Hike of the week: Find shade, history — and maybe some magic — at Escondido’s Felicita County Park

I wouldn’t typically recommend a hike in Escondido during the middle of summer.

It’s one of the many places in San Diego County that can feel unbearably hot with its tucked-away inland location, far from any kind of coastal breeze.

But that was before I knew about Felicita County Park. Spanning close to 350 acres, the park is situated in a southwest Escondido valley and shaded by giant oak trees. The Felicita Creek runs through the park year round, and there’s a network of 2.5-miles of trails. After my hike, I wasn’t surprised to learn that the park — which truly feels woodsy and magical — hosts the Escondido Renaissance Faire in the fall.

And while I made sure to arrive early in the morning to avoid the summer heat, I probably could have slept in a bit more. The temperature on the trail was refreshing — almost chilly at certain moments due to the shade of the trees.

Out of caution, I’d still recommend that hikers avoid hiking during the hottest parts of the day (typically around late afternoon, though that can fluctuate).

The park is named after Felicita LaChappa, a Kumeyaay woman who lived in the San Pasqual Valley. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its cultural significance since it was the site of a large Kumeyaay village.

To begin, I parked my car nearby in a surrounding neighborhood. Pedestrian access to Felicita County Park is available from sunrise until sunset, but parking is only available starting at 9:30 a.m. It costs $5.

I completed a figure-8 around Felicita Creek, but the park’s trails are mostly interconnected, so hikers don’t need to follow my exact route. I imagine I’ll return to the park later to hike its other trails. Consider reviewing a map before setting out.

I walked into the park at its entrance on Clarence Lane. Visitors driving in will have a different experience but can follow the signs and roads toward the parking lots.

Hikers should ultimately make their way toward the center of the park, where they’ll see trails that line both sides of the creek. I chose to start on a trail lining the western side of the creek, heading north. The trail is mostly flat and easy to navigate. I was one of the few people at the park during my hike, so I was able to take in the serenity of silence, save for the birds’ songs.

I reached a turning point at the 0.3-mile mark — though make sure you don’t miss it. The trail is slightly difficult to see as it passes over the creek and up a steep hill on the other side. From there, the trail heads back toward the park’s center. Hikers will pass by restrooms and a children’s playground.

I then made my way down to the trail near picnic area 7, closer to the southwest corner of the park. There’s a large sign introducing hikers to the park’s Track Trail, a route designed for kids and families with nature-based scavenger hunts. But it’s also just a nice path that dips down a hillside, with a few signs about the Kumeyaay people who lived in the area and the San Dieguito River Watershed.

I traveled south on this trail for about 0.2-miles before coming to a wooden bridge over the creek. Cross it, then take the trail that lines the eastern side of the creek to return back to the park’s center.