Balboa’s Bridle Trail

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About the Bridle Trail

Sadly this trail is not like what it looks like in these photos anymore. In fact, I may have to add it to my lost history section at this point due to how much death has occurred of these beautiful redwood trees. How did they survive for so many years up until this point?  They seemed to be thriving in even 2013!  I am lost.

The Bridle Trail really came as a surprise to me the first time I stumbled upon it around 2010. Basically being located in the heart of the city, one would not expect to fall upon a grove of redwood trees in Balboa Park!

These trees are said to have been planted during the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. I have loved this trail for so many reasons: the tranquility, unique beauty to San Diego, the flower fields in the springtime, fresh air. It all evokes clarity and peace of mind.

While you’re in the area, make sure to visit the Marston House & Garden nearby!

Unfortunately over the years the Bridle Trail has changed significantly. Redwood trees were never meant to live in a desert climate and I’m surprised they survived as long as they did.  At this point most of trees have either died and were chopped down, or are dying.  It’s been a very hard thing to watch.

I would not recommend hiking this trail alone as you will occasionally come across a suspicious person or two. The canyons of Balboa are notorious for lewd activities, such as sexual assaults and drugs.

One of my followers, Ron May, had to say this about the area in the 1950’s: “Back in 1957, the neighbor girl invited me to go riding and so we were driven to the stable down where Fashion Valley is now (where the ball park was before Fashion Valley) and the stable hands helped me on a very mellow horse. My neighbor lady was a skilled horseman and just wanted company. She led me down into Mission Valley and onto what became the trail that you call “Bridle Trai;l” and probably was in my time. I distinctly recall a beautiful ride through dense vegetation, tall trees, and the muffled sound of vehicles off in the distance. I vaguely recall she said the trail was 5 miles. We ended up at another stable (Obliterated by I-5 years later). The stable hands would care for the horses and arrange for them to be taken back to the Northern stable. So, the part of your post that was not explained is there were stables at each end of the trail, at least in the 1950s.”

How to get here

This trail is located west of Route 163 in Balboa Park, and in fact, during parts of the trail you will walk right alongside the freeway and underneath the Cabrillo bridge!

The hike is actually right along the freeway much of the time:

One day there was a bird here that I swear escaped from the zoo which is right next door!