Eat

Tierrasanta has its share of sweets, eats, and coffee. After polling neighborhood residents, chef Javier Ugarte transformed his 25-year-old Italian eatery, Andiamo, into the modern gastropub Fifty9Fifty for upscale American fare, 20 rotating taps, and a heated patio.

Fifty9Fifty

Justin Halbert

Just up the road is Tasty Donuts, where the cronut trend is alive and well. The friendly café has been a neighborhood favorite since 1993. Insider tip: The iced coffee at Tasty Donuts won’t get watered down—they use frozen coffee for ice cubes.

Another great morning pick-me-up is Industrial Grind Coffee. This family-owned shop boasts house-roasted beans and chocolate truffles that are almost too pretty to eat… almost.

Industrial Grind Coffee

Justin Halbert

See/Do

In Eurasia, all roads lead to Rome; in Tierrasanta, they lead to Mission Trails Regional Park. Start your 5-Peak Challenge at the eastern terminus of Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and knock out both North and South Fortuna on a 7.6-mile trek. The neighborhood has plenty of other recreational points of interest, plus bike lanes connecting it with its neighbors.

Skateboarders and roller skaters can show off their skills at Damato Park. Those who fare better without wheels can sign up for a music, dance, or fitness class at the Tierrasanta Recreation Center.

Nature buffs can bird-watch in West Shepherd Canyon or hike the shady, chaparral-lined trails of East Shepherd Canyon. The canyon’s native plant markers come courtesy of Girl Scout Troop 3278. The troop also created a detailed guidebook to accompany them.

Neighborhood Guide Tierrasanta / Sign

Justin Halbert

About Those Signs…

You may come across signs warning of possible unexploded ordnance from the land’s former life as a military training ground. Tierrasanta and a portion of Mission Trails were formerly known as Camp Elliott, an artillery range used by the Marine Corps during World War II. The military has done several sweeps in the decades since it was decommissioned to remove any leftover explosives, but the risk of one turning up remains. If you come across any suspicious metal object, don’t touch it; leave a marker nearby and remember its location; and call 911.

Nearby Finds

There are also great food, drink, and recreation options just outside Tierrasanta proper. Bud’s Louisiana Café, a longtime neighborhood haunt and favorite for po’boys, jambalaya, and crawfish étouffée, has a setup just across the 15. Poochie’s Hooch in Allied Gardens serves up cider on two dog-friendly patios, and San Diego Brewing Co. has 50 taps to sample from.

Poochie’s Hooch

Justin Halbert

San Diegans on this side of town needn’t travel far to tee off, either: the Navy-owned Admiral Baker Golf Course is open to the public, offering two 18-hole courses and a short-game area.

Mission Trails Regional Park

Justin Halbert

The post San Diego Neighborhood Guide: Tierrasanta appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Morning Hikes / Illustration

Illustration by Virginia Brown

Tierrasanta

North and South Fortuna Trails

7.6 miles out and back, challenging

Dog friendly, free parking

These are lesser-known and lesser-visited peaks in Mission Trails Regional Park, so you are likely to get quieter and more peaceful hikes. Start at the West Fortuna Staging Area on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and follow the trail to South Fortuna, then take the Fortuna Saddle to North Fortuna, turn around, and head back. The trail will take you to the top of both mountains, so you can brag that you bagged two of the park’s five peaks. When you’re done, refuel with coffee and baked goods at Industrial Grind Coffee (6020 Santo Road, Tierrasanta), or for more carbs and protein, get sushi and rice bowls at Edamami in the same business park (5950 Santo Road, Tierrasanta).

Morning Hikes / North and South Fortuna Trails

Dewey Keithly

San Carlos

Rancho Mission Canyon

3.3 miles for the loop, moderate

Dog friendly, free parking

This trail takes you through hidden canyons in the Allied Gardens neighborhood—it’s not very well known, so you can hopefully enjoy some solitude as you walk! Start at the parking lot on Margerum Avenue. Follow the trail north until it comes out on Hemingway Avenue, then take neighborhood streets to pick up the trail again at the end of Cabaret Street and return to where you started. Along the way, take in views of rolling hills that you’d never expect to find in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Afterward, get Elvis Pancakes (banana, chocolate chips, and peanut butter) or choose from a wide variety of waffles, scrambles, and Benedicts at the diner The Trails Eatery (7389 Jackson Drive, San Carlos).

Escondido

Daley Ranch

2.2 miles for the loop, easy

Dog friendly, stroller friendly, free parking

This is an easy hike in North County that’s great for bringing the kids along, with other trail options if you want to add distance. Start at the parking lot on La Honda Drive and follow the Ranch House Trail to the East Ridge loop. You’ll pass Middle Pond along the way. Take the kids for curbside pickup at J&M’s Family Restaurant (1215 East Valley Parkway, Escondido). Or get Chinese takeout at Bamboo House (320 North Midway Drive, Escondido).

The post 3 Morning Hikes to Start Your Day on the Right Foot appeared first on San Diego Magazine.