In a city known for its beaches, Mount Soledad stands out as the mountain worth visiting. The highest coastal point in sunny San Diego overlooks the palm tree–lined Pacific Beach and the bluffs of Torrey Pines. The mountain is home to the the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial, which honors living and deceased veterans from the Revolutionary War to the present day. On a clear day, 360-degree views of the La Jolla shores, the bridge to Coronado Island, Mission Bay, and even the mountains of Mexico can be seen. The Basics The Mt. Soledad memorial is considered to be one of the most unique veterans memorials in the United States. Its 11 walls display names and photographs of veterans with plaques telling their stories, and its commanding memorial cross stands at a towering 29 feet tall. It also offers stellar views of the Pacific Ocean and the La Jolla coast from its mountaintop location. The site is free to visit, and a stop of the mountain is often included on half- and full-day tours of San Diego. Things to Know Before You Go The memorial is free to enter. While the base of the cross is only accessible via a large staircase, the site and its views are easily enjoyed from the bottom of the stairs. Visitors will find a parking lot, portable restrooms, and a lawn area suitable for picnics on-site. Volunteer docents are available to answer questions about the memorial. How to Get There Mount Soledad is located in the upscale La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. It’s often a stop on tours of San Diego and La Jolla; if visiting solo, access the mountaintop via Soledad Mountain Road or the San Diego Trolley. When to Get There The memorial is open daily from 7am to 10pm. Sunset is the most popular time to visit. Most days are clear and sunny with excellent ocean views, though summer can have a marine layer clouding the skies. Nearby San Diego Highlights The views from Mount Soledad provide an overview of much of what you’ll want to see in San Diego. For this reason, it’s a great starting point for exploring the city. Once you’ve checked out San Diego’s downtown, Old Town, and Gaslamp Quarter areas, head to the ritzy beachside community of La Jolla—famous for its sea lions and tide pools at La Jolla Cove. San Diego beaches, Balboa Park, and the renowned San Diego Zoo are all nearby as well.

When I heard about Mt Soledad from this guest post on my site I added it to my list to check out as I am found of crosses atop mountains like Mt Rubidoux and Grant Park. This cross even looks over the La Jolla coastline, which is one of my favorite beaches in California and it boasts a memorial with history from many of the lives that fought for our country over the last few wars. It seemed like a special place for a visit so I drove down there one Saturday morning.Mount Soledad is topped by a large concrete Christian cross, first built in 1913, and rebuilt twice. The cross was initially understood as a signal that Jews were not welcome in La Jolla. After it was challenged in court during the late 1980s, it was designated a Korean War memorial. It became the center of a controversy, known around the world, over the display of religious symbols on government property. It was ruled unconstitutional by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in January 2011Unlike any other memorial I have seen, this collection of plaques included both images and short description of their service etched into the granite. This is an amazing way to preserve a legacy as I found myself walking the lines and reading and looking into the faces of these heros.They also have some park benches you can sit at and I believe you can actually climb some part of the mountain instead of driving up it if that sounds more fun to you.The cross itself is about 25 feet tall and stands alone on the top of the memorial. You can’t touch the cross itself as there is a small gate around it but you can sit at its feet and take in the beautiful views.From the base of the cross you are treated to a beautiful view of the coast and city below. It was cloudy when I was there but I imagine it would be even more amazing when clear.There were some notable stand outs as well including two presidents and a dedication to a company called the magnificent bastards.In 2003 this cross was gathered up in a legal battle, like the Mt Rubidoux cross and was eventually sold to a private company so the separation of church and state could be upheld. There is even a sign saying this does not belong to the city at the base.

Bike, admire views, or delve into history at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. The most famous of hill's residents was Dr. Seuss, whose house is at the top. Switch gears, and pay your respects to war veterans at a Korean War memorial that resides nearby. Erected in 1913, the 8.8 m tall concrete cross has a controversial past and faces an uncertain future. However, the 251 m tall hill's many roads and light traffic primarily make it a popular cycling spot. You can opt for long and gradual climb or go for a short, steep uphill sprint. Note that cycling up the hill may be tricky on a windy day, and murky weather may obstruct the views. To visit Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial and get the most from your holiday in San Diego, create itinerary details personal to you using our San Diego online tour planner. On the web: http://www.soledadmemorial.com/

Mt. Soldead was first used as a Memorial Park in 1914. It was used by the Lindberghs for glider flights in the 1920′s. Transferred to Federal Government August 14, 2006 as National Veterans MemorialOur mission is to enhance and preserve the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial honoring veterans who have served our country and to educate the general public about service to our country and the sacrifices that veterans make to preserve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

Mount Soledad sits within Soledad Park, a large urban park approximately a mile from La Jolla Bay. It can be accessed on foot, by bike, or by car. Soledad Park Road loops around the historic Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial, which was provided by the Mount Soledad Memorial Association. The memorial originally comprised a simple cross made of redwood, but today a large white cross towers over brick steps and black granite plaques. There are currently more than 4,000 of these plaques, and each is dedicated to a veteran. Some of them honor veterans who served as far back as the Revolutionary War. For years the land on which the memorial is perched was public land. Since it appeared, there has been opposition to the religious nature of the monument. Sixty-one years after the current monument’s construction, the U.S. Department of Defense ended the controversy by selling the land to the Mount Soledad Memorial Association for $1.4 million. The property is a mere half acre, but the association was thrilled with the deal. While many people are drawn to the top of Mount Soledad by the memorial, the breathtaking panoramic view can be equally impressive. If you look northwest you will see Torrey Pines and Pacific Beach. San Diego stretches to the southeast, and if the weather cooperates you might be able to see all the way to Mexico. This is an excellent place to enjoy a picnic, watch the sun set, or check out the city lights by night. If you want to get in some exercise, hike or bike up Capri Street, and then head down on La Jolla Scenic Drive South. You can extend your journey by heading to nearby Windansea Beach or Nicholson Point. San Diego residents and visitors alike will not want to miss out on a trip up Mount Soledad.

A giant cross stands as the Soledad Cross in remembrance of the War Veterans of the USA. The memorial consists of veteran plaques which honour each person who has participated in the war on behalf of the US. It also acts as a registry of all the people who have fought in the war. Their names and backgrounds have been proudly displayed at this place. Interestingly, the Mount Soledad cross has been subject to much controversy over the years. The cross which is a Christian symbol has been objected to by many as being a symbol of religion instead of the brave people which it aims to honour. Nevertheless, it is a very important place that honours bravery, loyalty and courage and you should visit it if you want to take in an atmosphere of tremendous pride for the united states.