Del Dios Gorge

Cappie’s Scoop: When Mom and I first set out to hike this spot, it was part of the Coast to Crest trail challenge. We knew it was a shorter hike with a cool statue at the end of it. I asked my buddy Mickey to come along for the adventure. Who knew we’d both have a cactus run-in as soon as we started out on the trail. Luckily Mom packed my 10 essentials which included a cactus comb. So in no time, she pulled out the bad cactus that jumped on my leg and we were on our way again. Half way through we crossed a fun wooden bridge. I was a little nervous looking over the edge and I told Mickey not to even bother looking, there was no water or ducks. We kept going and then Mom dropped the biggest news on us, she said the statue was a rattlesnake. What?! Don’t we avoid those hissy things and now we’re walking towards one. Mickey and I thought about heading back to the car but I knew Mom had brought along the good treats for us so we stayed for those. They were the better treats because we had a guest with us. I started to see something in the distance but it wasn’t moving. I let Mom go first because she’s in charge (…well sometimes) and everything seemed OK. Turns out a statue is something that doesn’t move and so the rattlesnake is frozen! We took a picture in front of it and I stuck my tongue out at the rattlesnake – you can’t get us! Don’t hesitate to add YOUR scoop in the comments below!

Tips: Rattlesnake viewpoint is named for the stone rattlesnake built here. The area is also home to the C.W. Harris Site Archaeological District, where artifacts from over 9,000 years of human habitation have been found.

Directions: From I-5, take the Via De La Valle exit. Head east on Via De La Valle for approximately 5.2 miles. Turn right onto Paseo Delicias/Highway S6 (Del Dios Highway). Continue on Paseo Delicias/Del Dios Highway for 2.9 miles. Just past Calle Ambeinte, there is a small produce market on the right at 8175 Del Dios Highway. Turn into the market’s parking lot, and find the entrance to the San Dieguito River Park staging area at the southwestern edge of the lot. Drive down the long driveway to find a parking lot at the bottom where we’ll meet. After we meet in the parking lot, we’ll walk south (up the slope) to access the trail. The Coast to Crest Trailhead through the Del Dios Gorge will be on our left.