Maple Canyon Open Space Park (San Diego, California)

 park, nature conservation park / area

Maple Canyon starts at the bottom of the hill in the Midtown area of San Diego surrounded by development on all sides. Native sage-scrub and chaparral vegetation share space with eucalyptus, pepper and palm trees. Bright orange and yellow nasturtiums and other spring wildflowers nod in the breeze at the hiker.

The canyon is now a dedicated city park. Beginning at the end of Maple Street, two blocks east of Reynard Way, Maple Canyon Open Space Park leads the hiker up a wide, smooth path. Traveling up the canyon floor, the hiker will come upon a surprising architectural beauty—the 104-foot-high First Avenue bridge, built under the Improvement Act of 1911.

After another half mile, the equally historic Quince Street footbridge stretches out over the canyon. On the left is a steep path, connecting to 3rd Avenue and onto the footbridge.