Daley Ranch is a 3,058-acre conservation area acquired in 1996 by the City of Escondido and is managed in perpetuity for the preservation of a biologically unique and diverse habitat area of regional importance. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational and educational opportunities and experiences in a historically significant setting. The property contains a number of natural vegetation communities including lush oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub and chaparral, grasslands, and riparian areas.
Approximately 1.1 miles from the La Honda entry is the Daley Ranch House, a redwood barn, and numerous outbuildings of historical interest. Ranger-led tours of the Ranch House occur on the 2nd Sunday of every month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Members of The Friends of Daley Ranch provide assistance with the tours, and offer additional insights into the history of the ranch. Please note that steady rain cancels the tours.
Daley Ranch offers over 20 miles of multipurpose trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use. Six distinct trails cover most of the property. Most popular are the Boulder Loop Trail (2.4 miles) which affords outstanding views of Escondido, and the Ranch House Loop (2.5 miles), which passes two small ponds and the site of Daley's original log cabin.
