Lake Hodges Waterfall
3 Reviews
Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
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18295 Moon Song Ct
San Diego, CA` 92127
Waterfall:Â Â 33.044995, -117.088197Â Â Trailhead:Â 33.039904, -117.088240
Hike: .6 miles   Level of Difficulty: Easy
Dog-Friendly: Yes  Kid-Friendly: Yes
About the Lake Hodges Waterfall
This whole area is extremely peaceful with plenty of native plants and signs identifying them and their uses. The Lake Hodges Waterfall is not huge by any means, but still worth visiting and perhaps having a picnic at!
The view is very nice from this spot. There is a huge lake and a variety of birds. Make sure to visit the waterfall in late winter/early spring after we’ve gotten enough rain for the waterfall to be at its strongest!
The photos I am providing below are of a day when we went hiking in the rain! Â I wouldn’t necessarily suggest doing this as rain hikes are not for everyone. Â It gives you such a surreal perspective though and you will usually have the trails entirely to yourself. Â It felt magical out there.
We have found many interesting points of interest in this area including multiple waterfalls, caves, a dam, an old rock quarry used to construct the dam and more!  Out of all the lakes in San Diego, I would have to say this one is my favorite just because of all the hidden gems we have  unfolded!
This is a sign made for Chelsea King, who was tragically murdered on this hiking trail back in 2010. Â Her body was found near the shore off a secluded path. Â Make sure to hike safely, especially if you are a female. Â Do not hike alone!
There’s the waterfall! Â You unfortunately cannot get near it anymore unless you want to risk a hefty fine! Â When we were teenagers we would hang out right on those rocks:
Alexander
Except from the trail that connects to the upper Piedras Pintadas trail, the waterfall and surrounding area is completely off limits. There are big signs posted all around that it is a conservation area, and that “violators will be prosecuted to the full extend of the law”, with fines of up to $10,000.
August 16, 2013
Anonymous
Is tht where the body was found?
January 15, 2014
Matt
Went there a lot over the years and one day in 2015 we found a police camera, and now ever since there are signs warning that cameras are in use, should probably change to no tresspassing zone on your site.
January 24, 2016