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Knob Hill
4.6 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · Running trail in San Clemente, California · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 4 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Knob Hill's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Knob Hill
“Beautiful view nobody around nobody knows about it except locals Nice shot of the San Clemente high school”
Beautiful views and great hike. —Great short cut through the hiking trails if you live nearby and want to avoid the nascar races on Calle Del Cerro, La Pata, and Pico when biking, scootin’, n walkin’ to the businesses nearby like off Calle Sombra and Amanecer, Cordillera, and Calle Jon etc…🥳
This trail has a shortcut that will get me to work faster than taking long way via Calle Del Cerro. I also enjoy walking up the trailway to get good exercise for the day. I remember walking on this route with my brother and parents as a child and I always remembered having a wonderful time!!
Great little hike. Super steep. Not safe for strollers unless you use a harness / leash to secure it to yourself. Mountain bikes are good. Fix gear bike = yeah right, not going happen. Good hike / running if you're training. The last steep hill before the summit is a great one for testing / building sprint strength.
It is a beautiful morning hike, a quick and short trail, and really fun view to see. It is an out and back where you can go to 2 orange benches with a Luke Skywalker quote carved into them. There is an absolutely gorgeous view and a single tree up there.
Trail conditions & character
“Simple, nice benches, very steep walk up to the top, but worth it for the view of the ocean and panoramic view of San Clemente, especially at sunset!”
“Simple, nice benches, very steep walk up to the top, but worth it for the view of the ocean and panoramic view of San Clemente, especially at sunset!”
Plan your run at Knob Hill
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- Distance4 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near San Clemente
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Bonito Canyon Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 41 reviews
Pico Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 113 reviews
Basketball court in an informal park with a playscape, BBQ grills, picnic tables and ocean views.
