I had read this was a secret spot in La Mesa where folks could get a nice bump in their heart rate by ascending and descending these steps. The La Mesa Public Stairs were located on a hillside neighborhood in which the layout was essentially pedestrian connectors between three different terrace levels. You can park curbside on any street and then stroll over to the foot of the first set of stairs on Windsor Dr. The climb was pretty shaded when I came on a mid-afternoon, but it wasn't long before my breathing picked up. I occasionally use the stairmill at the gyms where I exercise. However, the machine can't simulate the elevation change that occurs when you are out in nature's terrain. At the top of each set, you had to cross a small street to reach the beginning of the next steps. I was able to go up and down one time in less than 10 minutes. If you repeat the path and do multiple circuits, then one can easily spend between 30 minutes to a full hour of cardio burn. The views near the top were pretty as you get a glimpse of some of La Mesa's upscale properties. Kids and leashed dogs would enjoy the climb as this is a family friendly activity. read more

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SECRET STAIRS THAT ARE PUBLIC I was introduced to the secret stairs history and all of the secret terraces on Meet Up (Saturday Morning Weekly Hike-La Mesa's Secret Stairs!). I hope you support the group). THE ENCHANTED TREE Totally worth 60 minutes at the beginning your day. Then to top the icing on the cake you'll be enchanted by The Enchanted Tree.  On the Meet Up you will learn historical tips about the stairs and the community. MOST GOALS CAN BE ACHIEVED 1000 steps, and I kept thinking, "That's how we reach our goals. One step at a time." I'm on step 222. Or 22. You got me step 2. But at least I'm stepping forward.  DO I NEED A DEFILIBRATOR? It's more of a walk rather than a workout though your heart rate increases. You can stay after the Meet Up and complete your own workout, which will likely be rigorous.  I would totally make this a stop for nonlocals visiting. You could seriously wear leisure clothes like jeans or workout wear. Actually, after the secret stairs I went to 24 hour and had an invigorating barbell session. I wore Doc Martens and that was suffice. Captipating views of the sky, the aweness of individual homes, landscapes, and land structures.  It was sort of like walking in nature.  Respect the residents-please. "I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." -- Jimmy Dean #juken123 #onestepatatime #secretstairsthatarepublic #alternativetonature #respecttheresidents #theenchantedtree read more

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Good workout on these steps - wish there were more. It only takes about fifteen minutes to complete but it's a great workout

I've been hearing about these stairs for awhile and since it's not too far from where I live, I decided to venture out and find it. I was bored with my hikes/walks and since gyms are closed, I needed a change of scenery and a more challenging workout. Easy to find if you follow google maps and is nestled inside the residential neighborhoods of La Mesa. The stairs and rails are in good condition. Not very busy and everyone is respectful by moving aside to let faster people go thru. Each set of stairs is separated by a street so you can catch your breath and walk thru the neighborhood instead of climbing another set of stairs to the top. You definitely get a good workout and your reward is the beautiful views along the way. Will be adding this to my workout rotation. read more

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No need to find a Stairmaster to use; just go here, hahaha. The address will lead you to a long set of stairs in a residential area. The stairs are fairly shaded and well-kept. People that I've seen here do multiple laps (I was able to do 1.5 before I gave up lol). The neighborhood is on a hill so at the top you'll see a majestic view of La Mesa haha. Just as a side note, the neighborhood itself makes a fun place for jogging as the streets have nice mild inclines and declines. Most of the houses here are custom-built so even just a walk around the neighborhood is pretty nice as well. Easy to find neighborhood street parking. read more

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Love love love !! Good workout definitely a fantastic way to spend your spring mornings and definitely worth the climb for a view !

Oh my goodness if you're out of shape these stairs will get you in shape real quick. I'm always up for a good free work out and these stairs are just that. This neighborhood is great because of the views of the city and it's pretty quiet too. These stairs are not a secret but it's not a busy place to get your exercise on. There isn't a parking lot so be prepared to park on the street also because this area has lots of hills don't forget to set your parking brake. If you haven't been working out and decide to tackle these stairs I promise you that you'll regret it for the next 4 days or so. Also be respectful to the home owners by being quite and cleaning up after yourself. read more

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Parked on canterbury near windsor. 1st flight of stairs in which various street cut through in the hill was 259 steps.. the longest of the 3 stairways on this hill. Nice view of the city even halfway up. When u reach the top of the hill, Go downhill and find another staircase on left side going downhill which ends on Beverly (near Acacia Av) 185 steps. Then walk downhill on acacia and turn left on Fairview. Stairs on left side past Alta Ln. This one was pretty short. From here we went back to where we started turning right (on vista), left on summit, right on Pasadena, left on windsor. All the homes up here look different, probably built during different times. Nice neighborhood..good walk. read more

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After a few hours of my dog staring at me with the bored to death looking in his eyes, "Alright" I said. "Lets go find these rumored La Mesa stairs". With his tail wagging 500 miles a minute, we set out for adventure. Not too far from our house it was a quick walk the start of these stairs. There were for sure way more stairs than I had expected but the views from the top were fantastic. Great for walking, especially with dogs. Make sure you bring enough water for everyone in your party. Not the easiest to find on your own but a quick google map search, and your on your way. read more

Phew that's tiring, but nice! Very well kept place and tons to look at to take your mind off of sore legs. I'm trying to work out more and be more active so this was a bit of a challenge for me. I said that I would go up twice but after the first time I decided that I will work my butt up to that!! I was however, super impressed with the couple that went up and down twice while we were there and especially when I saw them doing push ups at the top. Yeah, I'm not there yet but maybe one day! The view is gorgeous on each level and the houses were awesome! Plenty of parking nearby. read more

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The secret stairs are a great way to quickly get some cardio in. The stairmaster is no competition when it comes to the La Mesa Public Stairs. The secret stairs will get your blood pumping and the sweat pouring. You can't easily do a couple of laps depending on your tolerance. I did the secret stairs for at least 4-5 time before an older woman told me that I was only halfway after she overheard me talking about reaching the "top". I was glad that she informed me that where 2/3 additional flights of stairs located half a block away off of Summit Dr. After FULLY one full round, my legs were like jelly and I was impressed with feeling the burn the next day. Given this is a free form of exercise, there are plenty of people running/walking up and down the stairs people are always respectful and courteous. Majority of the Secret Stairs are covered by trees so it makes for an easy rest when working out. I suggest taking your time when working out at the stairs and listen to your body. I've seen plenty of people working out on the stairs and they look like they're an inch away from passing out. During the summer months, mare sure you're hydrating while working out. read more

The view is absolutely amazing but it is not posted that you do not have to walk all those flights of stairs to see the pretty view you could drive all the way up to the top to the end of the cul-de-sac just keep on driving in case you don't wanna do the hike or the walk and you just want to look at the pretty view I didn't know that when I went but if you don't wanna walk all those stairs you just keep going all the way up until you reach the end of the cul-de-sac the view is very very pretty very very relaxing and there's a cute little stray black cat who likes to come and rub against your leg he's so sweet and he is so nice read more

Pros: 1. Nice city view as you go higher 2. Clean and quiet neighborhood 3. Easy to locate 4. Tons of street parking Cons: 1. Confusing map. There are 3 flights of stairs based on the map shared on Yelp but my friend and I could not find the third flight. The GPS guided us to start at Windsor Dr which we believe to be the middle one. If you are from the hood and you get bored from hiking Cowles Mt, these flights of stairs might be a good alternative. My friend was a marathon runner so she went up and down 5 times like nothing. I recently started to work out regularly so with her motivation, I was able to go up and down the flights 4 times. (My legs felt like noodles after the 3rd round though! lol). If I can do it, you can do it too! Don't be afraid to push your limit and drink a lot of water as you conquer these stairs! read more

La Mesa Public Stairs - The stairs on a cloudy day! :) - Hiking Near Me - La Mesa, California

Love the stairs for a great workout for your calves! I counted about 284 stairs, someone numbered each flight as well, I think I made it to the top. Up and down 3-5times you will feel it next day. Bring a hat, water, headphones and enjoy the view at the top. Keep the chattering and talking to a minimum because there are people's yards that are right up against stairs. Be respectful and enjoy these stairs and walk the neighborhood too! Less than a mile from main street in La Mesa for shopping, coffee spots, lunch, dinner, beer and wine tastings. read more

La Mesa Public Stairs - Great views - Hiking Near Me - La Mesa, California

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Let me tell you something... With all the craze with hikers doing mountain trails all around the county, this is really good urban workout that will definitely work your calves, quads, and glutes, and the sets of stair flights offer wonderful views over the City of La Mesa! For the most part, the stairway condition and handrails are in good to very good condition. These stairs aren't easy, but the level of difficulty can be easily increased or decreased by either going up faster or slower depending on each stairclimber's fitness level. We parked at the intersection of Canterbury Drive and Windsor Drive and climbed what was discovered to be the longest and greatest number of steps out of the 3 different legs in the nearby vicinity. We then traversed 2nd stair flight set connecting Summit Drive and Beverly Drive. This leg was not quite as challenging as the 1st one, but it was also far from easy to do (1st time we walked down these stairs, 2nd time we had to go UP these stairs... Very tiring to do towards the end of your stairclimbing workout) Finally, we did the stair flight connecting Vista Drive and Fairview Avenue. That 3rd stair flight was the shortest of the 3 and almost a chance to catch your breath when comparing it to the other 2 If you just wanted a quick stairclimbing workout with very little "in-between" walks around the neighborhood, you can also just do only the 1st flight 2-3 times! I guarantee you if you don't do a lot of stairclimbing or hiking, that even one trip up the 1st set will have you breathing hard, and your heart rate up to a level you don't normally bring it to very often. This was me and my 18-yr old & 12-yr old's first time doing these La Mesa public stairs. They were a lot of fun, the views were awesome, they're FREE, and you can get a pretty good lower body workout in a relatively short amount of time. This definitely won't be our last time we do these stairs. 5 1/2 Stars for this review if you ask me. read more

Wow, stairmaster in my front yard! This place is only 2.5 miles away from me (and with Cowles Mountain in my backyard), there's no need for a gym membership! Too bad I bought the 24 Hr Fitness one from Costco.... Anyways, there are plenty of signs asking you to not disturb the neighborhood while going up and down these stairs. Just be careful as each set of stairs is interrupted by a cross street....the streets can be narrow and are windy/curvy, so it's hard to see a car coming, especially with cars parked on the sides of the streets. In order for me to see if a car was coming from my right, I had to peek my head around the front of a parked car and nearly got hit by a passing car. read more

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When I heard about these flight of stairs I was excited to take on this challenge. I am always looking for ways to change up my workout routine every now and then. Like a few other yelpers have mentioned, the yelp directions will take you right to the set of stairs off of Windsor. Very easy to find and easy to find parking. The neighborhood is older, established and quiet. The neighbors are also very friendly as I had to ask them a few questions regarding the flight of stairs. According to the reviews there are three sets of stairs. My workout buddy and I were only able to find two out of the three. If you park on Windsor, the first one is off of Windsor that ends at what I believe is Summit Dr. Then if you make a left and follow that road, it'll lead you to another set of stairs and you'll end up on Beverly and Acacia. Good quad and glute workout! Did the flight of stairs quite a few times. Still on the lookout for the 3rd flight of stairs. Gonna incorporate a short run in between the sets of stairs next time! Luckily, I work close by, so I can work this into my weekly workout routine. Otherwise, it's a bit of a drive and out of the way if you don't have any business out In the East county. read more

La Mesa Public Stairs - First set of stairs - off of Windsor - Hiking Near Me - La Mesa, California

Don't let these pictures fool you!! Yelpers were right!! The stairs kicked my butt!! The picture don't look bad...wait until you get here the stairs are steep!!! You're pretty much going up the stairs and going up blocks of the streets. Not sure exactly how many blocks. I did about 3 flights up and down in 30 minutes. The great thing is there wasn't a lot of people on a Sunday mid morning. So put your headphones on, enjoy the views, breathe in some fresh air and get ready for a sweat :) read more

Great set of stairs! Nothing fancy but a great workout nonetheless. I suggest running to the spot for a more intense workout. There are amazing hills surrounding the steps and something you should consider. Neighbors are nuts about noise. Just be forewarned. However, they're public stairs on public property. No one can make you 'not talk' as the signs say. read more

I like the stairs because they're a break from the routine hills that comprise this area of La Mesa. Some people refer to them as the "hidden stairs", so I guess they're cool in a speakeasy kind of way. They could be better though. There's no drinking fountain nearby. There are houses on both sides, and keeping noise to a minimum is always requested. Additionally, the stairs go through about four blocks and you have to cross three streets to get from the top to the bottom, and unfortunately, there are no crosswalks. read more

Right around where the crossroads meet, the "secret stairs" are absolutely awesome. It's a great workout, the three sets together are around 229 steps one way. In addition to the solid cardio, the view is also absolutely gorgeous. In a nice little neighborhood, pretty quiet and I've always found parking. Highly recommended if looking for a good workout with a view read more

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Not that many stairs. Nice if you live in the neighborhood but I would not go out of my way to walk them. To get a work out you might need to do them multiple times which takes the fun out of it (at least for me). I would go out of my way to see downtown La Mesa. And you could tack the stairs on to a little jaunt to Gypsy Treasure or the Labyrinth. read more

Very nice! Easier than it looks. Couldn't find the other stairs that are listed in other yelpers pictures. Easy parking and go early so there's not a crowd. I went late and people started coming. read more

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The stairs are tucked in the hills, a little hidden from the world. You definitely won't just run into them, you have to either live in the neighborhood or do your research to find them...anywho.. I was definitely huffing and puffing and after a couple of times doing all three sets, I had to quit. With all the sweating and heavy breathing going on, I thought for sure I'd be sore the next morning-(O_o)- surprisingly, I was walking fine, as if it never even happened. As others have mentioned, you should be quiet and respectful of the neighbors. I found the view to be quite pretty. It'll be nice to switch up between the stairs and Cowles Mountain. read more

I recently found out about this place late of 2017, Even though I went to helix for four years! The last 6 times I was there I saw people making out and I saw people smoking weed and getting drunk! My friend just told me about this Hidden sttaircase to heaven December 2017! Thank you so much I can come here and work out and toned up my butt rather than spending $400 for the gym membership thank you so much! read more

This place is a hidden gem! Definitely not for the faint at Heart. Not only does it give you quite a workout, but the scenery is quite amazing once you get to the summit. These stairways were installed many years ago to facilitate foot traffic through the adjacent neighborhoods. La Mesa is one of the few areas in San Diego County that have a system of public stairways. That being said, where to start is an adventure all in itself: (there are 3 starting places to choose from) 1. Windsor Drive: In it, you climb a total of 245 steps, interrupted by two cross streets, to reach the top of Summit Drive. 2. Canterbury Drive: This is much the same as Windsor Drive but I found it a little more scenic to the eye (and a lot more shaded by trees for those really hot days) 3. Fairview Avenue: This is a shorter stairway and the path I chose to start with on this course. It ascends 44 steps, crosses Pasadena Avenue, and continues for another 16 steps to a paved pathway up to Vista Drive. It may be only 60 steps total, but with the steep pathway is an incredibly good workout nonetheless! Where you choose to start is up to you. I mapped out this course through my ANDROID phone and made it as challenging as I wanted it to be (note* I'm heavily into fitness) All in all, these stairways can be steep at times, so just be prepaired for a really good workout. There's a lot to love about La Mesa's "HIDDEN STAIRS"...it's got beautiful scenery, the people around the neighborhood are nice (they know you're there to workout) and to be honest, I was totally exhausted after finishing this course... 5 Stars!!! read more

If you can't afford a membership to the gym, and live in the La Mesa area, you cannot beat the La Mesa stairs. Not only does it give you quite a workout (within weeks you'll be able to kill a man with one squeeze of your legs), but it's in the calm, serene setting of Mt. Nebo. It's easy to get lost around here looking for the stairs to continue, so you'll need to print up a map. I'm too lazy to look up which map is more acurate, but one of them got us lost because it left out some streets, and they weren't drawn very well. Nevertheless, once you get to summit the view is amazing. You can see the whole city, which of course gives you a sense of acomplishment as you have your heart attack. The neighbors are also amazingly friendly! They seem happy to point you in the right direction and they say HELLO when they walk by, which is sadly uncommon these days. I can't blame them for being so good-natured though, they live in one of the more charming neighborhoods in the area. It really is like a mini-mountain, peaceful with well cared for homes full of people who probably never want to leave. I wouldn't either! read more

This is probably my favorite morning spot. Clean, usually pretty quiet and no matter how many times I've ran these stairs, it just never seems to get easier! Lol! Definitely challenging. read more

La Mesa Public Stairs - One of my favorite morning spots. Clean, quiet and no matter how many times I've ran these stairs, never seems to get easier! - Hiking Near Me - La Mesa, California

I've heard about the majestic stairs a lot after I moved to La Mesa. I finally found my way there after the parking lot at my gym was full. You can park exactly where the yelp directions lead you. There was only 1 other set of people doing the stairs once I got there. I am hardly in shape, first time up and back my legs were a bit sore but I knew I could make it one more time. OMG 2nd time was brutal. Once I got to the top my legs were shaking, I was afraid I would fall down the stairs coming down!! 1 time up is 250 stairs, plenty of places to take breaks as long as there aren't too many people doing them. Bring water with you, you will want it at the top, or at least leave it in your car. Great work out, can't wait to try it again! read more

NEW Favorite PLACE TO WORK OUT! Actually after checking these steps out today, i promptly cancelled my 24 hour membership. The view from the top is BEAUTIFUL :) When i lived in LA, I used to work out at the Santa Monica steps and I've been looking for something similar since i moved to San Diego. I recommend starting with a few sets and building up gradually. Trust me, you will feel the burn the nest day and its sooo worth it. These are a total hidden gem and i HIGHLY RECOMMEND them to anyone serious about getting in shape. 10 sets of these 5 days a week and your on your way to being a BUTT MODEL. read more

La Mesa Public Stairs - Once at the top bang left and walk/jog/crawl uphill for a few mor houses and there are more hidden steps on your left!! - Hiking Near Me - La Mesa, California

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NO TALKING, SHUT IT, STOP STOP SHH!! HA HA HA I understand the homeowners want peace but, no talking during the day is a little much for me. read more

If you want to push yourself beyond limits you never thought existed, welcome to heaven on earth! read more

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Just moved to the area and heard about the stairs. I was eager to try them out. The views are really awesome and you get a great workout!!!! It's cool that the stairs are hidden away and you have to kinda look for them. read more

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So worth the climb! but Don't go mid day! Climb to the top and then loop around the neighborhood for the extra mileage. And when you need to take a breather, just make sure you look back at the view. No bathrooms since it's in the neighborhood. If you really need to go, just drive back down the hill to Starbucks or Vons. Happy Hiking! #takeahike read more

Decided to finally give this place a try, considering its so close to where I love. It's a pretty good place to go for a quick stairs workout, its not to busy like the convention center stairs, there is plenty of shade and you can rest after intervals of stairs. Pretty cool old staircases, defintely worth of a visit if you're in old La Mesa city. read more

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I've been coming beta few times a week for the past three weeks. what can I say.....they kick ass (literally)!! There are apparently two sets of stairs, I've only test driven one. If the back set is anything like the front ones, they're intense. 248 stairs, including the curbs next to the streets. Although there are a bunch of trees and bushes lining the stairs on both sides, it can get pretty hot anytime after 10:00am. I usually go around 8:30 am and I see the same few women. Not that many people there and stairs are good for all levels. Hint: stairs are thee only exercise that you can do at whatever speed and burn the same amount of calories. So if you sprint them or walk them, you've burnt the exact same amount of calories when you reach the top. In other words, don't knock the old ladies you're flying by cause she's doing the same amount of work you are. Have fun!!!! read more

Great workout, definitely worth it. My fitbit usually says 3500-4000 steps when we're done here, we love this place. My son is 6 and does this hike too so its kid friendly, definitely would not recommend a stroller. Pretty cool view too. read more

Gotta love a workout so close in the neighborhood. The area off of Normal street is a lil shady if you are coming up from University Ave. Do respect the neighbors, but yes this is a great lil walk. Also, a fun way to get to downtown La Mesa. read more

Just recently discovered these stairs... and my lower body has been nothing but thankful. As the winner of 'Best Booty' in high school, my college years have not been kind to my gluteus maximus. But as an ex-athlete (volleyball, not that it makes a difference lol) I'm determined to return this asset to its former glory. Which is why I've added these stairs into my workout routine. I usually try to sprint the full set multiple times until I feel like throwing up and then do one more (with short water breaks between each time...) And by the end of it not only am I sweating profusely, but my lungs are on fire and my legs feel like jello. At this point I usually hobble back to my car thinking to myself, "Damn, my a$$ is gonna look great..." haha. read more

La Mesa Public Stairs - Hiking Near Me - La Mesa, California

This place is completely hidden. Please be respectful of the people who live right along these stairs (damn, those houses are nice!). These stairs are located in the residential area-- there can be a few other people using the steps to workout, but it's not annoyingly crowded. They have several sets of steps with short walks in between. It goes up to 4 separate blocks within this neighborhood. My sister and I pushed hard to do 4 sets of going up and down. For each set of steps we tried to do jumps, skipping steps, etc. Really got my heart rate going. Felt the pain in my thighs and calves. I got a good sweat and workout out of it. Great suggestion by my cousin and would love to do again. It is kind of quick depending on how you step and how many times you do it. read more