San Diego Hikes: Otay Lakes County Park
The Trail to Bay Challenge is a program operated by the Living Coast Discover Center. This is a great opportunity to explore some hikes in south San Diego County. In late January, Fun Diego Family participated in the hike at Otay Lakes County Park.
UPDATE: With COVID the guided tours are currently on hold. However, it is possible to do these hikes on your own.
- Starting Point: Otay Lakes County Park, 2270 Wueste Rd, Chula Vista
- Length: 1.4 mile
- Elevation: 250 foot gain and loss
- Type: loop
The Trail to Bay Challenge is modeled after the 5-Peak Challenge at Mission Trails Regional Park. By going on 3 hikes and one cleanup, participants get 4 tickets to the discovery center and a “Sustainability Hiking Pack.”
Unlike the 5-Peak Challenge, the hikes at the Trail to Bay Challenge are for all levels. The most difficult hike planned is up Mother Miguel. The Otay Lakes hike we did was not difficult and they even offered the opportunity to a shorter loop. Of course, we did the full hike.
Otay Lakes County Park in eastern Chula Vista was new to us. It is a 78-acre park at the southern end of Lower Otay Lake. The lake is a man-made reservoir built in 1897. The original dam flooded in 1916 and was replaced by the current Savage Dam located right next to Otay Lakes County Park.
The park has full picnic facilities and a nice hiking trail that takes you above the dam for excellent views. Otay Lakes County Park is designed to be the eastern end of the Otay Valley Regional Park. This will be a 13-mile open space that runs along the Otay River from Otay Lakes County Park to the San Diego Bay near the Living Coast Discovery Center.
Parking at Otay Lakes County Park is $3. There is some limited parking outside the gate.
The Trail to Bay Challenge is a guided hike by the Living Coast Discovery. There was a wide age range from young kids to senior citizens. There was always a guide to take people back if they got tired.
Our hike was a loop up to the top of the park and down. The elevation gain was moderate, but perfect to get the blood flowing on a Saturday morning.
Near the top we took a little side trip to look down into to the canyons of Otay Open Space Preserve that overlook the river. This got us intrigued to go back for more exploring. Apparently you can take longer hikes into the canyon.
We plan to complete the Trail to Bay Challenge by the spring of 2020. Right now they have 5 regular locations for hikes. There are also onsite hikes every weekend at the Living Coast Discovery Center. Cleanups are on weekends at several locations.
For full information on the Trail to Bay Challenge be sure and check the website.
For more information about the Living Coast Discovery Center check out our overview.
