Best Places to Walk in San Diego

We need to keep our seniors moving!

While 150 minutes of exercise per week is recommended for seniors, even just 15 minutes of exercise each day is beneficial to our health. One excellent way for us to exercise is walking. This form of activity has many benefits for seniors—not only is it easy on our bodies, but it also gives us vitamin D and a boost to our overall mental well-being.

Benefits of walking for seniors:

  • Strengthens muscles
  • Reduces bone mass loss
  • Enhances joint support
  • Helps balance
  • Reduces pain from chronic conditions (such as arthritis)
  • Improves heart health and circulation
  • Lowers blood sugar
  • Diminishes insomnia
  • Improves mental health

Take advantage of San Diego’s natural allure by going on a stroll through one of our county’s many stunning parks or campuses. Here are unique and breathtaking walks that would make anyone excited to exercise:

  1. University of San Diego

    San Diego’s Catholic university has a beautiful, 180-acre campus with serene views that include SeaWorld, Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The university’s buildings were constructed with a Spanish Renaissance architectural style, providing impressive exterior details that are awe-inspiring. The campus also has gorgeous gardens and fountains, with plenty of places to rest.

  2. Carlsbad Flower Fields

    Immerse yourself in color by visiting Carlsbad’s famous Flower Fields. Visitors can walk through the designated paths (with a tour guide or without one) and enjoy more than 50 acres of rare ranunculus flowers in bloom throughout the month of May. The color-coordinated fields are pure eye candy! This is surely a walk that keeps visitors smiling.

  3. Harbor Island Park

    This little park boasts a lot of beauty. Visitors who walk along the island’s shoreline path can see picturesque views of downtown, Coronado, the Coronado Bridge and San Diego Bay. The north side of the island features a marina with another walkway (on the west side of the island). Visit this island park in the late afternoon to watch boats in the bay, the sunset and glimmering views of downtown at night.

  4. Lake Hodges

    Plan a trip to Lake Hodges for a peaceful walk with spectacular views. First, walk across the longest stressed ribbon bridge in the world (almost 1,000 feet long) via the pedestrian bridge. Then, enter the Coast to Crest Trail for a long, easy trek along the lake. The terrain includes river valleys, canopied oak forests, streams and rocky hills.

  5. Your Neighborhood

    You don’t need to drive anywhere or make a special trip in order to take a nice walk. Go for a long walk in your neighborhood to burn calories, soak up the sun and breathe in fresh air.

Getting enough exercise can increase longevity and can also prevent many ailments for seniors, including heart disease and hip fractures. For more tips about how seniors can stay mobile and healthy, check out Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups’ articles.

Categories:
Healthy Lifestyles Local Activities Managing Illness Seniors & Caregivers
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