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Bernardo Bay Trail San Dieguito River Park 2
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Bernardo Bay Trail – San Dieguito River Park

In This Guide
  • Video and Turn-by-Turn Bernardo Bay Trail Hike Directions
  • Parking For the Bernardo Bay Trail
  • Insider Tips and Recommendations for the Hike
Total Distance2.5 miles (4 km)
Hike Time1-2 Hours (Total)
Difficulty (?)Easy
Total Ascent (?)250 feet (76m)
Highest Elevation410 feet (125m)
Fees & PermitsFree
Dogs AllowedLeashed
Alerts & Closures (?)San Dieguito River Park
Park Phone858-674-2270

The Bernardo Bay Trail in San Dieguito River Park is a natural oasis, just minutes off the I-15 freeway. In this short loop hike on the banks of Lake Hodges, you’ll enjoy great water views, a variety of fauna, and a ton of wildlife. In fact, this whole area is known as a birding hotspot. And while I wouldn’t travel hours to do this hike on its own, its location just off the I-15 makes it a great spot for a quick leg-stretching rest stop.

Where Is the Bernardo Bay Trail?

The Bernardo Bay Trail is located in San Dieguito River Park, next to Lake Hodges, just of I-15 at exit 26. There is an official San Dieguito River Park parking lot by the hike, but it fills up quickly with mountain bikers, locals, and dog walkers. It’s much better to park around the corner at the huge Rancho Bernardo Community Park parking lot. In this guide I’ll start and end the hike from this big lot.

Use this trailhead address:
18448 W Bernardo Drive, San Diego, CA 92127

Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 3
The parking lot at the community park is big and never full.
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There is a porta-potty at the end of the hike in the official San Dieguito River Park parking lot. We’ll pass by it at the end of the hike. If you need to go before starting, stop here on the way to the bigger parking area.

Gear for the Hike

This is a flat and easy hike, and you can probably get away with doing it in any type of clothing. Light hiking gear or fitness clothes work well. There’s no shade on the hike, so bring sun protection. If you have binoculars or a long camera lens, bring them. There’s a lot of wildlife spotting here.

Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 23
This area is a hot spot for birding. Having binoculars will help you spot raptors like this. Lake Hodges, which this hike goes along, was declared a Globally Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society in 1999. Thousands of migratory birds winter here.

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My Goto Hiking Footwear: La Sportiva Wildcat
If you hike a lot or just want the best (but not the most durable) hiking footwear, the Wildcat trail runner is your best move.  It’s fast and light on trails, the sole gives me good grip off-trail or scrambling, and they dry quickly.
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Bang for the buck, you can’t go wrong with this pack. It’s super-lightweight and big enough to carry everything for a day hike, including a water bladder. Every year REI improves this pack and after a few years, it’s really solid in every way. I pack mine in a carry-on when I travel to do hikes on trips. And if you’re into ultralight backpacking, this is also a solid choice.
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Garmin Inreach Mini Beacon

Stay Safe Out of Cell Phone Range
If you’re not familiar with the Garmin InReach technology, it allows you to send and receive text messages where you don’t have cell phone signals. You can also get weather reports and trigger an SOS to emergency responders. Even if you don’t have an emergency, sending a quick message telling a loved one that you’re okay or are running late is well worth the cost. The Garmin InReach Mini (REI | Amazon | My Review) fits in your palm and weighs next to nothing.

Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend, updated December 2020.

My December 2020 Top Gear Picks

No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an a link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps offset website expenses. There is no cost to you.

Bernardo Bay Trail Maps

The trails here are all well-worn and easy to follow. Most trails don’t have signage, but if you follow the directions below, you will be fine.

Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 22
Stay on the trail. This area is a crucial environment for some endangered species, including the California gnatcatcher.
Click Here To View Map

Download the Hike GPX FileView a Printable PDF Hike Map

Fenix 6 Pro

How are you going to navigate this hike?
To start, you should always have a paper map and compass. And it helps to print this guide out or save it on your phone. I highly recommend a GPS as well. I use the Garmin Fenix 6 smart GPS watch ( REI | Amazon | My Review) with maps (or the more affordable  Garmin Instinct). You can also use most smartphones. Check out my navigation recommendations and resources on my top gear picks page for options at all budget levels.

Bernardo Bay Trail San Dieguito River Park 3d Map
There’s some not-so-exciting inland hiking at first, but soon the (clockwise) loop has you hiking on the shoreline of Lake Hodges, which is beautiful.

Bernardo Bay Trail Hike Directions

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Video Directions

Watch This Video In 360/VR Why 360/VR Is Great

Turn by Turn Directions

Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 4
Head down the street from the parking lot, passing the senior center.
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After a few minutes you’ll see this park entrance on the right. Head in and go down the trail to your left.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 1
The trail is narrow, but easy to follow.
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And soon you’ll join a larger trail. Keep left.
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The trail winds its way to the right.
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And at the junction, make the left.
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Avoid any smaller side trails off to the left.
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Soon you’ll see Lake Hodges in front of you.

Lake Hodges is a man-made lake that is used as a reservoir. It’s also home to its own sea monster, Hodgee.

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At the split, head left to take the trail that follows along the lakeside.
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You’ll get some great views on this stretch.
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At the end, rejoin the main trail and keep left.
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From here until the hike nears its end, you’ll be walking along the shoreline.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 16
The lake is a haven for birds, especially migrating ones, and in this section you’ll be close enough to see them.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 17
Stay long the shore as the trail crosses the rocky section.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 18
The shoreline starts to turn to the right.
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At this point there a couple of trails that allow you to access the lakeside. If you want to go down to the water, this is an acceptable place to do so without disturbing any fragile habitat.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 20
The trail turns away from the lake and there’s a junction. Make the left here.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 21
Here’s the sign at that last junction. We’re heading toward the bridge.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 24
The trail rejoins the lake and starts to twist around to the east.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 25
As the trail heads east you have a few small areas of shade.
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Follow the trail along the south shore of the lake.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 27
You’ll be able to see Woodson Mountain in the distance, home of Potato Chip Rock.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 28
When you get to the road, make the right.
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Follow the bike path up the hill.
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And then you’ll reach the official San Dieguito River Park lot. There’s a toilet here. Otherwise continue through to the other end of the parking lot.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 32
At the end of the parking lot, look for this entrance to the trails.
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Go straight past the trail board.
Bernardo Bay Trail Directions 34
And at the first junction, make the left.
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Take the smaller trail back towards the start of the hike.
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And soon you’ll arrive at the parking lot where you started!

Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.

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