Earth Day is an annual global event, celebrated on April 22, that encourages everyone to get outside to appreciate, protect and maintain their natural environment. 

The event was first proposed after the “1969 Santa Barbara oil spill”, where an oil drilling operation off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, ruptured and spilled around four million gallons of crude oil over a period of 10 days. The black oil flooded the water around the drill and made its way to the Santa Barbara beaches, killing thousands of birds, as well as dolphins, seals and sea lions in its path.

The spill received national media attention and quickly drew massive teams of volunteers who worked in various ways to remove the oil from the beach and ocean, while also trying to save any animals still found alive. 

On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held as an international day of appreciation of our natural environment and understanding the importance of preserving it. 

To this day, many take this day to volunteer, pick up trash or to plant trees, but those are just some of the ways to take part in this annual event. I like taking this day to go on a hike along trails with exceptional sights and features, to remind myself of the value of what nature has to offer and the importance of keeping it all alive and well-maintained.

San Diego and its many mountains provide us with a great deal of hiking opportunities, so I will share four of my favorite spots. These trails are listed in order of increasing distance from Grossmont College.

Torrey Pines Beach Trails – Flat Rock (Easy)

Torrey Pines Beach is a nice destination on its own, but for those looking for an adventure before reaching the shore, the Torrey Pines Beach Trails are an amazing place to look. The trails feature multiple paths that take you to different viewpoints along the different peaks of these mountain cliffs, and eventually down to a section of the beach that is usually only occupied by others who hiked there.

The path down to this section of the beach can be reached in multiple ways, such as following the path conveniently labeled “Beach Trail” and following the markers to “Flat Rock,” or, if you are coming from the south end of the trail, by following either Fork Trail and then down the Broken Hill Trail. 

The walk there will let you see large sections of preserved trees and bushes, some brave-but-curious wildlife, and smooth, layered sandstone mountains.

The trail is around three to four miles round trip, depending on where you start, and with some moderate sections of incline, it’s definitely very welcoming and beginner-friendly. Free parking options exist near the trail, but designated trail parking costs between $10 to $25 depending on the day and their “demand-based pricing” system. 

Lawson Peak (Hard)

Lawson Peak is a destination that, while physically gorgeous, carries an additional layer to its appeal in its frequent solitude. The trailhead is in Jamul, far enough from the main roads to leave them quiet, with the trail pretty calm and empty. As you reach the peak, you will enjoy an increasingly panoramic view of Jamul’s other mountain ranges, as well as lots of greenery surrounding you as you weave up the mountain’s side.

The hike begins with a nearly two-mile steep walk up the side of a mountain. Once that is completed, there is a large flat section of rock to rest on and enjoy the scenery before you continue to the true top. 

The final push to the peak will have you scramble over some boulders and go through some thick sections of bushes for around a quarter mile. Finally, all that’s left is a nearly 20-foot climb up the side of a mountain — which is doable, but definitely nerve-racking — that sometimes has a rope to help you pull yourself up. 

When you reach the peak, you will be rewarded with a 360-degree mountain top view that lets you see green mountains for miles off into the distance, and immerse yourself in the environment around you as you take in the noises of the wind blowing and the bushes rustling.

At around five miles round trip, this hike is very rewarding, but also physically demanding. I recommend going with someone, as even just a second set of hands will help you get over the bouldering segment far more than what’s possible alone. 

Parking is not marked very well, but it is available along the side of the road next to the trail start. For those looking for a decent challenge, Lawson Peak awaits.

Cedar Creek Falls (Medium)

A scenic 13-mile drive past Barona Casino will bring you to a trail that starts at the top of a mountain, and takes you three miles downhill to a waterfall that you can swim in.

On the descent, you will be able to see far down valleys between mountain ranges full of luscious trees holding a vivid green color. As you reach the end of the trail, you’ll walk through sections of the forest, giving you a chance to cool down before you reach the main attraction: the waterfall.

The waterfall flows most after it rains and fills a natural pool for you to swim in, but jumping into the water is not allowed at any time.

Planning your hike following days of rain will give you the best experience. However, it should be noted that day passes for groups of up to five people must be purchased for $6 before starting the hike, helping prevent the trail from becoming overcrowded while also funding its conservation.

Tickets can be purchased from recreation.gov by searching for Cedar Creek Falls.

The hike starts with three miles downhill, which is very easy, but remember that a three-mile uphill hike still lies ahead. Making sure you don’t burn all your energy or drink most of your water on the way down is crucial, especially on hot days when the beating sun will leave you thirstier than you would initially expect. 

Three Sisters Falls (Medium-Hard)

The trail starting near Julian, on the opposite side of the mountain from Cedar Creek Falls, features a series of waterfalls that flow into and collect with one another, with multiple spots available to swim and cool off in.

Your journey begins with a downhill hike of around two miles on a steep-but-straightforward path to the waterfalls everyone wants to see. Once you get to the first waterfall, you’ll find it’s not too deep, but some slight scrambling up the side of the waterfall will take you to the next one up, where you’re able to swim and cliff jump, provided the water level is high enough. 

The hike is beautiful and offers many great mountain views off into the distance, as well as shaded paths through thick sections of trees as you make your way down. Similar to Cedar Creek, though, the hike up will be harder than the hike down. Bring plenty of water and be careful of the temperature. Going after a period of rain will offer the best experience at the waterfalls, as well as provide better weather conditions than a dry, hot summer day.

Parking for the trail is free, but reaching the trailhead does require some off-roading, so make sure your car is able to handle that before going, as having your car break down on that road is not ideal (speaking from experience). 

Additionally, using Google Maps to reach the trail is ideal over Apple Maps, as Apple does not have the trailhead in its system, while Google does.

Earth Day can be celebrated or participated in with many different activities, but the importance of nature preservation is not limited to this one day a year and should be taken into account daily. Getting sun on the skin and fresh air in the lungs has many benefits for both mental and physical health. Come April 22, we should all try to get outside and experience this.