Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Southern California → San Diego Area → East County → Mission Gorge

Location: Santee area, northeast of San Diego

Distance: 1 mile (distance of the full climber’s loop trail); two different access points available. Additional 0.5 miles each way added if you parked outside the gate and have to walk down Father Junipero Serra Trail.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 370 feet

Time Required: 2-6 hours

Red Tape/Notes: If you want to start climbing before 8am, you’ll have to park outside the gate and hike in, making for a longer approach but allowing you “early access” to climbing areas that are often taking by classes. For more information on available climbs, check out the Mountain Project page.

What’s Nearby?: Miramar Air Show

The is the place to go if you want to go get in a few quick climbs and still have most of the day to do other things. Mission Gorge is easy to get to, being located only a few minutes off major freeways/highways, and has a quick approach (you can reach climbs within 10 minutes of parking your car if you snag a good spot and climb the first areas you come across). It has a ridiculous number of climbs to choose from (over 200 including leads, top ropes, and boulder problems), ranging from nice beginner climbs in the 5.6 – 5.8 range all the way to 5.12s. Some of the more popular routes and areas get crowded and you’ll often have to wait if you have your heart set on one of the area’s classics, but if you’re not picky you can almost always find a nice out of the way spot where you can spend a few hours working some project routes without anyone bothering you.

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Southern California → San Diego Area → East County → Mission Gorge