San Diego’s unique ability to excel at a great many things—from its food to its nightlife scene—also extends to its natural beauty. The city offers sweeping ocean views, majestic mountain peaks, and just about everything else between.

For runners, San Diego provides the option of outdoor running from a new viewpoint every single time you lace up your running shoes. We've compiled a list of San Diego's best running trails for urban and rural runners alike.

Lake Murray Trail - San Carlos, CA

A trail along Lake Murray with a boat launch and a mountain rising in the background in San Diego
The trail around Lake Murray includes 5.9 miles of beautiful views.

Despite its appearance, the trail hugging Lake Murray's perimeter is not a loop. Due to access restriction at the site of the lake's dam (and make sure you touch the marker on the gate or your run doesn't count), this paved trail is 5.9 miles from start to, well, back to the start since it's an out-and-back trail.

The wide and well-maintained trail is good for jogging with a stroller, but it does have quite a few hills on the way out that would make pushing a bulky stroller a challenge. Another trail challenge is the lack of shade on the second half of the trail; make sure you bring a hat and water and wear sunscreen. Despite its downsides, this running trail is a great escape from the suburban sprawl that surrounds it, complete with lots of clean bathrooms and picnic tables along the way.

Seven Bridges Trail - North Park, CA

The historic Quince Bridge rising above a deep valley in San Diego
The Seven Bridges Trail takes hikers along breathtaking bridges.

The Seven Bridges Trail is a 6.6-mile-long urban trail starting at the heart of San Diego's beloved Balboa Park and extending out to explore the surrounding neighborhoods, mainly North Park and Hillcrest. Despite the name, this route will actually take you over eight bridges, all of which differ in length and architectural style.

The trail isn't well marked, so it's recommended you check your directions before you head out and keep your phone handy. While the vast majority of it does make for a great run, runners will need to slow down for a few sets of staircases. One bonus is there are plenty of places to stop for a bathroom break or a post-run pick me up.

Lake Miramar Trail - Scripps Ranch, CA

Lake Miramar surrounded by large hills and prairie grass in San Diego
A smooth, five-mile path, the Lake Miramar Trail hugs the lake for ideal waterfront scenery.

Like Lake Murray, Lake Miramar is a reservoir with a path around its perimeter, but in this case, it's an actual loop. The 4.9-mile-long loop hugs the outer edge of the lake. It's a perfect spot for anyone looking for a trail that's paved and relatively flat—we're talking less than 100 feet of total elevation change along the entire trail.

Plants flank this path, and the lake is a hub for birds; in the spring, runners frequently catch a glimpse of baby ducks swimming in long rows. This trail also doesn't have a ton of shade, so many runners prefer to hit it in the morning or before sunset. Just make sure to check the dam gate closing times so you don't get stranded.

Los Penasquitos Creek Trail - Rancho Penasquitos, CA

Hikers wading in the waters at Los Penasquitos Creek surrounded by large rocky cliffs.
Visitors to Los Penasquitos Creek Trail can wade in the waters on nice days.

Runners gush over Los Penasquitos Canyon Reserve, a prime example of untouched San Diego landscapes and local flora and fauna. The Creek Trail runs along the creek and is an easy, flat 6.4-mile run along one of the park's most verdant areas.

For anyone looking for a more difficult trail with some hills, the Penasquitos Falls Loop is more challenging with a fairly similar atmosphere. Be warned: If it's unseasonably rainy, these trails are likely anywhere from very muddy to flooded, and it may be better to run somewhere a little less rustic.

Sunset Cliffs Trail - Point Loma, CA

The hillside trail at Sunset Cliffs overlooking the ocean in San Diego
The Sunset Cliffs Trail offers views of San Diego's most iconic stretch of shoreline.

It's truly impossible to talk about running in San Diego without mentioning a sunset jog along one of the city's iconic shorelines. Sunset Cliffs Trail starts at the corner of Adair Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard just a few miles from the center of Ocean Beach. Runners looking for dramatic views of the ocean and a quick out-and-back run that's less than two miles long will find just that at Sunset Cliffs.

Pyle's Peak Trail - San Carlos, CA

Pyle's Peak rises above the landscape with tall grass and trees around it in San Diego
The Pyle's Peak Trail is rugged and challenging for advanced hikers.

Mission Trails Regional Park is another running and hiking hotspot. While any mention of Mission Trails conjures images of struggling to breathe as you claw your way to the top of Cowles Mountain, this park has 65 miles of trails, many of which are less crowded and more enjoyable.

One of those trails is Pyle's Peak, the trailhead for which is situated at the Southeast corner of the park, smack dab in the middle of the San Carlos neighborhoods. This particular trail is for runners looking for a true challenge. The trail itself is rustic and at times steep, but it's also a 5.3-mile trail lined with thousands of wildflowers for most of the year.