7 San Diego Bridges Loop

Cappie’s Scoop: I love this hike because it’s in my town and I don’t have to sit in the car for an hour to get there. Mom and I walk outside and head towards Balboa Park to start. Our mission is to cross 7 bridges. I like ALL the bridges except for one, the Spruce Street Suspension bridge a.k.a. the wiggly bridge. It’s hard enough to not look over the edge but when the bridge moves, my legs spread out and I just freeze. Mom tries to get me to run over it so it’s quick and painless. Is she serious, running makes the bridge move MORE. So I told her, the only thing that can get me over this bridge is a big crunchy peanut butter treat, 5 of them. I don’t know if I get 5 full treats or if she breaks them up into pieces. But either way, there’s a reward for conquering this bridge. We like to start in Balboa Park and hike west towards the water. Our last bridge which has no name is near the rose garden. Sometimes we stop and go smell the roses. They smell good enough to eat but don’t try it, they taste awful. Don’t hesitate to add YOUR scoop in the comments below!

Tips: Here’s some history on the 7 bridges:
-Cabrillo Bridge, built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, was the first cantilevered, multiple-arched to be built in Southern California. Nearly 1500 ft long and nearly 125 ft high. During the 1915 Panama-California Exposition a man-made lake was beneath the bridge. Now it’s a highway.
-First Avenue Bridge, built in 1931, located over Maple Canyon is 463 ft long and 104 ft high. Originally known as The People’s Bridge because it was erected at the request of local property owners, it’s the only steel-arch bridge in the city.
-Quince Street Bridge, built in 1905, located over Maple Canyon is 236 ft long and 60 ft high. It’s one of the few remaining wooden trestle pedestrian bridges in the city.
-Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, built in 1912, located over Arroyo (Kate Sessions) Canyon is 375 ft long and 70 ft high. The lightness of bridge allows it to sway and dance in response to wind and walkers. Local kids call it the “wiggly bridge.”
-Vermont Street Bridge, built in 1995 and replaced the 1916 wooden-trestle bridge.
-Georgia Street Bridge, this arched bridge was built in 1914 to replace a smaller redwood bridge, built in 1907. Since restoration has begun, crews have uncovered an old spoon, several old railroad ties, and two sets of tracks (streetcar and railroad).
-Unnamed Bridge, connects the Desert and Rose Gardens to Balboa. The Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, this is one of only four U.S. gardens that has received the Award for Excellence from the World Federation of Rose Societies. It displays approx. 1600 roses of more than 130 varieties on a three-acre site. The garden is in bloom from Mar-Dec with the roses at their peak Apr-May. The Desert Garden contains more than 1300 plants within its 2.5 acres. Peak blooming period is from Jan-Mar.

Directions: You can start this urban hike from multiple spots. Suggest you start in Balboa Park (free parking) at the water fountain in front of the Fleet Science Center. You can use address Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101.