Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
550.00 ft (167.64 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
2.90 mi (4.67 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Monument Peak is a 3-mile hike in the Laguna Mountains just two hours northeast of downtown San Diego. This hike provides a glance into the great ecological diversity of San Diego County. The trail begins in a cool plateau forest ecotone, and it slowly ascends to the summit through a pine forest that in turn gradually fades to chaparral. At the peak hikers are rewarded with panoramic views as the mountainous landscape sharply descends into the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. On a clear day the view stretches as far as the Salton Sea.

To get there, begin hiking east on the Big Laguna Trail at mile 25.2 along the Sunrise Highway. In around a half-mile, turn left onto the Pacific Crest Trail. In approximately another half-mile, keep right at the fork to follow a trail through the manzanita forest. Soon after, the path widens and turns into a gravel road that ascends to the summit.

Logistics + Planning

Current Weather: Powered by Dark Sky

Mostly cloudy throughout the day.
Thu
69°F
51°
Partly cloudy throughout the day.
Fri
57°F
48°
Partly cloudy throughout the day.
Sat
65°F
47°
Clear throughout the day.
Sun
74°F
55°
Clear throughout the day.
Mon
72°F
49°
Clear throughout the day.
Tue
69°F
49°
Clear throughout the day.
Wed
69°F
48°

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

National Forest Adventure Pass required

Pros

Panoramic Views. Wildflowers. Solitude.

Cons

High temperatures in the summer.

Trailhead Elevation

5,700.00 ft (1,737.36 m)

Features

Big vistas
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.