Camino Ruiz Trail
6 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!
11489 Camino Ruiz
San Diego, CA 92126
Phone: (858) 538-8122
32.933275, -117.146031
Hike:1.2 miles round trip, but intersects with other trails  Level: Moderate
Dog-Friendly: Yes   Kid-Friendly: Yes
About the Camino Ruiz Trail
The Camino Ruiz Trail is a truly beautiful hike. The whole hike down the hill is canopied with trees keeping the heat out and giving a nice, surreal touch. I haven’t seen any other hikes quite like this one. The one downside is the canopy seemed to keep fresh air out, making it quite dusty. It affected me and I woke up sick the next day. Anyway, below is the Rancho Penasquitos Preserve where you can find all types of fun things to explore such as the Rancho Penasquitos Waterfall, the Rancho Adobe House, Eichars Grave and other suspicious ruins we have yet to identify.
While you’re in the area, make sure to hike the Rancho PQ Trans County Trail nearby!
This is a great way to access the canyon for you Mira Mesa folks. A secret spot indeed! I’ve hung out at this park multiple times and never once noticed the trail. Once we spotted it we headed down within the next few weeks. What a fun adventure!
The trailhead is in Mira Mesa at Camino Ruiz Park:
The entire is trail is pretty much canopied by trees:
She was scared of the bridge 😛
That is an entire field of poison oak! Best staying on the trail!
Cassidy
I used to work nearby here, definitely a nice canyon. Lots of poison oak though.
March 11, 2015
Adam
Tried to go today. Closed by the city.
August 30, 2015
Ben
Is it still closed up?
January 29, 2016
Go kill yourself
Holy love I went there too
October 17, 2017
Gumaro Lopez Jr
Awesome trails, nice little waterfall at the end, nice spot to do a little bit of bouldering.
November 23, 2020
Me
The start of the trail by the park was a little difficult with two big dogs but it spaces out towards the end. Had to go back because there were a lot more dogs later in the afternoon but it’s a pretty cool little trail. Going again this morning to check out the waterfall!
October 29, 2022