California's Sprawling National Forest Between San Diego & Joshua Tree Is Full Of Trails

California boasts 18 national forests, and its southernmost one, Cleveland National Forest, covers three mountain ranges in between San Diego and Joshua Tree National Park. Since this federally managed land is covered with trails, it is a great spot to go hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-roading.

This vast area was originally the land of the Kumeyaay, Luiseño, Cahuilla, and Cupeño peoples. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, the first European to explore the West Coast, arrived in 1542. But centuries went by before missions were established, gold was found, and logging became widespread. The 1891 Forest Reserve Act was designed to protect natural resources, and forest reserves were soon created in this area. Then, in 1908, two of them were combined to become Cleveland National Forest. The huge national forest now covers 460,000 acres across three distinct districts.

From San Diego, it is less than 40 miles to the Descanso Ranger District, the national forest's southern section. For the northern section, the Trabuco Ranger District, John Wayne Airport (SNA) is a better option. The Orange County airport, which is consistently ranked as one of the best in America, is just 30 miles away. 

Since it is so sprawling, it's virtually impossible to count the number of trails in Cleveland National Forest. The Palomar Ranger District, the national forest's center section, has 95 miles of hiking trails alone. But you can try to find your favorite. In the Descanso Ranger District, Laguna Mountain is a good place to start. Its Sunset Trail is a 3.2-mile loop that runs through large meadows and a Jeffrey pine forest, past lazy cattle, and around multiple lakes. It connects with the Big Laguna Trail to become a 9.2-mile hike with stunning views that extend all the way over to San Diego and the Pacific Ocean.

Back in the Palomar Ranger District, the Boucher Trail and Palomar Mountain Loop is another 9.2-mile loop trail that will reward you with incredible views of the Pauma Valley. It climbs up Boucher Hill to a historic fire tower and an observation deck. While from the Los Pinos Trail, in the Trabuco Ranger District, you can see all the way to Southern California's three highest mountains (Mounts San Antonio, San Gorgonio, and San Jacinto) to the east and Santa Catalina Island to the west. Though the trek is strenuous, the panoramic views definitely make it worthwhile.

Cleveland National Forest is also along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which is considered one of the longest hikes in America. The extensive trail runs for 2,650 miles between Mexico and Canada. Overnight permits are required.

Though the hiking possibilities are endless, they are not the only recreational activities in Cleveland National Forest. There are 91 trails for mountain bikers here that range from easy access roads to expert prolines. The Black Star Canyon Falls Trail and Skyline Drive to Beek's Place, both in the Trabuco Ranger District, are two of its most popular mountain biking trails. The former follows a streambed through red rock cliffs, while the latter goes out to a 1930s homestead cabin.

If you prefer to ride instead of pedal, you can also go horseback riding and off-roading in Cleveland National Forest. The Trabuco Creek Trail runs alongside its namesake, a tributary of the San Juan Creek, which you can see along the San Juan Loop Trail. Meanwhile, the Ortega Falls Trail leads to a seasonal waterfall. Off-highway vehicles (OHVs) can also be enjoyed, but are limited to specific areas. The Bear Valley, Corral Canyon, and Wildomar OHV Areas each have multiple trails for vehicles with green sticker registrations.

With so many trails and activities at your disposal, it would be a shame to spend a lot of time driving to and from the national forest. Luckily, it has 20 campgrounds should you choose to spend the night (or many). They are available mostly on a first come, first served basis. To visit Cleveland National Forest, you must also purchase a Southern California National Forest Daily Adventure Pass ($5). Looking for more adventures in the Golden State? Make sure to check out the "Crown Jewel of the California State Park System" for incredible hiking and scuba diving.