Palm Canyon

Beautiful place to relax

This little trail makes me feel like I have temporarily left San Diego and gone to a tropical paradise.
Sure, there are always homeless people camped out here, and people come down here to smoke weed and participate in other illegal activity. In addition, some punks have tagged up the signs and railings here as well… what a shame, SMH.
Despite all the riffraff, I still love using this trail to get from the International Houses over to the lovely Alcazar Garden.

What a great trek. And the smells were fantastic. I need to explore this place again. To know that there are more than one trail like this just excites me!

During my walks along Balboa Park after work, I would sometimes come across this wooden footbridge and staircase across from the Spreckels Organ Pavillion leading downward. I decided to see where they led to yesterday… and was very pleasantly surprised.
Palm Canyon is essentially a mini-​forest of different palm trees lining a hiking path, but as Kristen J. said, it feels like you’re going through a prehistoric jungle. At times, I felt like a T-​Rex was going to crash through the brush! There are plenty of fauna to check out — including the giant tree near the staircase entrance that was overwhelming to see.
Sure, Palm Canyon may be a bit hidden, but as it’s a good hike full of sights — and it’s free (!) — why not check it out next time you’re at Balboa Park?

This is a MUST SEE if you are at Balboa Park. Its as if you are walking through a prehistoric jungle! I loved it and it literally took my breath away.
Highly recommend.