HIKE TO: Cowles Mountain TRAILHEAD: Cowles Mountain Trailhead (the popular TH) MILES: 2.7 miles out and back TIME: 1-2 hrs DATE I WENT: 12/11/23 and 4/11/15 DIFFICULTY: moderate ELEVATION: 1,591 ft ELEVATION GAIN: 913 ft HIKE PERMIT: no PARKING: lot and street LOCATION: San Diego, Southern California
Cowles Mountain is the highest point in San Diego city with an elevation of 1,591 ft. There are multiple trailheads to hike to Cowles Mountain and this post is for the popular trailhead from Cowles Mountain Staging Area. The short but steep hike leads to a beautiful panorama view of San Diego and the Pacific Ocean.
While the signs all say the hike is 3 miles out and back, I ran two trackers that recorded 1.36 one way.
Where is Cowles Mountain?
Cowles Mountain is San Diego City’s highest point and it is located in the San Carlos neighborhood. It is also part of Mission Trails Regional Park with multiple access points, but one is more popular than the rest.
How long does it take to hike Cowles Mountain?
This would depend on the trailhead you start at but for the popular trail listed here from Cowles Mountain Trailhead, it can take anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on your pace. It took me 30 minutes to hike up at a consistent, not slow but not fast pace.
I would recommend planning for 2 hours if you are slower and to enjoy time at the top and take in the views.
What to Pack for an Urban Hike
- Keen Zionic Mid-Hiking Boots: these are the perfect balance between city workout shoes and full-on mountain hiking boots They’re light, cushy, and comfy!
- Small Day Pack: a small backpack will suffice, just enough to carry water and the essentials. I really like this new backpack from Pingora because of the front shoulder pockets and comfortability. A fanny pack would be fine too but it’s not as comfortable for a steep hike and you would not have a place to carry your water.
- Water Bottle – 1 Liter
- Sunglass
- Hat
- Sun shirt – a sun shirt will help keep you cool on a sunny, warm day
- Garmin Fenix Watch if you want to track your hike and heart rate (currently 30% off until Dec 30)
Cowles Mountain Trailhead and Parking
The Cowles Mountain Trailhead in Mission Trails Regional Park is located off Golfcrest Dr and Navajo Rd by the Cowles Mountain Staging Area.
There is a small parking lot with restrooms, trailhead signs, and picnic tables. Due to the popularity of the hike, I would not bet on finding parking here but there is plenty of street parking on Golfcrest Dr.
Cowles Mountain Hike from Popular Trailhead at Cowles Mountain Staging Area
I wanted to get in a quick hike before I left San Diego to head back up towards Los Angeles, so I sought a short trail close to the city. I remember starting the hike to Cowles Mountain almost a decade ago from a different trailhead and since it is also the city’s high point, I thought it was time to return.
The hike to the summit of Cowles Mountain is very much an urban treasure — it’s a little slice of nature tucked away close to the city so you don’t have to go too far. It reminds me a little of Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Los Angeles but without the stairs. Both hikes, however, are conveniently located close within city limits, will get your heart rate pumping, and end with sweeping 360 views of the city, ocean, and hills.
The trail is very dry and the ground is a bit loose and slippery. There is no shade on this hike so I would avoid hiking this trail in the middle of a hot summer day. There is even a sign at the trailhead that warns you to hike during cooler hours only.
I drove here on a Monday morning in December around 10 am to find a full parking lot, but there was plenty of street parking further down Golfcrest Dr. Starting at 10:10 am, temperatures were already in the high 60s. From the bottom, you can see the top of Cowles Mountain already.
The trail snakes through Mission Trails Regional Park through a series of switchbacks. Parts of the trails around the curves of the switchbacks lack structure and require stepping on larger boulders, but the overall hike is very easy to follow. There are wooden rails and platforms throughout most of the trail too.
It starts flat but doesn’t stay that way for long. It quickly starts ascending through a series of steps and switchbacks. The entire hike consists of uneven ground beneath your feet so make sure you wear proper hiking boots to help with your footing. The ground can have uneven boulders or it may be flat with loose little rocks on top.
Just be mindful of your step — I saw a girl in regular workout/ gym shoes, holding a plastic Starbucks coffee cup on her hike down, slip, and fall.
While the ascent is gradual and consistent, the terrain is not. Cowles Mountain may be located in a regional park, but this is certainly not your typical “walk in the park”. Be careful.
There are trail markers along the way to mark 0.25 miles and 1 mile of the hike, but take these with a grain of salt.
The views are the same the entire way up, which is the same as the summit view, so I’d recommend just powering through the hike and enjoying the view from the top.
There is a trail junction over halfway up and you want to be sure to keep left to stay on the trail to Cowles Mountain Summit.
The summit is very wide and open with plenty of space off to the sides so you can enjoy the views to yourself. There are several trashcan bins up here too so while it is encouraged you always pack out what you pack in, you could throw your trash away here too.
On a clear day, enjoy the 360 panoramic views from of Mt Woodson, San Jacinto Mountain, Palomar Mountain, Santee Lakes, El Cajon Mountain, El Capitan, Cuyamaca Peak, Gillespie Field, Viejas Mountain, Grossmont Collage, Laguna Mountains, Los Pinos Mountain, Mc Ginty Mountain, Lyons Peak, Tecate Peak, Mt. Helix, San Ysidro Mountains, San Miguel Mountains, the Pacific Ocean, Murray Reservoir, Downtown San Diego, and Cabrillo State Marine Reserve Southern Boundary.
I bet this would be an epic after-work sunset hike though!
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Let’s chat — Drop a comment below 🙂
More San Diego Hikes
Where to Stay in San Diego
📍Hilton San Diego Bayfront is a budget-friendly, 4-star ⭐, beach-front hotel. Enjoy the best of both worlds and relax by the ocean after hiking up a small mountain.
📍Kings Inn San Diego is a great pick if you are not looking for anything fancy, not super close to the hustle and bustle of downtown (although it’s close to Old Town), an easy drive to Cowles Mountain, and budget-friendly. It’s a 1960s-themed hotel closer to all of the zoos and parks.
📍Hotel del Coronado is a historic and iconic, Victorian beach resort in San Diego and a must-stay (or at least visit) if you are visiting for the first time. It’s located on Coronado Island and the ice cream here is a must-try!
Things to do in San Diego
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