Annie’s Canyon Trail is a unique mix of sandstone cliffs and impressive ocean views

And now for something completely different… have you ever thought about hiking in California? Well, for this desert trekker, finding a slot canyon just off the I-5 between Encinitas and Del Mar was a pleasant surprise! If you ever get a chance to walk through Annie’s Canyon in Solana Beach, do it!

For spring break this year, we ditched the sunshine of southern Utah and explored the beauty and wonder of southern California—with all its spectacular beaches, fun parks… and traffic. Being the outdoorsy types we are, we couldn’t just spend all day wandering the beaches and riding the rides at Knott’s Berry Farm. We had to hike! So, imagine our surprise when we found this almost mysterious slot canyon right off the busy interstate. It blew our minds. It was like the desert Southwest met up with the West Coast and had a baby. A curious combination of lush beachside greenery mixed with rock walls similar to what you’d see on the outskirts of St. George or Zion National Park. Weird!

The hike itself was pretty easy—no more than three miles roundtrip. There are a few ways to get there. We chose the obvious and easy path by parking at the end of Solana Hills Dr. and following the trail down the hill along the edge of the freeway. I admit, I was skeptical at first—the idea of hiking so close to a busy California highway didn’t fit my definition of a good time. But the further I went, the better it got.

After a few ups and downs—and a left turn onto the trail that led to the slot canyon—I felt a little more tuned into nature and a little less aware of the tens of thousands of Tuesday-afternoon commuters.

Eventually, we approached a fork in the trail and veered right (that’s the right way, by the way). It wasn’t long before we arrived at something we canyoneers know quite well: a slot canyon! The lightly colored sandstone walls seemed oddly familiar. Weaving through the maze-like canyon made us feel right at home. We smiled when we reached the steel ladder that helped us scale the steep slope to the top of the slot—maybe 15 to 20 steps in total.

Of course, the experience of exploring a slot canyon isn’t the only benefit of this short hike. The view at the top is just as impressive! To the left, we observed the beautiful Pacific Ocean, the San Elijo Lagoon, and San Elijo State Beach. To the right, we could see the hills of Encinitas (what a pretty place, by the way!). There’s something about the fresh ocean air, mixed with scrub oak, eucalyptus, and palm trees, that just enlivens the mind. No? It’s no wonder so many people choose to live in this beautiful part of the world!

The Pros:
✅ Easy access: Getting to the trailhead along Solana Hills Dr. is easy. There are other ways to get there, but this one seemed the fastest and least intrusive to the neighborhood.
✅ It’s unique: Before visiting the California coast, we tried to find an interesting hiking trail. This was one of the most unique ones we came across. And since it had a slot canyon, we felt right at home!
✅ It’s relaxing: The trail lets you go as hard or easy as you want. It’s a no-pressure kind of hike that allows you to just enjoy being near the ocean.

The Negatives:
🚷 It’s busy: As beautiful as the hike was, it was hard to ignore the fact that you’re literally walking on the side of a busy interstate. Plus, it’s apparently a popular hike among the locals. If you’re looking for seclusion, this isn’t the right hike for you.
🚫 The graffiti: One thing I couldn’t help but notice—some so-called nature lovers just couldn’t resist leaving their mark, literally, scrawling their names on the canyon walls like it was their personal guestbook. Please don’t do that.