SAN DIEGO — If you’re not looking for the trails around Famosa Slough, you might miss them.
Tucked within the neighborhood of Point Loma Heights and just south of Interstate 8, the slough is a peaceful body of water that’s a favorite among birds — over 260 species have reportedly been spotted there.
I’ve seen the slough and its surrounding vegetation peripherally while driving, but I didn’t know about the short and sweet trails that travel around its edges. A reader recently brought them to my attention, and I’m grateful they did.
My roughly 1-mile out-and-back walk at Famosa Slough only took me about half an hour, but I felt the benefits of being on the trail for even a brief amount of time. The temperatures dropped significantly near the water and as I walked along the shaded sections of trail, and there were several benches to sit and enjoy the view of the slough and watch egrets wade in the blue water.
The route was easy to navigate, and I can imagine coming back here for a post-work walk, especially in the heat of the summer.
The slough, a marine protected area, is a 12-acre natural channel connecting the San Diego River estuary and the Pacific Ocean. This interchange mixes tidal salt water with fresh water from the watershed and it can bring a mix of wildlife. In June, green sea turtles were spotted in the slough, according to signs I saw posted on my hike.
I traveled along the southern portion of the Famosa Slough, but there are also some trails around the northern portion, north of West Point Loma Boulevard.
To follow my route, park at the trailhead at the northern end of Famosa Boulevard, adjacent to Valeta Street. There’s a small parking lot, but you can also likely find street parking nearby.
The trail heads north. Upon starting, I quickly turned right to follow a loop trail offering expansive views of the slough. Once I completed the loop, I hopped on a trail that headed toward Montalvo Street. You only have to walk a few steps before reaching the trail that goes north along the perimeter of the slough.
While there are homes on the left, the slough offers lovely scenery to the right. As I continued along, I especially enjoyed seeing — and stopping at — the benches that overlooked the water.
At the 0.4-mile mark, the trail ends at West Point Loma Boulevard, and you’ll have to walk east on the sidewalk briefly before meeting up with the trail again as it runs parallel to the busy street. After walking another 0.2-miles, I retraced my steps back to the trailhead.