Bankers Hill Hikes
Perhaps the best public “secrets” in the neighborhood are the historic footbridges in northern Bankers Hill. The bridges were built to provide pedestrian passage across the deep canyons which isolated developing neighborhoods from the newly built streetcar lines on Fourth and Fifth avenues. From Hillcrest, visiting the bridges is a scenic and comfortable stroll.
Begin by heading south from the core on either Fourth or Fifth. The footbridge at Quince Street sits just west of Fourth. Care is needed in crossing here as the west side of Fourth Avenue lacks a proper sidewalk. The wooden trestle bridge spanning Maple Canyon was constructed in 1905 and rebuilt in 1990. For the adventurous, a dirt foot trail runs through the canyon floor and is accessible at a marked trailhead a bit north of the western abutment.
First Avenue crosses Maples canyon on a girder steel arch bridge southwest of the Quince Street Bridge. Originally known as the Peoples Bridge, it was erected at the instigation of property owners under the “Improvement Act of 1911.” The bridge vaults 104 ft above the canyon floor. The western sidewalk offers spectacular views of San Diego Bay, Coronado and Point Loma. Lampposts original to the bridge have been removed but historic plaques remain.
Backtrack north along First Avenue and turn left (west) on Spruce Street. At the base of this short block is an 
inconspicuous, but truly special footbridge. The Spruce Street suspension bridge was built in 1912 and is the only bridge of its type in San Diego. It crosses Kate Sessions Canyon, named after the famous horticulturist who started some of the plantings here. The footpath floats among tree tops, gracefully suspended from two steel cables anchored to concrete piers at either end. The lightness of the bridge allows it to sway and dance in response to wind and walkers. At the west end, turn right onto Brandt Street and meander along the historic residential streets as you return to Hillcrest.
Numerous, lovely canyons are located throughout our neighborhood. Enjoy a hike or join a group to help keep it cleaned.
Friends of Normal Heights Canyons
