Sycamore Canyon Dog Hike: What 11 Visits Taught Us

Hi, this is Jess.

If you’re anything like my sister and I, crowds are something we try to avoid as much as possible. So if you’re looking for a Sycamore Canyon dog hike that isn’t usually crowded — look no further.

After 11 visits to Sycamore Canyon Goodan Ranch County Preserve — 10 of them with our Shih Tzu Tutú, and once just Tutú and I — this place ranks one of our to-go top spots, right along Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve.

We’ve learned a few things the hard way along the way, and these are our real honest experiences to help you plan your visit with confidence.

Two Entrances: Why We Recommend Goodan Ranch for First Timers

There are two entrances to this Sycamore Canyon dog hike — the Highway 67 Staging Area or the Goodan Ranch entrance.

The first time we ventured out here, Google Maps took us straight to the Highway 67 entrance. Coming from south San Diego heading north toward Poway, it made logical sense.

What we weren’t prepared for was the entrance itself.

There is no dedicated turn lane.

You’re literally putting your blinker on and turning left into fast-moving traffic on this 65 mph highway— one of San Diego’s most dangerous roads, known for accidents and fatalities each year.

There’s a small sign but by the time you spot it you’re already flying past it with no time to safely slow down. Our first time, a car honked as we braked suddenly trying to make the turn.

We almost missed it entirely.

Highway 67 rush hour is a different story. On a Monday around 6am and a Wednesday around 5pm the traffic was unbearable — you’re essentially stopped in the middle of a 65 mph freeway waiting for oncoming traffic to clear.

Someone could easily hit you from behind. Weekend mornings around 9am traffic was noticeably lighter and the turn felt more manageable.

The Goodan Ranch Entrance

After several visits through Highway 67, we finally decided to try the Goodan Ranch entrance — and it’s now our top recommendation, especially for first timers.

The approach is completely different. You’re driving through residential roads lined with ranches — you’ll even pass a horse sanctuary on the way in.

The roads are narrow and curvy but the stress level is nothing compared to Highway 67.

No freeway braking, no honking, no holding your breath.

The honest tradeoff? It’s a longer drive to the trailhead depending on where you’re coming from. If you’re coming from Escondido, north county, or Poway itself — this entrance makes perfect sense.

If you’re coming from further south like Carlsbad or south San Diego, Highway 67 is more convenient — just approach it with serious caution and avoid rush hour completely.

What the Trail Is Actually Like

The trail is a perfect place for those looking for solitude and a spacious feel with your dog. It is pretty open with not much shade, so plan accordingly.

The terrain is mostly flat with some downhill and uphill stretches depending on which entrance you use — whether you come in from Highway 67 or Goodan Ranch, you’ll experience both.

Mountain bikers are present here both on weekends and during the week, so keep that in mind with your dog.

What’s interesting is that horses are allowed on these trails — yet out of all 11 of our visits, we have never once seen a horse on the trail itself, unlike Ramona Grasslands and Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve where horse activity and the evidence they leave behind on the trail is pretty common.

The only time we ever encountered a horse here was near the visitor center area — there was a horse carriage parked nearby and we could hear one inside, but never actually saw it.

As for Tutú, every visit here has been a positive one. He is constantly sniffing everything — this place gives him so much to explore. One thing we always watch for is foxtails getting caught in his fur, so we try to keep him on the trail even when he wants to wander off it.

After 11 visits we have never come across poison oak here, which is a welcome change from trails like Dos Picos and Los Peñasquitos.

We usually take breaks every couple of miles, and most times Jeanette walks ahead while Tutú and I take our time at his pace.

We’re still on the hunt for hiking shoes that actually work comfortably with his fur — we’ll be sharing a full honest review once we find the right ones!

The Visitor Center — More Than Just Restrooms

One of the most unexpected surprises at Goodan Ranch is the visitor center. Most people hike right past it, but we always stop here — and yes, Tutú is allowed inside!

It’s usually pretty quiet in there, though you’ll spot park rangers passing by outside in their golf carts.

The building itself is beautiful — stone walls, well maintained, and honestly feels like a peaceful little stop after being out on the exposed trail.

Inside you’ll find displays covering the full history of this place.

It starts with the Kumeyaay people who lived here thousands of years ago, using the very land you just hiked across to harvest native grasses for flour and acorns from the oak trees along the trail.

Then in 1938 a wealthy Los Angeles family — Roger and May Goodan — purchased the land as a weekend retreat, bringing cattle, horses, and a ranch hand named Fred Allbee who loved the place so much he stayed on even after the family sold it.

Eventually San Diego County purchased the land in 1991, and the rest is the history you’re walking through today.

There’s a full historical photo board inside that stopped us in our tracks — old black and white photos of the ranch, the family on horseback, and what this land looked like long before it became the preserve you’re hiking now.

Right outside the visitor center you’ll find the Stone House ruins — and this is worth taking a moment for.

The house was built for the Goodan family between 1936 and 1937 and was the last structure built while the family owned the ranch.

It later served as a residence for the onsite ranger until the devastating Cedar Fire of 2003 burned through the entire preserve.

Only the stone walls remain today, with a plaque telling the story.

Standing there with Tutú, it’s one of those quiet moments that makes this place feel like more than just a hike.

The Heat Lesson I Keep Learning the Hard Way

San Diego can fool you.

The weather looks mild, but out on a fully exposed trail with no shade and a Shih Tzu, even 78°F hits differently than you’d expect.

Tutú is a Shih Tzu — he’s got a lot of fur. By the time we ate breakfast and got ready, the sun was already out hotter at times than we plan.

We’ve made this mistake twice at this Sycamore Canyon dog hike — once at 78°F and once at 80°F.

Both times Tutú and I turned back within 4 minutes.

Because of this experience twice now, my sister and I now have a non-negotiable rule: we only hike Sycamore Canyon either early morning or later in the afternoon.

This trail has zero shade and zero water sources — that combination leaves almost no margin for error with a small dog in warmer months.

For more on hiking with dogs safely in San Diego heat, we cover this in our San Diego dog hiking tips post.

What to Bring for Your Dog at Sycamore Canyon

Because this Sycamore Canyon dog hike has zero shade and zero water on the trail, what you pack for your dog matters more here than most San Diego hikes.

Here’s what we always bring for Tutú:

• Water. No water sources exist on this trail — none. We carry the Hemli 32 oz. Portable Dog Water Bottle every single time. It’s the one item we never leave the car without.

• Treats. We bring Golden Rewards Duck Jerky Dog Treats since Tutú is allergic to chicken and beef. They also come in handy when we pass other dogs — a quick treat keeps him focused on us instead of the distraction.

• A small first aid kit. Red ants are on this trail. We carry a few bandages and ointment just in case from Arca Pet First Aid Kit— better to have it and not need it.

• A secure leash. The trail is spacious enough that narrow encounters are rare, but off-leash dogs do happen. When we see one coming we pick Tutú up.

There’s been several instances where we’ve seen off-leash dogs attack other leashed dogs – so not taking chances with him.

The wide open sections from the Highway 67 entrance down toward the visitor center make it manageable — just stay aware.

For everything else we bring on San Diego trails, check our full dog hiking gear guide.

Protect this Place

After 11 visits to this trail, one thing I’ve noticed is that dog waste on the trail has increased.

It’s something that genuinely bothers me — because trails like this stay open and free because people respect them.

My sister and I have made it a habit: we always pack out everything, pick up after Tutú every single time, and honestly — if we see trash on the trail we pick that up too – at times.

It’s just how we were raised around nature.

The leash rule here is 6 feet maximum. We’ve seen it ignored plenty of times.

Those rules exist not to be difficult — but to protect the wildlife living in this preserve.

Mule deer, coyote, bobcat, and rattlesnakes all call this place home.

You don’t have to be perfect. Just be intentional. Leave this place better than you found it.

Is Sycamore Canyon Right for Your Dog?

After 11 visits to this Sycamore Canyon dog hike, here’s our honest verdict:

This trail is perfect for you if:

• Your dog does better with fewer distractions and open space
• You have a reactive or timid dog — the wide trail gives you room to breathe
• You’re an early morning hiker (we go between 6–8am)
• You want a quieter alternative to San Diego’s busier trails

Skip it or plan carefully if:

• It’s spring or summer and you’re going after 9am
• Your dog struggles without shade — there is none
• You’re not prepared to carry water for both of you

We keep coming back. Every time. Just always before the heat hits. 🐾