Secret stairs bottom

Built to facilitate pedestrian traffic across steep residential terrain, this route belongs to a rare system of public stairways in San Diego County. From Windsor and Canterbury drives, the initial ascent crosses two residential streets before topping out at an 830-foot knoll on Summit Drive. The walk can expand into an interconnected network of nearly 500 steps, continuing down 184 steps toward Beverly Drive and across shorter flights along Fairview Avenue. Threading directly between private yards, the stairways give an ordinary neighborhood stroll the distinct feel of a trail hike.