Trails

Harbaugh Seaside Trails

TRAIL STATUS: OPEN
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): .5 mile
TIME: 20 minutes at a leisurely pace
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE:
See map 1
See map 2
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT:
Solana Beach Train Station See map
Breeze Bus 101: Schedules
BICYCLES: Yes
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.

Enjoy the views in this Nature Collective land!

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.

Did you know? Nature Collective cares for many of your favorite hikes, like Harbaugh Seaside Trails. We help maintain paths, restore native habitats, remove trash, and share knowledge with the community.

Please donate $2 to keep your beloved experiences protected.

La Orilla Trail
- 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.
Annie’s Canyon Trail
- 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.
Lake Drive Trail
- 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.

Keep an eye out for:

No. 1

Myron + Joan Overlook

which provides expansive views of both the Pacific and the lagoon.

No. 2

Our donor dedication area

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.

No. 3

West Basin outlook + undercrossing

Offering a closer look of the West Basin and passage to the Rios West Trail that connects to the Nature Center Loop Trail.

On your hike, you might see . . .

Native Plant Community at Harbaugh Seaside Trails

Primary plant communities

Find marked paths that highlight 4 plant communities – Diegan Coastal Sage Scrub, Southern Maritime Chaparral, Coastal Strand, and Maritime Succulent Scrub