Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is a large open-space canyon in northern San Diego, with trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding through riparian habitat and chaparral. The preserve gives a quieter inland contrast to the coast, with seasonal water, shade in the creek corridor, and broad views from the higher trails.
The canyon also has a historic stop: Rancho de los Peñasquitos, one of the oldest surviving homes in the San Diego region, dating to 1823. Saturday tours make it worth timing a visit if you want more than a walk.