Par Four Trail

This is a fairly easy 3.3-mile loop through a lesser-known part of San Diego National Wildlife Refuge just east of State Highway 94 and just south of the Sweetwater River. There is only 164 feet of elevation change, but some of the views are quite good. As the name suggests, there is a nearby golf course. (There is also an area that looks like the remains of an abandoned golf course.)

Leashed dogs are allowed.

We've done this hike before, most recently on February 3, 2026. For more information, including some pictures, see www.meetup.com/sandiegodayhikers/events/313138372

We'll meet at 9:15 AM and step off at 9:30 AM at the refuge entrance at the west end of Par Four Drive. (N 32 44.332 W 116 55.144) There are no rest rooms.

SUGGESTED ROUTE FROM SAN DIEGO: Go east on California Highway 94 to Jamacha Junction. Continue straight ahead 0.85 miles on Jamacha Rd. Turn right on Willow Glen Rd., go 0.77 miles and turn right again on Steele Canyon Rd. Cross the Steele Canyon Golf Course and then turn right on Par Four Dr. Go all the way to the end of the street and park.

We will hike all the way to Highway 94, just across the road from the trailhead for another hike. We won't cross the highway or the river. A somewhat shorter version of this hike appears in Alltrails and in a column in the San Diego Union on December 23, 2023.

The trail is mostly unshaded, but there is a shaded part near the Sweetwater River.

Wear suitable layered clothing and good hiking shoes, take water, and use sun protection. No lunch stop is planned, but you might want to take a snack. Take a camera if you wish.

CONTACT: Philip Erdelsky, cell 619-866-8512 E-mail [email protected]