Bernardo Mountain Hike (Rancho Bernardo, San Diego) – Peak #3
Bernardo Mountain is a scenic on-trail hike near Lake Hodges in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego. The route follows established trails to a broad summit with views over the lake, surrounding hills, and inland North County. It served as Peak #3 in my San Diego 100 Peaks Challenge.
Bernardo Mountain
Elevation: 1,150′
Miles: 7.2
Trailhead
Agency: San Diego River Valley Conservancy
Dates Hiked: 07/08/2009, 01/01/2017, 03/15/2018, 10/25/2018, 11/17/2018, 05/01/2019, 01/01/2025
Peakbagger.com page
For those interested, here is a list of my gear that I have found works well for me. This is, of course, an affiliate link and your enjoyment of these may vary:
07/08/2009
I got a late start this morning, which meant I baked on the trail. I saw a red-tailed hawk, heard a rattlesnake, sat in the shade by a gurgling stream, and had an incredible view of Lake Hodges. I started on the east side of the 15 freeway by the Sikes Adobe and headed under the freeway to the lake.
Bernardo Mountain from the pedestrian bridge in 2015
Update:
This is another local North County San Diego peak that I’ve visited many times with family and for training hikes. It’s a great trail with a great view. I feel like I’ve been there more than 7 times, but perhaps not. It’s a wonderful trail.
It is still fairly popular, but most people remain along the lakeside. It is nowhere near as busy as Iron Mountain.
Throughout the years, this lake has risen and fallen with heavy rains or the lack thereof. I now typically park south of the bridge at the trailhead and cross the pedestrian bridge, which didn’t exist when I first starting hiking this peak.
Currently (2026), the dam has been deemed in need of repair, so the lake is being kept lower than historical volume, to reduce pressure on the dam. This will be the case until, if ever, they find the time and funding to repair the dam.
This is a very exposed hike in a warm part of the county. That, and it's length, requires an early start in the summer with plenty of water.
One of my favorite parts is to sit by Felicita Creek on a bench.
I typically approach Bernardo Mountain from the Piedras Pintadas Trailhead these days and hike north over the scenic pedestrian bridge.
Felicita Creek
Soph on top of Bernardo Mountain in 2017
Bernardo Mountain Trail Map (Click to enlarge)
