Cowles Mountain

About this spot

The highest point in the city of San Diego, in Mission Trails Regional Park. From the summit you look west across the whole city toward the ocean, where the sun sets, and east over the inland mountains. The main trail from Golfcrest Drive is about 3 miles round trip with roughly 900 feet of climbing, on a rocky path with little shade. Allow two to three hours, and bring water and a headlamp for the descent, which can be slippery. The small trailhead lot fills quickly, so most hikers park on nearby streets.