What exactly is an urban hike? It’s basically a trek through your city, but with a fancy name and a sightseeing goal (e.g., to see famous landmarks) instead of a step count. No need to drive to a far-flung trail or mountain. Just lace up your sneakers and head out to your nearest urban landmark.

While some practitioners like to aimlessly wander, I think it’s better to have a destination in mind and a route planned out. My ideal is to walk some streets that connect to one of San Diego’s many canyon trails to explore further. If you’re down to try an urban hike, here are three you should check out:

Urban Hike: Balboa Park Trails

This urban park is a vast network of trails for you to explore. If you live anywhere in the neighboring areas, you can start out by walking on streets and sidewalks until you get to the park. Then join up with the nearest trail. Some good options to try include the Florida Canyon Trail, the Bridle Trail, or the Morley Field Trail. If you hike Florida Canyon, you’ll feel a bit like you’re out in nature, not in the middle of an urban park, with wide views of the less developed parts of the park. 

Bridle Trail goes right along the 163 and has some steep hills to climb, but also feels like a secret pathway through the heart of the park. Morley Field is flatter and an easier trek, and will take you past sights like the velodrome, dog park, and fields. This map has the details, and you can also consult maps along trails in the park.

Urban Hike: Mission Gorge Trails

Tucked away behind the Del Cerro neighborhood is a great network of trails for you to explore—a serene, still-wild space not far from a developed neighborhood. You’re surrounded by native plants and can hear the birds all around you. These trails are mostly flat, but you’ll have to tackle steep climbs to get into and out of the canyon. Some parts are also a little rough and rocky, so it might be better to throw on your hiking shoes instead of normal sneakers, though both would be fine. 

If you do the entire stretch of trails, it’s about three miles, plus whatever you walked to get there. Get to Margerum Avenue or Conestoga Court however you can and then hike the trail that connects the two. If you want to keep going past Margerum Avenue, there are other trails that lead you up into the Del Cerro neighborhood. This map has the details.

Urban Hike: San Diego Bayfront Walk

If you are looking for ocean views and breezes in your San Diego hike, try walking the waterfront. You can go all the way from the Convention Center, through Seaport Village, past the county waterfront park and even past the airport to Shelter Island. The full walk is six miles one-way, so if you go out and back you’ll rival those urban hike TikTok influencers. There will be nice, cool air all along the way; plenty of people watching opportunities; and chances to stop and get a snack. Try Carnitas Snack Shack along the harbor or Ketch Grill and Taps once you make it to Shelter Island.

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Fresh Glass Fest

Fresh Glass Fest

September 1 – October 16

Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical

Coming to the Old Globe Theatre beginning this Thursday, Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical tells the story of Simran, a young Indian American woman, and her exciting summer in Europe. Love and tradition clash as Simran’s own interests go against her family’s wish for an arranged marriage as the story takes her from Boston to Europe to India. This stage musical adaptation of the 1995 musical romance film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge promises lots of fun plus all new songs created just for the stage. | 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park

September 3

Farewell to Summer Arts Festival

End your summer on a high note with this free arts festival at the City Heights Performance Annex put on by Teatro San Diego. The festival will include various food trucks, games, interactivity booths and performances from various community artists as well as performances from Teatro SD’s performing arts students. | 3795 Fairmount Avenue, City Heights

Julian Grape Stomp Fiesta

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, Julian’s Menghini Winery will be hosting the town’s annual Julian Grape Stomp Fiesta where visitors can participate in the old-world tradition of squishing grapes with their feet. There will also be several food and shopping options as well as live music. Regular admission tickets are $20 and include a wine glass and stomping, while reserved shaded seating is $30. Tastings cost $1 each and are separate from the price of admission. | 1150 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian

Lil Jon at Parq Nightclub

Atlanta hip-hop party pioneer Lil Jon will be making an appearance at Parq Nightclub this Saturday night at 10 p.m. The music legend, known for hits like “Bia’, Bia’” “Get Low” and “Lovers and Friends,” has had a significant impact on club music in the Dirty South and nationwide since the early ‘90s. Now after performing in clubs for decades and as a resident DJ in Las Vegas, he’ll be making a rare performance in SoCal and you won’t want to miss it. | 615 Broadway, Downtown

BOARDED! A New Pirate Adventure

The San Diego Maritime Museum is bringing back its interactive pirate-themed live show for a second performance date this year with two shows this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Guests in the crowd will be taught the ins and outs of the at-sea lifestyle as they become a member of the pirate’s crew and go on various adventures. Tickets for adults are $60 and $25 for children 12 and under. Online sales have closed but walkup tickets are still available until they sell out. | 1492 North Harbor Drive, Embarcadero

September 3-4

Jazz at the Creek 2022

The 11th Annual Jazz at the Creek reins in Labor Day Weekend at the Market Creek Plaza Amphitheater with a theme of “We Are One.” Saturday’s “Grown Folks Music” will be headlined by jazz band Pieces of a Dream while Sunday’s “Sophisticated Soul” will be headlined by jazz singer/songwriter Will Downing. Hosted by local radio personalities Kelly Cole and John Phillips, spend your weekend listening to intimate jazz performances from 2-7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. | 310 Euclid Ave, Lincoln Park

September 4

Swedish House Mafia

Swedish house music supergroup Swedish House Mafia continues their recent run of appearances with a concert Sunday night at Pechanga Arena. Known for their exhilarating and visually stunning live shows, the group is touring for the release of their debut album “Paradise Again” in April, which featured appearances from the Weeknd, A$AP Rocky, Ty Dolla Sign and more. This is the group’s first large-scale tour since their hiatus in 2013 and after blowing fans away at Coachella earlier this year, San Diego EDM fans should expect a massive performance. | 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway

Fresh Glass Fest 2

To commemorate the upcoming KPBS series “Fresh Glass,” debuting on September 15, the festival highlighting San Diego’s women and BIPOC food and alcohol innovators returns for another year. The festival, hosted at the California Center for the Arts Escondido, will also feature DJ’s spinning throughout the day, and a live performance from Kendrick Dial & The Lyrical Groove. General admission tickets are $125 and come with admission, a tasting wristband with ten tastings, a Fresh Glass souvenir cup and bag. | 340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido

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Eppig Brewing host their 5th annual Red, Ride & Brews group bike ride this 4th of July

Eppig Brewing

Fireworks are finally back across most of San Diego, and this Independence Day is poised to explode with events all over the county. Whether you prefer to imbibe at a backyard barbecue or hit the town to watch fireworks over a pint, here’s where to get your hops this 4th of July.

July 3: Get Started Early In North County

Join My Yard Live in San Marcos to celebrate their third anniversary from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. This all-ages extravaganza promises axe-throwing, mechanical bull riding, and of course plenty of tasters from local favorites like The Lost Abbey, Black Plague Brewing, Setting Sun Sake, Henebery Spirits, and more. Tickets available here.

July 3: Stock Up Ahead of Time

July 3 is National Independent Beer Run Day (yes, it’s a thing). Stock up your coolers with your favorite local craft beers from independent breweries and retailers, and share your haul on social media using the hashtag #BeerRunDay.

July 4: Party On The Waterfront

Head to Eppig Brewing’s Waterfront Biergarten in Point Loma at 10 a.m. for their 5th annual Red, Ride & Brews group bike ride. Two routes for the hour-long ride are available for varying skill levels, and participation gets you $1 off Eppig beers, plus you’ll be right on time for the 11 a.m. kickoff of Red, White & Brews celebration. The event goes until 10 p.m. with plenty of beer specials, tasty barbecue, and a killer view of the Big Bay Boom fireworks show.

July 4: Drinking Downtown

The Padres take on the Seattle Mariners at 3:40pm at Petco Park, and there are plenty of places to pregame beforehand. Half Door Brewing Company, Ale Tales, Mission Brewery, Amplified Ale Works, and WestBrew are all walking distance from the ballpark. Be sure to stick around for stadium fireworks after the game!

July 4: Marching Through Julian

The annual Julian Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. with a flyover of several World War II-era biplanes, and additional festivities include a pie-eating contest, raffles, and plenty of live music. (Due to elevated fire risk, Julian does not have a fireworks display.) Be sure to stop by local watering holes like Nickel Beer Company, The Pub at Lake Cuyamaca, and Julian Beer Company for craft beer or, in true Julian fashion, try some cider at nearby favorites Calico Cidery or Storum Ranch.

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