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Mission Trails Regional Park, San Diego

Located along the San Diego River between San Diego and Santee, this massive park is a hidden jewel among the city's park system.

Located along the San Diego River between San Diego and Santee, this massive park is a hidden jewel among the city's park system. Consisting mostly of rugged, hilly scrubland, Mission Trails offers an excellent diversion from the hustle and bustle of the city. Numerous trails criss cross through the park, and there's an excellent visitor center with exhibits on the flora, fauna, and the human history in the area. You can also see the Old Mission Dam, which once provided water to the original mission community of San Diego just to the west in Mission Valley. Cowles Mountain, the tallest point in the city (1,591 feet above sea level), offers a lovely view of the surrounding area clear out to the ocean and is popular with runners and hikers, with several challenging trails ranging from three to five miles (round trip) featuring steep climbs, wooden steps, and rock crossings. Mission Gorge is one of the most popular rock climbing spots in the area, with over 150 routes from 5.0 to 5.12 grades, and suitable for the novice and the experienced climber. In the summers the gorge can be extremely hot in the direct sun, but the crag stays cool and shaded in the until around noon or 1PM. The rest of the year you can climb all day. Also within the park is Lake Murray Reservoir, which is open to boating and fishing.


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About Mission Trails Regional Park

 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA, United States

 +1 619-668-3281

 www.mtrp.org

Mission Trails Regional Park and Nearby Sights on Map

San Diego State University Aztecs

College basketball enthusiasts will recognize a familiar face coaching this team, National Champion Steve Fisher

Mission San Diego de Alcala

The first of the California missions, today Mission San Diego is an active Catholic Parish and a museum dedicated to the history of the mission

Qualcomm Stadium

Home to the NFL San Diego Chargers and the college SDSU Aztecs football teams

Kensington

Kensington, centered along Adams Avenue east of CA-15, is a small community with much charm

Ken Cinema

Watch an independent or classic film in this old style theater here

Westfield Mission Valley

Over 150 stores and restaurants, including a movie theater and the large Seau's sports restaurant

San Diego Ice Arena

Hazard Center

Much smaller than the big centers in the valley, but with a nice assortment of shops nevertheless

Tecolote Canyon Natural Park

Located in the neighborhood of Clairemont, Tecolote Canyon is a narrow coastal valley which offers miles of trails open to hiking and biking

Marian Bear Memorial Park

Located in the San Clemente Canyon along SR-52 from I-5 to I-805, this large park contains some very scenic trails