Mission Trails Regional Park
When we first moved to San Diego we lived by the beack and it was gorgeous. But when we wanted a little more room than what our 1 bedroom, 1 bath apartment could offer us, we knew we had to move away from the beach. To us it was always important to have nature around us. We love being outside, especially in San Diego where the weather is gorgeous year round. When we first learned of Mission Trails Regional Park and all of the stunning Hiking Routes that it can offer, we knew we wanted to live somewhere around there.
Since our move, Mission Trails Regional Park has become our go to place for quick family walks, longer hikes or just a stroll with the dog. It’s someplace I bring my family and friends when they come to visit San Diego. They all love it. And it’s so family friendly with so many different hikes and path options. Whether you’re ready to get your sweat on or want just a simple stroll with your stroller, Mission Trails Regional Park has everything you need.
Why you should visit Mission Trails Regional Park
There are so many reasons you should visit Mission Trails Regional Park. With it’s 65 miles of trails, laid out across over 8,000 acres, it’s one of the largest regional parks in San Diego County. It offers views of open fields and well as stunning vistas of mountain tops and peaks.
A couple of years back I got hit with a really bad sciatica pain that completely immobilized me for a few months. When I finally started getting better I had to relearn how to walk, literally. It was the scariest thing ever. Luckily, having Mission Trails Regional Park in my backyard proved to be my saving grace. Slowly I started exploring all of the different trails this location has to offer. Starting small with some of the simpler paths surrounding the Visitor Center and the Dam I started gaining strength back in my right leg. As I gained muscle, I explored further.
Never get bored with new paths every day
While going on 2-3 hikes/week I realized this park was much bigger than I originally had expected. Every time I went I could go a new route. Never getting bored. Always with options that would fit my fitness level and my energy.
As I walked around I realized too how perfect it is for familes with kids of any age. It truly is a natural wonderment that we should be so lucky to have in the middle of San Diego.
Challenge yourself with the Mission Trails Regional Park 5 Peak Challenge
Before moving to San Diego, my husband and I weren’t much of hikers. But since moving out here we’ve explored so many amazing parts of San Diego through hiking. We’ve seen views we never would’ve seen otherwise, visited waterfalls and climed mountain tops.
Obviously when I heard about the 5 Peak Challenge at Mission Trails Regional Park I knew I had to try it out. It’s seemed like such a cool thing to do and accomplish. Especially after the ordeal I had to go through with my sciatica. So I got to training.
What is the 5 Peak Challenge?
Ok, but what is the 5 Peak challenge? It’s a challenge where you hike the 5 peaks of Mission Trails Regional Park. You can do it in a day (for those super active and fit peoples), or you can do it over an extended period of time. While you used to be able to get a pin and a certificate of completion I think nowadays it’s just more for fun.
I completed the challenge in a week’s time and that was good enough for me. Trying to do it in a day seemed like an impossible feat for someone like me. But in a week it was completely doable. A few of the hikes we combined together. For example, we did Cowles and Pyles in one day because the only way to get to Pyles is by climbing Cowles. And we also combined North and South Fortuna in one day. In total we went on 4 hikes in that one week (Sunday – Saturday). I have to say it felt amazing taking pictures at each peak after each climb. Maybe one day I’ll take my little babe with me and do it again!
Outdoor 6 month sitter session in Mission Trails
Sitter sessions are some of my favorite types of baby photos. I usually schedule them when baby is 6-7 months old and can sit unassisted. Most of my sessions take place at my photo studio in La Mesa, but every once in a while I get to do them outdoors and Mission Trails is one of my favorite spots to shoot at. There are so many beautiful trails to photograph at and works for any type of session.
Beautiful Maternity Pictures in Meadow
Maddy and I met when I first moved to San Diego. She’s a fellow Sweden, but born and raised in South Sweden, where they speak almost like the dance, with hot potatoes in their mouths!!! Obviously kidding (I think), but they do have a completely different accent than we do in middle of Sweden.
The meadows of Mission Trails Regional Park served as the perfect backdrop for this stunning sunset Maternity Session here in San Diego. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed shooting them.
Cake Smash Pictures Outdoors at Mission Trails
Ya’ll, I think my new favorite thing are OUTDOOR CAKE SMASH PICTURES!! I mean come on, how adorable are these one year portraits at Mission Trails? Yes, it gets a little messy with the cake, and the grass, and the dirt, but that’s what so fun and cute about it.
And how can you NOT say awwwwwww to that face and those gorgeous eyes? I’m so happy Alina and her dads came back to me for her one year cake smash pictures.