32.842211, -117.259277
Dog Friendly: Yes Kid-Friendly: Yes
Miles: It varies between .25 miles and 42 acres of hiking trails Level: Easy-Moderately strenuous
The hills of Mt. Soledad have proven to hold countless hidden gems. Beyond the massive homes of some of the city’s wealthiest people, troll bridges and even a munchkin house, one of the greatest reasons to visit Mt. Soledad is for the views.
Driving through the winding roads of Mt. Soledad can seem a little tight and even scary turning blind roads. The cramped roads gives you the feeling that most of the land has either already been developed on or is private property.
What many don’t realize though, is there is a special preserve here that not only offers some of the best coastal views around, but also boasts 42 acres of hiking trails!
La Jolla Natural Park is without a doubt a hidden gem. There are two ways to enter this park: one is a 1.5 mile climb up the mountain, the other is a 1 minute hike. Either way, the parking will be slim, which makes visiting it a bit of a challenge.
If you’re ok with tight street parking along the curvy roads, then parking shouldn’t be too much of a problem. If you park at the top, once you make it to the trailhead, within seconds you will be greeted with stunning views of the coastline.
If you only visit once, I would say that springtime is the best time to visit. The wildflowers will be blooming and everything will be lush and brimming with life. I haven’t hiked the trails that navigate through the hillsides yet, but I will one day!