A bird sitting on a nest of eggs.

Hiking Near Imperial Beach, California

Shorter Routes icon

Shorter Routes

These hikes keep it under 5 miles and climb less than 1,500 feet, making them ideal for quicker outings or lower-key days. Perfect for a morning stretch, a casual afternoon, or getting outside without committing to a big push. Don’t let the stats fool you — many still pack in great views and rewarding moments.

Tijuana River Marsh Loop

Hike Route

Tijuana River Marsh Loop

Birding
easy
2.79 mi
+14 ft
Beach Trail-Monument Loop

Hike Route

Beach Trail-Monument Loop

Birding
easy
3.44 mi
+37 ft
Point Loma Tide Pools

Hike Route

Point Loma Tide Pools

easy
0.49 mi
+82 ft
Cowles Mountain, Golfcrest Drive Trailhead

Hike Route

Cowles Mountain, Golfcrest Drive Trailhead

Views
easy
1.52 mi
+925 ft
Cowles Mountain Backside Loop

Hike Route

Cowles Mountain Backside Loop

Less Crowded
moderate
3.01 mi
+901 ft
Cowles Mountain via Barker Way

Hike Route

Cowles Mountain via Barker Way

Lake
easy
1.57 mi
+868 ft
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Adventurous Routes

These routes go beyond 10 miles and are built for days when you want to cover more ground and push a little deeper. Expect longer distances, more effort, and bigger payoffs — whether that’s remote terrain, summit views, or a full-day challenge. Ideal for hikers looking to go farther and stay out longer.

Mission Trails Loops

Hike Route

Mission Trails Loops

River/Creek
moderate
10.68 mi
+2,083 ft
Hollenbeck Canyon Loop

Hike Route

Hollenbeck Canyon Loop

Views
moderate
12.69 mi
+1,836 ft
Hollenbeck Canyon Perimeter Loop

Hike Route

Hollenbeck Canyon Perimeter Loop

moderate
14.44 mi
+2,184 ft
Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

Hike Route

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

Waterfall
moderate
16.39 mi
+560 ft
Penasquitos Creek Loop

Hike Route

Penasquitos Creek Loop

River/Creek
easy
13.22 mi
+404 ft
Lusardi Creek Loop Trail

Hike Route

Lusardi Creek Loop Trail

Views
moderate
10.07 mi
+1,330 ft

Other Nearby Routes

Not finding what you're looking for? These additional nearby hikes offer more ways to get outside and explore the area. With a mix of lengths, difficulty levels, and terrain, you're likely to find something that fits your plans for the day. And remember, you can always use the onX Route Builder to create your own adventure from scratch.

Tijuana River National Estuary & Coastline

Hike Route

Tijuana River National Estuary & Coastline

Birding
easy
5.14 mi
+0 ft
Three Peak Out-and-Back

Hike Route

Three Peak Out-and-Back

Birding
strenuous
6.02 mi
+1,826 ft
Fortunas Loop CCW from Tierrasanta

Hike Route

Fortunas Loop CCW from Tierrasanta

Views
strenuous
7.1 mi
+1,629 ft
Three Bridges Loop to Los Penasquitos Canyon

Hike Route

Three Bridges Loop to Los Penasquitos Canyon

Family Friendly
moderate
5.32 mi
+745 ft
Lawson and Gaskill Peaks

Hike Route

Lawson and Gaskill Peaks

Views
strenuous
7.17 mi
+2,732 ft
El Cajon Mountain

Hike Route

El Cajon Mountain

Views
strenuous
5.52 mi
+2,957 ft