Harbaugh Seaside Trails
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): .5 mile
TIME: 20 minutes at a leisurely pace
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT:
Solana Beach Train Station See map
Breeze Bus 101: Schedules
PARKING: Closest parking is at Seaside State Beach: Wander south from the beach parking lot to a crosswalk on Solana Vista Dr. Then, cross Highway 101 and head north along the Solana Beach Rail Trail to the property.
TERRAIN: A flat wide path. The wave-style trail is accessible from Coast Highway 101’s Rail Trail in Solana Beach to the overlook deck at the northern end of the property.
Explore this 3-acre coastal overlook at the gateway between Cardiff-by-the-Sea + Solana Beach. Cherished for its open space and expansive marine views, Harbaugh Seaside Trails is ideal for dog walking, sunset watching, and peaceful contemplation in nature.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 2 miles
TIME: 40 minutes
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset (both for trail and parking lot)
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Horses + leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: La Orilla Trailhead Rancho Santa Fe, CA See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: None available.
PARKING: Small dirt parking lot with roughly 8 spots, along El Camino Real.
TERRAIN: Uneven, including erosion-control stairs on steep sections.
DIFFICULTY: Easy (with strenuous portions)
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 2 miles
TIME: 60 minutes
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome, except in the slot canyon portion.
ENTRANCE: Via Poco Trailhead See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Solana Beach Transit See map
PARKING: Parking at The San Elijo Activity Hub Park & Ride. Please utilize waste and recycling containers at the trailhead.
TERRAIN: Paved and flat for the beginning portion, transitioning into loose sand and uneven terrain.
The slot canyon’s vertical, narrow areas could aggravate claustrophobia. On the slot canyon path, there are ladder-style stairs, and on the switchback approach, you encounter wooden-plank stairs. At certain points, you need to scramble (aka use your hands + feet to propel yourself up).
Note some soil erosion on the descending trail from Annie’s Canyon viewpoint and some stairs
The slot canyon’s vertical, narrow areas could aggravate claustrophobia. On the slot canyon path, there are ladder-style stairs, and on the switchback approach, you encounter wooden-plank stairs. At certain points, you need to scramble (aka use your hands + feet to propel yourself up). Be prepared for a steep climb on the return journey to the Solana Hills trailhead.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 1.3 miles (to hilltop overlook and back)
TIME: 40 min
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: Near the intersection of Sea Village Way + Lake Dr (Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA) See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Highway 101 + Chesterfield (Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA) See map
PARKING: On-street
TERRAIN: Details TBD – will include some stairs and inclines.
which provides expansive views of both the Pacific and the lagoon.
recognizes some of the 1200 people who helped save this spot from becoming a hotel, including the late George + Betty Harbaugh, whose charitable foundation donated $1.1 million and secured the naming rights to the property.
Offering a closer look of the West Basin and passage to the Rios West Trail that connects to the Nature Center Loop Trail.
Find marked paths that highlight 4 plant communities – Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub, Southern Maritime Chaparral, Coastal Strand, and Maritime Succulent Scrub
often seen hunting for small fish and crustaceans along the mudflats in the West Basin.
