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Pepper Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,577 Google reviews · Running trail in National City, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Pepper Park'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.
This 5.5-acre park features a playground, a boat launch, picnic tables, a fishing pier & restrooms.
What runners say about Pepper Park
“Small park but everything is new and clean with a beautiful view of the bay and a small pier.”
“Small park but everything is new and clean with a beautiful view of the bay and a small pier.”
Beautiful park right on the beach. Nice walking path smooth enough for skating
I love it here. When it is not busy with huge family parties or the people who live in their RVs in the parking lot, it is a quaint place to relax or walk the dogs. Watching the boats come in and out as well as the fishing off the tiny pier is also calming.
Great park to take the kids, or even adults to have a good time. You can have functions here easily and do other things like fishing, running and any form of exercise. This park has a lot of views that would be great for a photo shoot. There's a place to lower boats into the water beside it too, it's a fun park.
A splash pad that works. Finally. Plenty of parking my goodness. Absolutely A+. Bathrooms. Amazing playground and walk ways. I Absolutely love the sand play area with tables and coverage near the water. 10/10 recommend. Its a fishing and boating area I understand.
Trail conditions & character
“Small park but everything is new and clean with a beautiful view of the bay and a small pier.”
“When it is not busy with huge family parties or the people who live in their RVs in the parking lot, it is a quaint place to relax or walk the dogs.”
“The restrooms are located near the parking lot and there's even some vending machines in case you want a soda.”
“When it is not busy with huge family parties or the people who live in their RVs in the parking lot, it is a quaint place to relax or walk the dogs.”
Plan your run at Pepper Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteportofsandiego.org
- Phone(619) 686-6200
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10:30 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10:30 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10:30 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10:30 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10:30 PM |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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