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 Don’t forget to charge up and carry a cell phone before you set out on the walk. Still, do not forget that there are occasional dead zones for cell phone signals once you get away from populated places or well-traveled highways. Thus, as with all hiking, it is wise to let someone know where you are headed and when you expect to return.

 Hikers on the more remote trails in this book might want to store a flashlight in their backpacks (if there’s any chance of being caught on the trail after dark); a map; a GPS unit or cell phone map application (for fun, as well as for navigation); a whistle (for signaling); and a first aid kit.

 Here and there, especially on trails following the small streams and through oak woodlands, poison oak growth can be copious. Learn to recognize poison oak’s distinctive three-leafed structure, and avoid touching it with skin or clothing. Poison oak loses its leaves during the winter (usually December–March in San Diego), but don’t let that catch you unawares. The plant still retains some of the toxic oil in its stems, and it can be extra hazardous in winter because it is harder to identify and avoid.