Couple of thoughts on trail hiking. My hubby and I much prefer the less populated trails...although those rarely have bathrooms. But I'd take peeing in the forest over a busy trail. That's just me. We also avoid trails that don't allow the pooch to come. He has his own little doggie hiking pack that has a fold up bowl and we carry his water with us.
I usually go the less populated trails as well. Even just starting on a different trailhead is much less populated. But being so close to the city - or rather, in the middle of the city - makes it hard to get completely away from people.