The honest take
Want to see all of San Diego at once? Drive up Mount Soledad. From the top you get a full circle: La Jolla and the ocean on one side, downtown, Coronado and on clear days the mountains and Mexico on the other. You can drive right up to it, so no sweaty hiking is required.
The top is a memorial with thousands of plaques honoring veterans, so treat it like the special place it is. Read a few of the stories, then take in the view quietly.
Go on a clear day, as June Gloom can hide everything. Sunset is beautiful, but go just before, as the gates close at 10 p.m.
Worth it? Skip it?
Worth it if
You want the big picture of San Diego in one stop, or the best sunset view that’s free.
Skip it if
It’s foggy. Then you’ll get a lovely view of a cloud.
Quick facts
| Area | La Jolla, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Dr |
| Cost | Free |
| Parking | Free; a few spaces at the top and a bigger lot a short walk down |
| Best time | Clear days, around sunset (open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) |
| Kids | Yes |
Photo: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
