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    La Mesa Public Stairs

    4.7 (72 reviews)

    La Mesa Public Stairs Photos

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    Tracie M.

    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.

    Gillian A.

    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.

    Come on people clean up after yourself!
    Vincent C.

    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.

    Grace C.

    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.

    I do love the caution sign at the bottom of 20 flights of steps!
    Amanda G.

    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.

    The stairs on a cloudy day! :)
    Kieuthy V.

    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!

    Great views
    Kerri T.

    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.

    Picture of the stairs near Fairview and Alta
    Christina T.

    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.

    First set of stairs - off of Windsor
    Joselyn S.

    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.

    The beginning of the climb
    Sagar P.

    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

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    11 months ago

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

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    3 years ago

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

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - La Mesa Public Stairs

    Review Highlights - La Mesa Public Stairs

    Windsor Drive: In it, you climb a total of 245 steps, interrupted by two cross streets, to reach the top of Summit Drive.

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    Pyle's Peak

    Pyle's Peak

    4.2(40 reviews)
    3.2 miSan Carlos

    At 1,369 ft, Pyles Peak is located near Cowles Mountain…read more There are a couple of ways to get to this hike, but I went through Cowles. I believe the other way is going to less trafficked route, the Barker Trail. At Cowles summit, if you follow the path near the antenna, it will lead you to Pyles Peak--a quieter 1.5+ mile out-and-back hike from Cowles summit. To get to Cowles summit you can either take the scenic route, which is a 1.5 mile hike to the summit or the service road, which is a 1 mile hike. There is a parking lot you can park in or street parking. There's restrooms at the entrance near the scenic side. There is not much shade so be aware of that. This hike is kept very clean. I just find it to be a little more on the boring side. This was the last hike I did for the five peak challenge! That could have influenced my feelings towards this hike.

    Instead of following the traditional route of hiking up the front (south) side of Cowles Mountain,…read moreI started my trek from the end of the Mesa Service Road on the east side of Mission Trials Regional Park. The Mesa Trail actually had more shade to protect you from the heat and sunlight than if you started from the main trail head at the corner of Golfcrest Drive and Navajo Road. The tough part began when you ascended west on the Cowles Service Road towards the summit of Cowles Mountain. It was nearly a mile stretch in which the incline became rather steep in a couple of spots. As soon as you pass the top of Cowles Mountain, you keep going west for a few hundred more yards before you see a sign that directs you to a trail towards Pyles Peak. From that point, it was another 1.5 miles of decline and incline before you reached the summit of Pyles Peak. About halfway into this part of the trek, there was a view point (i.e. Pyles View Peak) where you could branch off back east for maybe a 1/4 mile until the path ended in a cul de sac. At that location, you get a wonderful view looking back towards the top of Cowles Mountain. It's a nice rest stop and photo opportunity. There was about 3/4 mile left to hike before reaching Pyles Peak. A sign posted 1/4 mile from the summit warned hikers that this was a difficult climb. I actually didn't find it any worse than the ascent up the Cowles Service Road. The sign at the Pyles Peak summit indicated you were 1379 feet above sea level. After taking several pictures and eating some snacks, I started my journey back to where my vehicle was. In total, this hike took approximately 3.5 hours with breaks to cover about 6.5 miles.

    Photos
    Pyle's Peak
    Pyle's Peak
    Pyle's Peak

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    Lake Murray - Always gorgeous

    Lake Murray

    4.4(334 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    Lake Murray is so beautiful and I enjoy coming here! I've been here a few times to walk the trail…read moreand also sit by the lake and read on a nice sunny morning. The birds can be a bit annoying, but guess that comes with the great outdoors. Definitely a nice spot to chill, take a walk and get those steps in. This area feels safe and well maintained. When I went, there weren't too many people, so it was pretty peaceful. The trail can get busy and there are bathrooms along the way (I didn't use them though) There's plenty of parking here, but just be sure you leave on time for closing. I've heard they lock up and it can be an issue with getting out. (not sure how true this is but I won't chance it) There is more parking elsewhere with trail access too, I just personally haven't found it.

    Lake Murray Service road walking trail is one of my go-to workouts--about 5.5 miles to the locked…read moregate and back. After entering the main entrance, follow the road and turn right where you will see a yellow locked gate. This is the beginning of the paved walking trail. There's plenty of parking at the main entrance, and the paved trail is perfect for walkers, runners, bikers, and even kids tagging along. It's basically a choose-your-own-adventure: bird watching, fishing (permit required), or just a casual picnic. Bonus perks: lots of porta potties and benches when you need a breather. If you're holding out for a real restroom, there's one just past the second baseball field--plan accordingly. Photo is attached to show where to locate this. Heads up: the main gate is closed every 2nd Tuesday of the month, but don't panic--you can still access the trail through the neighborhood entrance off Baltimore Drive. Hope you enjoy this walking trail as much as I do.

    Photos
    Lake Murray - Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!

    Bench for a picnic. Be careful it maybe too hot out!

    Lake Murray - Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.

    Read signs and be careful when wondering off the paved road.

    Lake Murray

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    Mission Trails Regional Park - Desert sage is blooming and the world smells wonderful at Mission trails right now

    Mission Trails Regional Park

    4.6(428 reviews)
    4.4 mi

    Having access to hiking and mountain biking so close to the major urban center of San Diego is a…read morehuge benefit to everybody who lives here that enjoys the outdoors. Right now through March is the best time of year to visit in my opinion. Everything is beautiful and green and the flowers are starting to come out. I just hiked there this past weekend and it was spectacular. Over the course of the years when we have had super blooms, the mountainside on South Fortuna gets covered with poppies. We only saw a couple puppies here this past weekend but super exciting! With a little bit of rain in the near future forecast, the wildflowers are going to explode. So many different choices of trails to hike, but the south Fortuna Mountain is definitely my favorite. There's a kick ass section of over 200 stairs that goes straight up the hillside. That's the hillside where the poppies come out and it's one hell of a workout. It does get incredibly hot out here in the summer months. I would proceed with caution, if choosing outdoor activities here at those times. Tons of water, early morning or late evening start time for activities and adequate sun protection are a must. There is very little shade on these trails. I would also recommend always going with a buddy, just in case there's an emergency, and using the AllTrails app so you don't get lost.

    I've been wanting to go to Mission Trails for the longest and finally had the opportunity to go…read morerecently. It was a typical beautiful day...I thought why not enjoy it at Mission Trails Regional Park. It was easy to get to and plenty of available parking...choice of lot or street. That's greaaat parking is not an issue whatsoever! Our goal was to see the dam. We had a pleasant walk...basking in the sun...listening to nature...reading park info displayed and signage. Along the way, we realize there were pipeline work being done for what appears to be for waste. We weren't sure for how long this work was going on. When we almost arrived at our destination, we were disappointed to find out the road to the dam was closed due to construction. I wish this sign was at the start of the trail. We could've taken another trail instead. It's all good though. We enjoyed looking at the open areas with rugged hills and valleys while taking in the nature surrounding us. Overall, it was a good outdoor experience. We'll be back :-)

    Photos
    Mission Trails Regional Park - Found a babbling brook

    Found a babbling brook

    Mission Trails Regional Park - Kumeyaay Lake Trail

    Kumeyaay Lake Trail

    Mission Trails Regional Park

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    Enjoy the Mountain San Diego

    Enjoy the Mountain San Diego

    4.3(10 reviews)
    29.3 mi

    We had a great time with Emil on a 1 hr ride through rain and snow flurries. The ride was safe,…read morewell paced and super fun. I would recommend wearing some waterproof pants/jacket if you are going during such weather. This is my new favorite activity! Can't wait to do it again.

    I booked this adventure for 2 reasons: (1) to FINALLY get out of the house during this pandemic…read moreespecially since all we have been doing is working and we have been working more than ever since our job is considered 'essential', and (2) celebrate my boyfriends 30th birthday. This was my first time on a quad/ATV and my boyfriend has been riding dirt bikes since he was like 6yrs old. I love being outdoors & going on new adventures, and he loves riding ... so the mixture of those things i came upon this place. For birthdays I love and prefer creating memories instead of giving materialistic gifts. Example: For his 28th birthday I booked us a little personal speed boat in San Diego. Upon arrival check-in was easy, quick, and they gave us hand sanitizer so we felt assured. They had helmets and other PPE lined up and available for us to use, however we had brought our own (riding gloves, riding jerseys, riding DOT certified helmets, and googles) which they allow. Our guide Jorge was funny and very easy going. The ride overall was really fun!! During our ride our guide also took pictures of us and he took some awesome ones with amazing backdrops! The only complaint I have was that I only booked us the 1 hour ride. Next time we are doing the 2 hour ride for sure! And maybe the Big Bear location as well.

    Photos
    Enjoy the Mountain San Diego
    Enjoy the Mountain San Diego - Through the rocks

    Through the rocks

    Enjoy the Mountain San Diego - Let's take a break

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    Let's take a break

    La Mesa Public Stairs - hiking - Updated May 2026

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