Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park
4.5
About
Just a few minutes from downtown San Diego, Mission Trails Regional park has hiking trails, campgrounds, fishing, picnic facilities, and lots of wide open spaces. Run, bike or walk and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful scenery.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
181 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
50
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Drew Baxter
Toronto, Canada169 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
The San Diego Natural History Museum recommended this trail on its “ Ten Great Hikes for Fall”. They were so right. There was so much wildlife to enjoy and on a Monday morning it was peaceful and serene. Staff/volunteers at the glorious visitors Center are friendly and have great advice.
Written 23 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimRiesterer
Edina, MN6,064 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
A huge natural area of some 8,000 acres located in the middle of San Diego. We arrived on a warm sunny Friday and after getting some advice from the helpful volunteer (Jen), set out on the visitors center loop trail. It took about 90 minutes on this largely Sandy trail that meandered through the shrubs.
There's not much shade so be sure to top off your water bottle before you head out. The visitors center is really big and very nice with a small gift shop, bathrooms and places to get water. There are a ton of other trails of varying lengths so with the right preparation it’s a great place for hiking and exploring.
There's not much shade so be sure to top off your water bottle before you head out. The visitors center is really big and very nice with a small gift shop, bathrooms and places to get water. There are a ton of other trails of varying lengths so with the right preparation it’s a great place for hiking and exploring.
Written 1 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fietsen1
California572 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
My wife and I spent the entire afternoon here. The park was very easy to get to and there was plenty of parking. The Visitor Center is well staffed and the people who work there are extremely friendly. We spoke with one of the park rangers who gave us a detailed orientation to the park. The Visitor Center also had very clean bathrooms and a water station where you could fill up your bottles. My wife and I set off on the trails and we did some relatively easy hiking. It was a little hot, so we did not go up into the mountains. The trails were very well-maintained and the signage was great. We had no problems getting around. Towards the later part of the afternoon we started to watch the sun go down and it felt absolutely gorgeous. The views were spectacular.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew F
Oradell, NJ5 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
This is what you suspect it will be - hiking through the desert that is San Diego. The trails are reasonably well maintained and were easily navigated using AllTrails.
I hiked in from Mission Gorge and Jackson, trail was a little steep initially but manageable to anyone in reasonably good shape.
I found the trails rather boring though - pretty much no wildlife to speak of, just dirt and brush. I had intended to go to South Fortuna, but it got hot and we turned back. Views from the hills in between were just ok.
I hiked in from Mission Gorge and Jackson, trail was a little steep initially but manageable to anyone in reasonably good shape.
I found the trails rather boring though - pretty much no wildlife to speak of, just dirt and brush. I had intended to go to South Fortuna, but it got hot and we turned back. Views from the hills in between were just ok.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark
Aubrey, TX47 contributions
We've lived in San Diego for the past eight years and visited many hiking trails, but nothing compares to Cowles Mountain. This 1.5 mile hike can be quite challenging, given the incline and rocky terrain. But if you are in moderately decent physical shape with the proper shoes, you will be rewarded with a spectacular 360 degree view of what amounts to the entire county! Once at the top, there's plenty of seating available on large rock outcroppings from which to catch your breath and take in the scenery.
I strongly recommend quality shoes designed for hiking and a 2-3 liter Camelback. I saw several people who were visibly uncomfortable going to and from the summit, and one needed only look at their footware to understand their pain. One woman was gallant - or ignorant - enough to climb in slippers!
There are restroom facilities at the beginning of the trail, but until you return, you'll find no where else to utilize should Mother Nature beckon. Water is best carried in a Camelback, or similar backpack device. The trail can be daunting in many places and trying to hold on to your water bottle can add to the challenge.
The entire hike - roundtrip - took my wife and I right around two hours, including our stop at the summit.
A good cross-reference would be the Diamond Head hike in Waikiki. Those of you who have successfully experienced that beautiful trail will no doubt enjoy Cowles Mountain.
One more item I would also highly recommend: a camera! Had I thought to bring ours, photos would have been submitted along with this review.
I strongly recommend quality shoes designed for hiking and a 2-3 liter Camelback. I saw several people who were visibly uncomfortable going to and from the summit, and one needed only look at their footware to understand their pain. One woman was gallant - or ignorant - enough to climb in slippers!
There are restroom facilities at the beginning of the trail, but until you return, you'll find no where else to utilize should Mother Nature beckon. Water is best carried in a Camelback, or similar backpack device. The trail can be daunting in many places and trying to hold on to your water bottle can add to the challenge.
The entire hike - roundtrip - took my wife and I right around two hours, including our stop at the summit.
A good cross-reference would be the Diamond Head hike in Waikiki. Those of you who have successfully experienced that beautiful trail will no doubt enjoy Cowles Mountain.
One more item I would also highly recommend: a camera! Had I thought to bring ours, photos would have been submitted along with this review.
Written 1 April 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SanDiegoNick
San Diego, California225 contributions
This does not belong anywhere near the top of the list of interesting or touristy things to do or see in San Diego. This is a mostly-treeless area reserved for locals to get an exercise hike in on the weekends without having to drive very far. If you're a first-time visitor to San Diego, you won't want to spend your time here. I'll venture to say 99% of San Diegans have never been here, and probably 80% of them couldn't find it on a map. Only consider visiting this place if you need to really break a sweat, and you want to get away from the urban environment to do so.
Written 10 August 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jwongcsp
San Diego, CA26 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
I happen to live near the East end of Claremont Mesa Blvd.near the trail head, and noticed a "Meter Maid" putting parking tickets on cars parked in the Bike Lane. I feel bad for all you hard working folks who just want to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Please park on Rueda or other residential streets nearby. Sadly, the Meter Maids are a great income source for City government.
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruben G
San Diego, CA27 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
The Mission Trails Regional Park is one of the favourite hiking spots in San Diego, if you love the environment and to be in the nature thats the place for you to be. There is a nice not to difficult hike which need around 50 minutes to climb, if you are an beginner, you can make it in 40, if you are an more professional and active person. Anyways everybody who likes sports outdoors, will like this place go there and visit the Mission Trails Regional Park Museum as well of course!!
Written 26 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MonicaChicago
Los Angeles, CA32 contributions
Great park for hikes and scenery, but can be a little dangerous sometimes. Watch out for the million rattlesnakes lurking everywhere -- I know of dogs that were bitten. This regional area is home to coyotes and mountain lions and I have personally encountered a cougar while hiking, which was terrifying beyond belief. It's like being on the wrong side of the fence at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. There are more people on the weekends, but also less solace, so if you go during the weekdays for some peace and quiet and to commune with nature, be aware that sometimes there are creepy men sitting in their cars or trucks watching the women runners go by. Keep extra vigilant for all types of predators, human and animal, if you go alone, or go with a group for safety in numbers, as attacks on women, and attempted abductions, have been known to happen there.
Written 15 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dsrtgrl
Charlotte, NC449 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
If you have half a day and are looking to experience the beauty of San Diego from a different vantage point a climb to the summit of Cowles Mountain ele.1592 ft. puts you as high as you can go in the city. The climb is rated a 5 but if you're in reasonable shape (can climb 50+ flights of stairs) and have proper footwear (no flipflops or sneakers, hiking boots recommended) you'll be glad you took the challenge.
There are two ways to access the summit. The more popular route begins at the corner of Navajo Rd and Golfcrest Dr in San Carlos. Access is easy off 8 or 125. The back route which is a bit steeper and longer but far less travelled is off Mesa Rd at Big Rock Park. There are restroom facilities and off-street parking at both locations. Be sure to download a trail map or pick one up at the Visitor Center before you begin your ascent especially from Big Rock Park as the trails aren't as well marked on the back side of the mountain. Carry at least one litre of water with you and if it's warm plan on a sunrise departure and wear sunscreen and a hat.
There is a coffee shop across the street to pick up beverages and snacks before or after your ascent.
There are two ways to access the summit. The more popular route begins at the corner of Navajo Rd and Golfcrest Dr in San Carlos. Access is easy off 8 or 125. The back route which is a bit steeper and longer but far less travelled is off Mesa Rd at Big Rock Park. There are restroom facilities and off-street parking at both locations. Be sure to download a trail map or pick one up at the Visitor Center before you begin your ascent especially from Big Rock Park as the trails aren't as well marked on the back side of the mountain. Carry at least one litre of water with you and if it's warm plan on a sunrise departure and wear sunscreen and a hat.
There is a coffee shop across the street to pick up beverages and snacks before or after your ascent.
Written 31 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, but cleaning up after your dog is required
Written 17 June 2018
are there any paved paths or easy flat trails to push a toddler in a stroller? Not a jogger stroller, but a traditional small collapsable stroller.
Written 4 August 2016
Yes there are. You can walk from the visitors center to the other side of mission hills (Santee) it's flat & paved. Or park in the lots in Santee (not paved) and walk to the paved road that will end up at the visitors center. It's a very nice walk. There is a stream/San Diego river you walk by. Have always felt safe
Written 4 September 2016
It will probably be the trail near the Old Mission Dam hike, I don't recall the name of it but you can't miss it if you're at the dam.
Written 27 June 2016
How do I get there using public transportation from Old Town Station in San Diego?
Written 24 January 2015
Sorry that this is late, but we just got done visiting. You'd want to either use the green line of the trolley car system (which really is more of a subway or monorail type of system!) to Santee, and change over to metro transit with the bus (I forget which number bus line) at the San Diego State University stop. The transit system in San Diego is one of the best in the country (if not the world) and very easy to utilize!
Written 10 May 2017
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