Why Cyclists Keep Climbing San Diego's Mount Soledad
San Diego – – September 28, 2026 -- Cyclists in San Diego are increasingly drawn to Mount Soledad, a climb that ends not just at a scenic overlook but at a nearly century-old veterans memorial.
Multiple routes lead to the same summit
Mount Soledad offers several distinct roads to the top. Some are short and steep, testing riders early with punishing pitches. Others wind longer through residential streets, offering a more gradual but sustained effort. Regardless of the route chosen, every path converges at the same summit.
A nearly 30-foot cross anchors the memorial
At the top stands the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial, centered on a large white cross rising nearly 30 feet and visible from much of the city below. An American flag flies beside it. The structure has stood on the hilltop in some form for close to a century.