Does San Diego have any nearby forests like the Bay Area does? (Santa Cruz: pine)

[ptrues1]

I just recently visited SD and SF. As I explored the Bay Area, I visited Muir Woods. I also drove to SF from Santa Cruz and drove through some mountainous forested areas. Does San Diego area have any forested areas like these within driving distance? I was not able to go to Lake Murray while I was in SD, but from the Pics on the internet, this does not seem to compare in terms of forested mountain beauty. Does the Cleveland National Forest offer breath taking mountain vistas? Is there a lot of vegetation in this forest, or is it much more dry than these Northern Cal areas?

[sav858]

San Diego doesn't really have anything that compares to Muir woods or the Redwood forests of Northern CA. There are some pockets of forests in the mountains such as Palomar Mountain, Mt Laguna, etc.. but generally it is not what you will find in Northern CA and yes it is more dry with less vegetation.

[NYSD1995]

There are a few spotty areas - Mount Laguna, Palomar, some of the area around Cuyamaca although much has burned. Your best bet is the Idyllwild area, Lake Arrowhead, or Big Bear.

[Kasey77]

The Cleveland National Forest. Cuyamaca, Julian, Pine Valley is located int this Forest. And althoug we have had wildfires. There is still a lot of forest! A lot has not burned!

[iskray917]

The Cleveland National Forest is not really comparable to Northern Californian/Pacific Northwest forest in terms of tree density, type of vegetation etc.

[Kasey77]

Well of course not. They are in 2 different geographic locations? But, we do have a National Forest in San Diego and it is very diverse and beautiful in its own right.

[Deja Vu Again]

The forests down here are much drier and not as lush as they are up north. If you like that kind of forest, better stick to the Pacific NW or Northern Cal.