Lake Hodges is a reservoir on the San Dieguito River southwest of Escondido, surrounded by chaparral and oak woodland. It is a fine place to spend a morning: hiking and mountain biking trails run along the northern and southern shores, the lake itself is good for bass fishing, and the bird watching along the riparian habitat is excellent.
The Bernardo Bay Natural Area on the western end protects coastal sage scrub and provides habitat for several species of concern including the California gnatcatcher. At dawn and dusk, when the light turns the water gold and great blue herons stand motionless in the shallows, it looks nothing like suburban San Diego County.