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San Clemente Canyon
4.5 ★★★★★ 152 Google reviews · Running trail in San Diego, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from San Clemente Canyon'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.
Park, canyon and trail network offering hikes, walks and bike rides.
What runners say about San Clemente Canyon
“Over the past 30 years, I've watched the canyon remain well maintained and continue to provide a peaceful escape from urban life.”
“The north side is pretty green from the creek & the south is brown but scenic.”
“Great for walking, running, and biking.”
“Some part of the hike was shaded and that was nice on a hot morning.”
“Great place for an easy hike.”
This place is gorgeous. A bit underrated I think but that's a good thing. Not that many people there. Beautiful trails with a bunch of canopies and shared sections perfect for San Diego warm weather in the summer. The creek that run through add a touch of wilderness and boosts your hiking experience.
Another great gem for a hike nestled between neighborhoods and freeways. As other reviewers say, decent sized lot off Genesee with bathroom and water fountain. Mostly flat trail until you hit the loop to the far east by the 805 and 52 exchange.
Parking off of Genesee provides about 30 spaces and open until 8pm. Bathroom and water fountain by the entrance. Trail is wide, unpaved dirt with few stretches of pebbles. Great for walking, running, and biking. No steep climbing except the short downhill at the start.
Good dirt path walk. Some bikers use the trail. Overall a would be great but the highway noise is definitely consistently heard throughout drowning out some of the wildlife noises. Great trail for running
Trail conditions & character
“Parking off of Genesee provides about 30 spaces and open until 8pm.”
“Not too hilly, and the odd bench here and there, with a couple bathrooms.”
“The north side is pretty green from the creek & the south is brown but scenic.”
“Some part of the hike was shaded and that was nice on a hot morning.”
“As other reviewers say, decent sized lot off Genesee with bathroom and water fountain.”
“Mostly flat trail until you hit the loop to the far east by the 805 and 52 exchange.”
“Mostly flat trail until you hit the loop to the far east by the 805 and 52 exchange.”
“As other reviewers say, decent sized lot off Genesee with bathroom and water fountain.”
Plan your run at San Clemente Canyon
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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
Running trails near San Diego
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Rose Canyon Trail Head
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Rose Canyon Trailhead
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Linear park featuring fire roads, creeks and bridges, as well as hiking and mountain biking trails along the floor of a canyon.
Rose Canyon Open Space Park
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Rugged venue offering trails, wildlife-viewing & bird-watching among canyons & valleys.
Los Penasquitos Canyon Trailhead
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Starting point for moderate hiking & biking trail across rugged canyon landscape with a parking lot.