Mount Soledad in La Jolla, CA

Towering over the southern California coastline Mount Soledad in La Jolla, CA gives you the chance to enjoy amazing, 360 degree views under the shadow of a beautiful towering cross. There are numerous veteran's plaques all along the summit. Mount Soledad is a well known fixture to the La Jolla area and it’s truly magnificent to look at.

On Mount Soledad, you’ll stand underneath the 43 foot high cross at an altitude of over 800 feet above sea level while enjoying the splendid views that the mount provides. You can watch a spectacular sunset, have a picnic or just enjoy panoramic views here. Parking is usually not a problem here. However, over the years the spot has become more popular and parking is more difficult, especially on the 4^th of July during the fireworks.

Beauty is everywhere you look and if you like to take pictures, Mount Soledad is a great spot for that. Right below Mount Soledad are orange terra cotta roofs of some truly gorgeous luxury homes and the shimmering waters of La Jolla Shores surrounded by white surf. To the north your eyes will gaze on the coastline that extends all the way up to Orange County.

Looking to the south there are views of Mexico with the San Diego city skyline and on a clear day you can see as far as The Coronado Islands in Mexico. And off to the east, there are vistas as far as the eye can see.

Just in case you were wondering what the cross is and what it stands for the story of the cross dates back to 1913. At that time Pacific Beach residents built a cross out of redwood and set it atop the mountain. Ten years later some thieves removed it and the replacement was created in 1934. The replacement cross was taken out by high winds in 1952.

Soon after that the current cross was built by the Mount Soledad Memorial Association to commemorate soldiers of the Korean and the two world wars. Ever since the cross of Mount Soledad was built it has been a subject of controversy. The problem appeared to be solved in the late 1990s when The San Diego Council sold the cross and the half acre of land that surrounds it to the Mount Soledad Memorial Association.

In 2002, mini walls were installed to honor the vets that are underneath the cross although they have fueled even more controversy from those who feel that the towering cross highlights Christian veterans over others that are there.

If you come to San Diego or La Jolla California, make sure you visit Mount Soledad. It's very close to San Diego downtown area, and you'll be glad you made the time to visit. For those that live here, tourists and visitors alike, Mount Soledad provides jaw-dropping views and the cross adds to the amazing experience. Mount Soledad and the cross are something you must see because words simply can't begin to describe it.