City Hikes

LANDMARKS HIKE SERIES

San Marcos is rich with local historical sites, outdoor opportunities and innovative new community developments. See examples of these and more on hikes designed to explore landmarks that continue to make this City a recreational North County leader.

Rose Ranch & Richland Area
Saturday, September 6 | 8 a.m. (Sign–in at 7:30 a.m.)
Easy-to-Moderate: A blend of wide sidewalks, maintained trails and signature parks await you on this 5.3-mile hike through some of the oldest neighborhoods in San Marcos. A self-guided fact sheet will be provided as we will be passing by significant San Marcos historical
structures. There is minimal elevation gain.

Meeting location: Hollandia Park, 12 Mission Hills Court, San Marcos 92069 (park near the dog park).

BORDERLANDS HIKE SERIES

Get to know some of our municipal neighbors on hikes that will take you to the borderlands of San Marcos. Hikers will see how connected our community is to the fascinating region around us. 

San Elijo Hills West Tour
Saturday, October 4 | 8 a.m. (Sign–in at 7:30 a.m.)
Moderate-to-Strenuous: Explore the canyons, hills and neighborhoods of westerly San Elijo. Trails to be included are the Canyon, Old Creek Ranch, Copper Creek, Quarry and Morgan Trails. This 4.75-mile route with 785’ of total elevation gain is guaranteed to keep your legs and heart pumping!
Meeting location: San Elijo Park, 1105 Elfin Forest Road, San Marcos 92078 (Recreation Center parking lot)

Leo Carrillo Ranch and Simmons Family Park
Saturday, November 1 | 9 a.m. (Sign–in at 8:30 a.m.)
Moderate-to-Strenuous: This challenging 5-mile hike to Simmons Family Park will give hikers the opportunity to
explore the trails of the Rancho Dorado/Rancho Carrillo area and make a brief visit to Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic
Park. There will be 645’ of elevation gain. Please note: Dogs are not allowed at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park.
Meeting location: Carrillo Elementary School (parking lot near trailhead), 2875 Poinsettia Ln. Carlsbad 92009 

Las Posas Park to Highlands
Saturday, December 6 | 9 a.m. (Sign–in at 8:30 a.m.)
Moderate: “Rambling ups and downs” best describe this adventurous 4.0-mile loop hike to one of the northern
points of the City. Parks to be visited will be Las Posas, Santa Fe Hills, Foothills, Las Abejas and Quail Valley. There will be approximately 655’ of elevation gain.
Meeting location: Cerro de Las Posas Park, 1387 West Borden Road, San Marcos 92069

Star Walks

DOUBLE PEAK ASTRONOMY PROGRAM

Recommended Equipment:
LED flashlight with red filter or red lens cover
Binoculars
Warm clothes
Blanket and/or ground cloth

STAR WALK XXXVI
Sunday, August 17, 8-9:30 p.m. (Check–in at 7:30 p.m.)
The Perseid Meteor Shower is spectacular at 50 meters per hour; See Mars; Where are the Waning Crescent Moon and the planets? August is the best time to see the brilliant Summer Constellations. See the Teapot Asterism point to the Center of our Milky Way Galaxy.

STAR WALK XXXVII
Sunday, October 19, 7-8:30 p.m. (Check–in at 6:30 p.m.)
Where is the Moon? What is important about October’s Moon Phases? Orionids Meteor Shower; what about the role of Comets and Asteroids? Saturn, Neptune, Uranus are the prominent planets but challenging; See the Milky Way’s Summer Triangle and other Asterisms/Constellations.

STAR WALK XXXVIII
Sunday, December 14, 5:30-7 p.m. (Check–in at 5 p.m.)
See the very active Geminids Meteor Shower; Find the Autumn and Winter Constellations and Asterisms; Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune are visible Planets; the others? Define Winter Solstice (on the 21st, 7:02 a.m.)? What phase is the Moon?