to the slot canyon, and what you can expect from the hike.
Here’s everything you need to know to hike Annie’s Canyon Trail. For your convenience, we’ve included a trail map with turn by turn directions at the end of this article.
Overview of Annie’s Canyon Trail
- Length: 1.6 miles roundtrip
- Duration: 45 min – 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Free street parking right by the trailhead (Solana Hills Dr)
Once you arrive at Annie’s Canyon Trail, there’s easy free street parking right in front of the gate (Solana Hills Dr). This hike is mostly over an open dirt trail, with a section at the end where you’ll walk through a narrow slot canyon.
It’s very family-friendly, but the hike through the slot canyon may not be suitable for those who get claustrophobic. Whether or not you choose to hike the slot canyon, this hike is still worth it for the peaceful nature and beautiful views of the lagoon.
What is Annie’s Canyon?
Annie’s Canyon is a 1.6 mile round trip trail, through a sandstone slot canyon near Solana Beach. Previously known as “Mushroom Caves” by hikers, this hike was once closed to the public due to vandalism. After a local resident named Annie donated money to remove the graffiti and restore the slot canyon, it was reopened to the public in 2016, and named Annie’s Canyon.
Throughout the hike, you’ll have an amazing view of the San Elijo Lagoon, one of San Diego’s largest wetlands. Beyond the slot canyon, you can go birdwatching, see salt marshes, and check out the different plants and animals around the lagoon.
How To Get To The Slot Canyon
To get to the slot canyon, you’ll begin walking on the dirt trail adjacent to the freeway. Once the trail begins to dip below the freeway, you’ll turn left.
This area has trees and benches where you can stop for a snack or admire the lagoon. You’ll continue walking for a few minutes until you reach a junction with a large signpost, and turn left once again.
Then, you’ll continue walking along Annie’s Canyon Trail until you reach the slot canyon.
The rest of the hike is up through the slot canyon, which gets narrow, and has a small set of stairs to climb up at the very end.
I recommend wearing a backpack or water sling so you can keep your hands free while climbing up it. If you get claustrophobic in narrow spaces, you can still get a good look at the slot canyon, without hiking into it.
Just remember that it is a one-way hike, so make sure to avoid entering the slot canyon if you don’t plan on climbing through it.
The hike through the slot canyon is short and only takes around 5-10 minutes. Although the hike gets really narrow, it only lasts a few minutes, so I highly recommend it.
Here’s what you can expect out of the most difficult part of the hike:
After you climb up the slot canyon, you’ll be on top of a small hill with a nice view of the San Elijo Lagoon.
This is an open area, with a set of stairs you can easily walk down to return to the trail.
If you want to avoid crowds, I recommend hiking on a weekday.
Easy Step By Step Directions
- Walk on the dirt trail adjacent to the highway (~15 minutes), and turn left once the trail begins to dip below the highway.
- Continue walking until you see a large signpost, and turn left at this junction.
- Walk until you reach the slot canyon, and climb all the way through the slot canyon (one way).
- Enjoy views of the lagoon from the top of the hill, and walk down an easy set of stairs to return the way you came from.
Annie’s Canyon Trail Map
Annie’s Canyon Trail FAQs
When’s the best time to hike Annie’s Canyon?
The best time to hike Annie’s Canyon is on a weekday, to avoid crowds when climbing up the slot canyon. This is the perfect hike for the morning, or an hour before sunset to catch the sunset over the San Elijo lagoon.
Is Annie’s Canyon Trail dog-friendly?
Yes, Annie’s Canyon trail is dog-friendly as long as they’re leashed on a leash no longer than 6ft. However, the slot canyon portion of the hike isn’t suitable for dogs, because it requires you to climb a steep vertical set of stairs.
The rest of the hike, and the nearby trails that loop around the lagoon are perfect for dogs.
Is Annie’s Canyon Trail family-friendly?
Yes, Annie’s Canyon trail is one of the most family-friendly hikes in San Diego. Not only is it a good workout for the family, but it’s a great way to teach kids about geography.
The slot canyon only takes a few minutes to climb up so it’s suitable for most kids, and there’s benches throughout the trail where you can stop for a snack.
When’s Annie’s Canyon’s trail open?
Annie’s Canyon Trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
How long is Annie’s Canyon trail?
Annie’s Canyon Trail is 1.6 miles roundtrip, and can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on your speed. It took me around an hour, and I stopped to take plenty of pictures along the way.
What should you wear on the hike?
Since you’ll be climbing through the slot canyon, make sure to wear comfortable sneakers and flexible clothing. A portion of the slot canyon requires you to climb up stairs, so I recommend wearing a backpack or water bottle sling to keep your hands free.
Additionally, you may brush up on the side of the canyon walls and get sand on your clothes. So, make sure to bring wet wipes or an extra change of clothes if you plan on going out after!
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