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United States
California
San Diego County
San Diego

Luxor Canyon – Panama Plaza, Balboa Park loop from Balboa Park

Routes
United States
California
San Diego County
San Diego

Luxor Canyon – Panama Plaza, Balboa Park loop from Balboa Park

Moderate

2.8

(19)

43

riders

Luxor Canyon – Panama Plaza, Balboa Park loop from Balboa Park

01:16

17.8km

210m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 30, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 9.68 km for 91 m

After 10.2 km for 50 m

Waypoints

A

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1

6.46 km

Luxor Canyon

Highlight • Canyon

Hidden nature gem north of Balboa Park with an entrance from Richmond Street and connection to the Bridle trail.

Tip by

2

8.60 km

View of Balboa Park and California Tower

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

A quiet, small trail begins immediately behind the dog park, leading down through the forest and up again. It offers some nice views of Balboa Park and is a welcome break from the otherwise fairly busy park hustle and bustle.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3

9.72 km

Panama Plaza, Balboa Park

Highlight • Monument

Very nice, especially in the evening, with the sun low. Most exhibitions are only open until 5 p.m.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4

10.2 km

Botanical Building, Balboa Park

Highlight • Monument

Balboa Park is beautifully landscaped and contains 15 museums alone that take varying entrance fees. The park itself is free of charge. There is also an international village in the …

Tip by

5

11.6 km

Zoro Garden

Highlight • Natural

During the world’s fair from 1935-36, Zoro garden was home to a nudist colony.
For 25 cents, visitors saw young ladies wearing no more than a g-string and men with …

Tip by

B

17.8 km

End point

Bus stop

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Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.98 km

3.73 km

3.47 km

2.43 km

718 m

315 m

156 m

Surfaces

6.35 km

5.97 km

4.10 km

934 m

360 m

< 100 m

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Elevation

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (100 m)

Lowest point (30 m)

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Weather

Powered by Foreca

Today

Friday 3 July

26°C

17°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Description

If you're looking for a gravel biking route that truly offers the best of both worlds, the Luxor Canyon – Panama Plaza, Balboa Park loop from Balboa Park is a moderate 11.0 miles (17.8 km) ride with 705 feet (215 metres) of elevation gain, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This Luxor Canyon Panama Plaza Balboa Park loop gravel biking route is perfect for riders who want to experience San Diego's unique blend of rugged canyon trails and historic urban landscapes all in one go.

What to expect on Luxor Canyon – Panama Plaza, Balboa Park loop from Balboa Park

Expect a dynamic ride as you traverse the varied terrain of Balboa Park. You'll encounter everything from narrow singletrack and wide doubletrack to steep climbs and fun descents, with surfaces ranging from dirt and gravel to paved sections. The scenery constantly shifts, moving from natural, rugged canyon areas with native habitats and pine-covered trails to the more manicured and architecturally significant zones around Panama Plaza and the historic 1915 Panama-California Exposition site. This Luxor Canyon Panama Plaza Balboa Park gravel biking terrain offers a good workout with considerable elevation changes, making it suitable for intermediate gravel riders who appreciate diverse landscapes.

Planning your visit

Balboa Park is a shared-use space, so be aware that you'll be sharing trails with hikers and people with off-leash dogs; ringing a bell is often encouraged to alert others. The urban setting means you have easy access to amenities like cafes and restaurants near Panama Plaza, perfect for a post-ride refuel. Parking is available throughout Balboa Park, but it's always wise to arrive early, especially on weekends, to secure a spot.

Trail details

  • Distance: 11.0 miles (17.8 km)
  • Elevation gain: 705 feet (215 metres)
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Estimated time: 1 hours and 15 minutes

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