New hiking trail connects Mission Valley and Serra Mesa after decades of delay

A new hiking trail in San Diego’s Ruffin Canyon is now open, connecting the neighborhoods of Serra Mesa and Mission Valley after nearly a decade of planning, funding challenges and permitting delays.

The nature trail, which winds through the canyon’s rugged terrain, officially opened Friday morning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking a milestone for community members and outdoor advocates who pushed to make it happen.

“The way we have come to love and know our natural spaces with plants and animals that inhabit them is because of a trail,” said Peter Hulbert, executive director of the San Diego Mountain Biking Association.

The Ruffin Canyon trail stretches from Taft Middle School in Serra Mesa south toward Mission Valley, reaching the Escala community. While Escala is a gated neighborhood, a tunnel under Friars Road provides full public access to the trail during daylight hours.

The canyon itself has a long history. Once a cobble-filled creek bed with steep slopes, it was home to native plants, wildlife and the indigenous Kumeyaay Nation.

While giving a short tour, Friday, to members of the media and the community, Supervising Park Ranger Carey Goldstein pointed out some of the beauty and history of the canyon.

“These are some wild cucumber growing here in a vine,” Goldstein said. “The seeds are somewhat toxic (and the Kumeyaay fisherman) threw them into a shallow pool of water and it would stun the fish.”

Construction of the trail was anything but simple.

Plans date back to 2007, but progress stalled for years as the city worked through permitting requirements and searched for funding. The project was eventually financed through a combination of state grants and taxpayer money designated for park improvements, along with cooperation from the Escala Homeowners Association.

Residents say the effort was worth it. “It is really my connection to God to be in nature and feel connected to the planet,” said long-time Escala hiker, Ron Shephard. “It’s nice we can just come out our back door and be here.”

The newly opened path is now designed for hikers, walkers and cyclists, offering safer access through the canyon while preserving its natural beauty for the public to enjoy.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.