Today on the coast: 88°F, sunny (National Weather Service). Hike early or near sunset and carry more water than you think.
- Closest to Fletcher Cove: Harbaugh Seaside Trails, 0.6 miles away.
- Longest: La Orilla Trail, 1.65 miles.
- Steepest for its length: Annie's Canyon Trail, rising about 132 feet in 0.24 miles.
- All together: 14 active trails, about 9.6 miles.
Every active trail
| Trail | Length | Rises | Nearest trailhead (directions) | Trailhead from Fletcher Cove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Orilla Trail | 1.65 mi | 55 ft | La Orilla | 2.3 mi |
| Rios Trail | 1.52 mi | 50 ft | Rios | 0.9 mi |
| Pole Road Trail | 1.22 mi | 46 ft | Rios | 0.9 mi |
| Stonebridge Trail | 0.93 mi | 18 ft | Santa Helena | 1.9 mi |
| Solana Hills Trail | 0.81 mi | 259 ft | Solana Hills | 1.1 mi |
| Nature Center Loop | 0.68 mi | 17 ft | Nature Center | 1.5 mi |
| Lake Trail | 0.59 mi | 146 ft | Lake Drive | 2.0 mi |
| Harbaugh Seaside Trails | 0.51 mi | 20 ft | Harbaugh Seaside Trails | 0.6 mi |
| Santa Helena Trail | 0.48 mi | 87 ft | Santa Helena | 1.9 mi |
| Santa Carina Trail | 0.41 mi | 83 ft | Santa Carina | 1.7 mi |
| Annie's Canyon Trail | 0.24 mi | 132 ft | Annie's Canyon Trail | 1.1 mi |
| Holmwood Trail | 0.23 mi | 123 ft | Holmwood | 0.9 mi |
| Western Slopes Lake Trail - Caltrans | 0.22 mi | 89 ft | Via Poco | 1.6 mi |
| Santa Inez Trail | 0.09 mi | 20 ft | Santa Inez | 1.4 mi |
Trails and trailheads from the Nature Collective's public trail map data (last updated Oct 2022); only trails it marks active. Length is measured along the mapped trail; "rises" is the difference between its highest and lowest points (USGS elevation). Distance to the trailhead is a straight line. Check posted signs for closures and rules.
Pair it with
- Getting there: bike rides from Fletcher Cove (San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center is one).
- The heat: UV by the hour · sunset · Cool Zones (the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center is one).
- Ice and cold drinks at the trailhead for after the hike, dropped at a lagoon trailhead on the Solana Beach or Cardiff side: $35 a stop plus the ice at the store's price. Ice delivery · Text PJ.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
What is the longest trail at San Elijo Lagoon?
La Orilla Trail, about 1.65 miles, per the Nature Collective's trail map data.
How many trails are at San Elijo Lagoon?
The Nature Collective's map lists 14 active trails, about 9.6 miles in all.
Where does Annie's Canyon Trail start?
The nearest mapped trailhead is Annie's Canyon Trail. The trail is about 0.24 miles and rises about 132 feet.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.