Annie's Canyon

Lea Appleton
Nov 13
4 min read

Feel far away within a mile of Interstate 5 in California.

A person wearing a blue hat and dark clothing looking ahead as they wall into Annie's slot canyon.

Looking like a set out of one of the Star Wars films, Annie's Canyon is only a short hike away from the neighborhoods in Solana Beach, in Southern California in north San Diego County. One trail entrance is located just a few blocks from the interstate freeway exit, so getting there is a cinch.

Slot canyons are formed by water eroding away rock, often sandstone since it is softer. You can almost imagine the water rushing through the canyon walls as you wind your way through.

While it is a short hike, it's quite steep going down to the San Elijo Lagoon if you start at the trailhead on Solana Hills Drive. Hiking into the canyon itself also takes stome strength and dexterity.

I didn't find the hike particularly difficult, but since I was only a few months out from hip replacement surgery, the large step-ups needed as the canyon narrows and traversing the metal staircase built into the wall to help you climb out, required getting a boost from my husband behind me! Keep that in mind if you are not very flexible or feel less strong. The hike is considered one way, but if you get really stuck and don't feel like you could safely go forward, you could find your way back out the way you came in; however, if there are people behind you where the canyon is very narrow, they would have to backtrack a bit, too, to let you get by. You can also view the slot canyon exit from above by following the path along the eastern side of the entrance.

This was my first official slot canyon and it was definitely a destination hike. I had heard about it from my sister when I led a Wayfinding Day from Solana Beach to Torrey Pines a few years ago. We walked by the area, but since we had a long way to go, we didn't venture in. I think it is definitely worth a trip just for Annie's Canyon. But since it is a pretty short hike, plan for some other exploring in San Elijo Lagoon or in downtown Solana Beach. There are lots of good eateries, including Lofty Coffee Solana Beach Cafe, where I had my first taste of avocado toast! (Side note: I even planted watermelon radishes in my home garden after trying them at Lofty Coffee, as they decorated the top of my toast.)

The slot canyon was so much fun that I hiked in a few more on a recent trip to Death Valley National Park with a friend. Watch for that post coming soon!

The Story of Annie's Canyon

Annie's Canyon is so named after a local resident gave a substantial donation to the San Elijo Lagoon Conversancy, now called Nature Collective, to help fund the restoration of the area. Local lore suggests that it was a favorite hide-away for kids who lived in the area for many years. I can definitely see the appeal, given its otherworldly feel—you absolutely feel transported to another time or place! Unfortunately in more recent years, graffiti and trash littered the place until it was restored as Annie's Canyon. This project was part of a larger restoration of the wetlands in the area over the past few decades.

You can find out how slot canyons are formed here, in a brief slide show with audio.

A view of the sandstone walls and steps along the path inside the slot canyon.

How to Get There

Coming from the north or south, exit Lomas Santa Fe Drive and head west towards the ocean. Within a very short distance (first right if coming from the north or right after you go under the freeway, if coming from the south) turn right on Solana Hills Drive. Go up as far as you can. On busy days, your hike will start up the hill towards the trailhead after you find a parking place along the street.

Find the different starting points on the map here. You would take the same freeway exit but head towards different trailheads found on the map in the link.

Itinerary, Alternatives and Longer Routes

If you have limited time or simply wish to do only the slot canyon hike, then begin at the end of Solana Hills Drive, accessible from Hwy 5 at the Lomas Santa Fe exit.

You can also start on the east side of the freeway in the San Elijo Lagoon at the entrance at the Santa Inez TrailSanta, or at the Carina Trail, a little further east. If you want to make a much longer day of it, you can start even farther east in Rancho Santa Fe at the beginning of the La Orilla Trailhead. The San Elijo Lagoon is a beautiful nature reserve, with flat, well-marked walking trails. Some of the trails are more sand than dirt, so be prepared for some uneven terrain. If you choose one of these longer routes, you will eventually meet up with a multi-use trail near the freeway, so you'll find your own "divided highway" and asphalt for a little while. Then the trail divide and there's a bike trail and a walking path before you get on the trail to Annie's Canyon.