Cuyamaca Peak: San Diego’s Most Underrated Summit Hike

Cuyamaca Peak: San Diego’s Most Underrated Summit Hike

Quick Stats

  • Trail Type: Out & back
  • Distance: ~6 miles roundtrip
  • Elevation Gain: ~1,650 ft
  • Summit Elevation: 6,512 ft (second highest in San Diego County)
  • Trail Time: 2.5–3.5 hours
  • Park Fee: $10 per vehicle for day use
  • Dog Friendly: Yes (on leash)
  • Water on Trail: None — bring at least 1–2L

If you're looking for a half-day summit hike that offers everything from sweeping ocean views to rare winter snow, Cuyamaca Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is the go-to. It's only about an hour east of San Diego and delivers serious mountain vibes with minimal drive time.

Getting There & Parking

From San Diego, head east toward Julian, and enter Cuyamaca Rancho State Park via Highway 79. Your destination is Paso Picacho Campground — this is where you’ll park and start your hike.

  • 📍 Trailhead: Paso Picacho Campground
  • 🅿️ Parking Fee: $10 per vehicle (paid at the ranger kiosk or self-pay station)

The fee gets you all-day access to the park, and in my opinion, it’s absolutely worth it for a hike of this quality.

Trail Overview

Once parked, head toward the paved road that cuts through the campground. You’ll pass a few tent sites, cabins, and restrooms. The Cuyamaca Peak Fire Road starts at the far end and is your route to the summit.

The road itself is wide and fully paved — great for year-round use, but don’t let that fool you: the incline is steady and unrelenting for nearly 3 miles. You’ll gain over 1,600 feet of elevation in just a few miles.

⛔ No water on trail – be sure to fill up before starting. I usually bring 1.5–2L and finish about half of that, but more is better in warm months.

Summit Experience

After about 1.5–2 hours, depending on pace and breaks, you’ll reach the top. This is the second-highest peak in San Diego County, and the views are wide-ranging — you can see:

  • Downtown San Diego
  • La Jolla
  • Point Loma
  • Coronado and the ocean

The summit marker isn’t immediately obvious. Walk past the large cell phone tower and look for a faint side trail through the bushes. It leads to a rock with an old military-style ammo can containing a summit log — people leave notes, pictures, stories, and signatures.

This is where you’ll find the Cuyamaca Peak elevation sign (6,512 ft) — perfect for your summit photo.

The Way Down

The return is much easier — entirely downhill and can be done in under an hour. You’ll likely pass hikers heading up as you descend, so starting early is a good way to avoid crowds and heat.

When to Hike It: Seasonal Highlights

Cuyamaca Peak is a year-round hike, but the experience changes dramatically by season. Here are three standout times I’ve done it:

🌅 December Sunset Hike

We hiked up around 3 PM and caught golden hour at the summit. From 6,500 feet up, we could clearly see all of downtown San Diego lit in the late-day sun. It was clear, cold, and incredibly quiet. We camped that night at Paso Picacho — highly recommend checking out my camping blog for more information.

❄️ April — Snow Day

One of the most unique hikes I’ve ever done in San Diego. A snowstorm hit the night before, and we hiked up in 10 inches of snow — all while wearing shorts. It felt like we were somewhere in the Sierra. Locals were even skin-skiing up the fire road and skiing down. Total surprise.

☁️ May/June Cloud Inversion

We started just after sunrise and were treated to a cloud inversion — with the marine layer completely blanketing the valleys below. It looked like a sea of clouds with only the tallest peaks poking through. The temperature was mild, and the sky was crystal clear above the layer.

Other Tips

  • Footwear: Trail runners or hiking boots both work fine — the road is paved but steep.
  • Dogs: Allowed on leash.
  • Restrooms: Located at Paso Picacho Campground.
  • Cell Service: Limited. Let someone know before you go.

Final Thoughts

Cuyamaca Peak is one of those hikes you can do 10 times and have 10 completely different experiences. The trail is simple, but the setting and conditions make each visit unique. Whether you're looking for a snow adventure, golden sunset, or an early morning above the clouds — it’s all here.

It’s close to the city, well-maintained, dog-friendly, and has some of the best views in the county.

Location & Details

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