With exotic wildflowers, panoramic mountain views, and the kind of quiet you rarely find near San Diego, The Big Laguna Trail is worth the drive up to Pine Valley. It’s located 13 miles north of I-8 on Sunrise Highway, and the 10-mile loop takes you through oak and pine woodlands, open meadows, and during certain seasons, a clear blue lake. The trail gets good use and is well maintained, which means it’s in decent shape but still feels like you’ve escaped the crowds.

Dogs handle this one well since it’s open to them along with horses, mountain bikes, and hikers. The terrain gets rocky in sections and has some solid elevation changes, so it’s more of a workout than a casual stroll. If the full loop feels too ambitious, you can bail onto the Blue Jay or Falcon trails partway through and head back to the campground for an easier exit. Just stick to Big Laguna itself if you want to avoid accidentally wandering onto the Pacific Crest Trail, which is considerably more demanding.

You don’t need a permit to hike here, but you will need a Forest Adventure Pass for your vehicle. They’re $5 per day or $30 per year and available at Cleveland National Forest offices, REI, or Big 5. To reach the upper trailhead, drive north on Sunrise Highway from I-8 past Pine Valley and look for the paved turnouts on either side of the highway just past the second cattle guard at about 13.5 miles. The Big Laguna trailhead access is from the western turnout—follow the Nobel Canyon trail about 100 yards until you hit the Big Laguna junction, which is marked with a small sign. The other end connects to the Pacific Crest Trail near Laguna Station, the Forest Service fire station.