San Diego Hikes: Goodan Ranch in Sycamore Canyon
Sycamore Canyon County Preserve is 2,272 acre open space park operated by San Diego County. There are many hiking opportunities in the area, but a highlight is the short hike to the 325-acre Goodan Ranch.
- Starting Point: Goodan Ranch Staging Area, 16281 Sycamore Canyon Rd, Poway, CA 92064
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Elevation: 200 foot gain and loss
- Type: out-and-back
Goodan Ranch was a working ranch that was established from a former community called Stowe. Stowe was established in the late 1800s, but closed down in the early 20th century as nearby communities like Poway began to grow. The Goodan family bought the land as part of the 325-acre Goodan Ranch.
The original Stone House on the ranch was burned in the devastating 2003 Cedar Fire. However, next to this site, a 3,000 square foot visitor’s center was opened in 2007 (4 years to the day after the fire). The visitor’s center is about a mile hike down a dirt road.
This hike is the most direct route to the Goodan Ranch visitors center. However, there are over 10 miles of trails in Sycamore Canyon County Preserve and a visit can definitely be combined with longer hikes.
Sycamore Canyon County Preserve has two access areas. There is an easy to miss turnoff from the busy highway 67. The more direct route for this hike is from the Goodan Ranch Staging Area.
The Goodan Ranch Staging Area is toward the end of Poway where Poway Road curves to the left heading uphill and Garden Road bears to the right at a 7-Eleven. Heading down Garden Road, Sycamore Canyon Road will be on the right. Sycamore Canyon Road ends at the Goodan Ranch Staging Area.
Note on many maps it looks like Sycamore Canyon Road is directly accessible from Scripps Poway Road. There is an exit ramp, but it has been closed for some time. You can NOT access Sycamore Canyon Road from Scripps Poway Road.
There is parking in a dirt lot at Goodan Ranch Staging Area. From here it is a one-mile walk downhill to Goodan Ranch. A longer trail off to the left will also lead to the ranch.
The hike to the visitor’s center is straight forward down the dirt road. After about a half-mile you will officially enter the Goodan Ranch. The entrance is marked by a sign and a half-buried cattle guard. The ranch was active until 1991.
The visitor’s center sits directly across the burned remains of the old Goodan Ranch stone house which was built in 1937. There are restrooms, exhibits and a history of the park. There are also regular interpretive programs about the animals and plants of the area.
The hike to Goodan Ranch is a great family activity. It is a short hike with a “reward” at the end with the visitor’s center. It is free, there are picnic tables and a place to refill your water.
For the more adventurous you can check out some of our longer hikes.
Official Site for Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch
Friends of Goodan Ranch and Sycamore Canyon
Note that the area directly west of Sycamore Canyon is part of Mission Trails Regional Park. This 1,128 area known as West Sycamore has an additional 7 miles of trails.
Go here for our guide to top 10 San Diego Hikes
