Take a Hike!!! Switzer Canyon North Park

The neighborhoods of North Park began to be developed in the early 1900s. The chances that an original piece of the natural plant and animal community would survive one hundred years of bulldozers, roaming pet cats, and gardens harboring invasive plants from every corner of the world seems small. That’s why finding Switzer Canyon is such a surprise. To see the best slice of high-quality native habitat, use the trailhead at 28th and Maple Street, walk downhill and then follow the cobblestone-lined creek upstream. Keep an eye open for the velvety Felt-leaf Yerba Santa.

Switzer has a Friends group (motto: 24 Hours a Day! No Monthly Fee!) to help keep it special and give the natives a little help to reclaim some of the abused portions.

Switzer is one of my favorite San Diego canyons because it’s close to home and like a little wilderness walk in the city. There is a nice view of downtown from 30th Street.

If you have Google Maps you can download this  KMZ file I made of my walk yesterday on the east side.