Just past Calle Ambiente on Del Dios Highway, a driveway beside Paradise Produce Market drops down to a gravel lot and a trail kiosk. This is the Santa Fe Valley Staging Area at 8175 Del Dios Hwy. From the kiosk, one trail runs west along the San Dieguito River and the other runs east toward Lake Hodges.
The lake itself closed for the season at the start of November. From now through January, the best way to spend time near the water is on foot, by bike or on horseback, and the trails start at this lot.
The lake is on its winter schedule, and the water is staying low
The City of San Diego opens Hodges Reservoir for recreation on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from February through October. It is closed November through January and also closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
The reopening in February will look different from older lake seasons. A state restriction holds the reservoir at or below an elevation of 280 feet. According to the City's Hodges Reservoir and Dam FAQ, that limit means the boat ramp is closed to private launches. The City's water-level table shows why. The ramp needs an elevation of at least 292 feet to operate. As of the City's Nov. 2, 2026 update, Hodges held 2,737.1 acre-feet, about 9% of capacity, at a depth of 69 feet.
That low level is set to continue. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Oct. 28 that the City plans to lower the dam's spillway from 315 feet to 280 feet. The project is estimated to cost $30 million to $50 million, and construction would likely begin in 2030. The paper also noted that civic groups, including Friends of Lake Hodges, would rather see a higher water level for recreation.
The trails around the lake run on their own schedule. The City's FAQ says the Coast to Crest Trail on the north side of the reservoir is managed by the San Dieguito River Park and is open year-round for hiking.
The trail along the Crosby course starts outside the gates
The Santa Fe Valley segment of the Coast to Crest Trail follows the San Dieguito River right beside the Crosby Estates golf course. Per the San Dieguito River Park's trails management plan, public access comes from the Santa Fe Valley Staging Area or from the trail segment that runs east from Lake Hodges. There is no public trail entrance through a Crosby gate. The park's trail map also notes that private land inside the planning area is not open to the public without the owner's permission.
The park's trail directory lists the Santa Fe Valley segment at 2.9 miles, rates it moderate, and opens it to hikers, runners, cyclists and horses. The staging area has gravel parking by the kiosk and no facilities, so plan for restrooms and water before you go. Its winter hours, from Oct. 1 through March 31, are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Under the park's general rules, dogs stay on leash and the trails are day-use only. From October through March, trail hours across the park are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park also asks visitors to wait 48 hours after rain before using saturated trails, to avoid damaging them.
East from the same kiosk, Del Dios Gorge heads to the lake
The second trail from the kiosk is the Del Dios Gorge segment. The directory lists it at 2.27 miles, rated moderate, and open to the same mix of hikers, runners, cyclists and horses. The trail follows the river upstream and links the Santa Fe Valley segment to the Lake Hodges trails, so a walk that starts at the produce market can end with a view of the reservoir.
Del Dios Highlands Preserve, the County option
Just up the highway, the County's Del Dios Highlands Preserve at 9860 Del Dios Highway in Escondido offers a shorter outing. Its 1.5 miles of trail are open to hikers, runners, mountain bikers and riders on horseback. The site is open from 8 a.m. until one hour before sunset, and pedestrians can enter from sunrise to sunset. The preserve runs on different rules from the river park. The County's park notices page says the staging area may close during or after storms and asks visitors to call the park office for current conditions.
Across the water, the bridge keeps later hours
Past Del Dios, the Coast to Crest Trail runs along the north shore of the lake. The directory lists the North Shore route at 7.65 miles, rated moderate, for hikers, runners, cyclists and horses. The trails management plan describes it running from Lake Hodges Dam east to Sikes Adobe, with access to the David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge along the way.
The park's directions for the North Shore start at the Rancho Drive Parking Area. Enter at the sharp bend near the bottom of the hill, across from Hernandez Hideaway; the trail begins at the kiosk in the northeast corner. Those directions say the paved lot follows the lake's February through October schedule and describe dirt parking outside the gate that stays available year-round. Check the current parking notes before making a winter trip.
On the far side, the Kreitzer bridge is 0.19 miles long and open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., three hours past the 6 p.m. winter close at the staging lots. Horses are not allowed on the bridge. The bridge lands near the Bernardo Bay Natural Area Staging Area at 19140 W. Bernardo Dr., next to Rancho Bernardo Community Park. From that lot, Piedras Pintadas starts at the southwest corner and the West Bernardo Drive Bike Path runs along the east side. The directory rates Piedras Pintadas and the Bernardo Bay loops easy, which makes them a good choice for visiting family.
| Trail | Where to park | Listed length | Rating | Horses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Valley | 8175 Del Dios Hwy, by Paradise Produce Market | 2.9 mi | Moderate | Yes |
| Del Dios Gorge | Same kiosk, heading east | 2.27 mi | Moderate | Yes |
| North Shore Lake Hodges | Rancho Drive, across from Hernandez Hideaway | 7.65 mi | Moderate | Yes |
| David Kreitzer bridge | Bernardo Bay lot or North Shore trail | 0.19 mi | Easy | No |
| Piedras Pintadas | 19140 W. Bernardo Dr. | 2.20 mi | Easy | No |
| Bernardo Bay loops | 19140 W. Bernardo Dr. | 1.60 mi | Easy | No |
| West Bernardo Drive Bike Path | 19140 W. Bernardo Dr. | 0.46 mi, paved | Moderate | No |
All of these trails are open to hikers and runners. Lengths and ratings come from the San Dieguito River Park's trail directory.
The calendar runs east to Sikes Adobe
The North Shore route ends at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, 12655 Sunset Drive in Escondido, where most of the river park's events this season take place. These are the remaining dates on the San Dieguito River Park events calendar:
- Nov. 15, 22 and 29, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead tours.
- Nov. 17 and 24: Dust Devils inland trail-maintenance days. The location changes each week, and volunteers get it by email 24 hours ahead.
- Nov. 21, 8 to 11 a.m.: A free Roaming with Rangers walk on Piedras Pintadas, starting from 19140 W. Bernardo Dr. Reservations are encouraged.
- Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: A Day of Art, History & Handmade Treasures at Sikes Adobe.
- Dec. 19, 8 a.m.: The next Roaming with Rangers walk. The location changes each month.
The Nov. 29 Sikes Adobe tour falls on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, which makes it an easy outing for guests who are staying through the holiday weekend. The closest starting point to The Crosby is still the gravel lot beside Paradise Produce Market, which is open until 6 p.m. through the end of March.
How close a Crosby home sits to the Santa Fe Valley staging area or the Del Dios Gorge trail can shape a daily routine. If you'd like to know how trail access and other features affect your home's value, Butler Group Real Estate can walk you through it. Get your free North County home valuation.
