If you think Southern California is nothing but sandy beaches and palm trees, then you’re in for a real surprise. We have mountains! Lots and lots of gorgeous mountains. Whether you love to climb mountains or just admire them from afar, SoCal does not disappoint. Here’s a small sample of some of the stunning mountains you will find here in Southern California. They are beauties!
- Mt. Baldy - San Gabriel Mountains
flickr/US Dept of Agriculture Most people call it Mt. Baldy, but some people call it Mount San Antonio. Either way, it is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains and most popular place to hike. San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Mt Baldy, CA 91759, USA
- Mt. San Gorgonio - San Bernardino Mountains
Wikimedia Commons Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, this beauty is the highest peak in all of Southern California. San Gorgonio Mountain, California 92305, USA
- Mt. San Jacinto - San Jacinto Mountains
Wikimedia Commons Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for an adventurous way to reach the trails of this epic peak in the SoCal mountains. Mount San Jacinto, California, USA
- Strawberry Peak - San Gabriel Mountains
flickr/Scrubhiker USC dyer Located in the San Gabriel Mountains, Strawberry Peak can be viewed from Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley on a clear day. San Gabriel Mountains, California 91759, USA
- Mt. San Bernardino - San Bernardino Mountains
flickr/Don Graham As seen from Redlands with San Gorgonio Peak in the background. San Bernardino, CA, USA
- Mt. Baden-Powell - San Gabriel Mountains
flickr/Don Davis Mount Baden-Powell is part of the San Gabriel Mountain range. It may not be one of the highest peaks in this mountain range, but it’s definitely one of the most popular places to hike. Mount Baden-Powell, Mt Baden-Powell, California 91702, USA
- Sugarloaf Mountain - San Bernardino Mountains
Wikimedia Commons Another beautiful spot in the San Bernardino Mountains. Even in the springtime you might find a sprinkling of snow on Sugarloaf. Sugarloaf, CA 92386, USA
- Mt. Wilson - San Gabriel Mountains
Yelp/Jim A. Possibly one of the most popular mountains in Southern California. Towering high above Pasadena, Mt. Wilson is easily identified by the cluster of antennas at the peak of the mountain. San Gabriel Mountains, California 91759, USA
- Cucamonga Peak - San Gabriel Mountains
Wikimedia Commons Cucamonga Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains watches over Inland Empire, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Ontario. It’s also got some of the best views in Southern California. Cucamonga Peak, California, USA
Wow! Even if you’re not up for a mountain climbing adventure, you can still enjoy these gorgeous mountains in Southern California by taking a leisurely drive and experiencing them from the car window. Trust us, you’ll want to snap some pictures!
flickr/US Dept of Agriculture
Most people call it Mt. Baldy, but some people call it Mount San Antonio. Either way, it is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains and most popular place to hike.
San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Mt Baldy, CA 91759, USA
Wikimedia Commons
Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, this beauty is the highest peak in all of Southern California.
San Gorgonio Mountain, California 92305, USA
Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for an adventurous way to reach the trails of this epic peak in the SoCal mountains.
Mount San Jacinto, California, USA
flickr/Scrubhiker USC dyer
Located in the San Gabriel Mountains, Strawberry Peak can be viewed from Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley on a clear day.
San Gabriel Mountains, California 91759, USA
flickr/Don Graham
As seen from Redlands with San Gorgonio Peak in the background.
San Bernardino, CA, USA
flickr/Don Davis
Mount Baden-Powell is part of the San Gabriel Mountain range. It may not be one of the highest peaks in this mountain range, but it’s definitely one of the most popular places to hike.
Mount Baden-Powell, Mt Baden-Powell, California 91702, USA
Another beautiful spot in the San Bernardino Mountains. Even in the springtime you might find a sprinkling of snow on Sugarloaf.
Sugarloaf, CA 92386, USA
Yelp/Jim A.
Possibly one of the most popular mountains in Southern California. Towering high above Pasadena, Mt. Wilson is easily identified by the cluster of antennas at the peak of the mountain.
Cucamonga Peak in the San Gabriel Mountains watches over Inland Empire, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Ontario. It’s also got some of the best views in Southern California.
Cucamonga Peak, California, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
SoCal Mountains September 30, 2022 Tori Jane What mountains are in SoCal? To say that California is a mountainous place is kind of an understatement. There happen to be many mountains in SoCal, and they’re all positively magical if you ask us. With so many mountains in Southern California to choose from, how do you know where to begin? Well, why not begin with a few of our all-time favorites, like the jaw-dropping Santa Ana Mountains? The Santa Anas consists of 41 named peaks and feature some of the most beautiful places in Southern California. Others include the San Bernardino Mountains, the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Susana Mountains, and MANY more. What are some of the best mountains in SoCal for camping? Just about every mountain in SoCal you can find will be excellent for camping, hiking, and all the outdoorsy activities your heart could ever desire. Mt. Baldy is the highest peak in the San Gabriels, and it’s one of the most popular places to go hiking in SoCal. If you want, you can camp on the mountain as well, making a whole backpacking trip out of it! The Santa Monicas are one of the most-visited mountain ranges on the west coast, and as a result, they’re one of the most popular (and understandably most beloved) places to go camping in SoCal. Count us in! What are some of the best mountain towns in SoCal? When it comes to mountain towns in Southern California, there are some you just cannot pass up if you get the chance to check them out. Among our favorite SoCal mountain towns are gems like Big Bear Lake, which is one of the most beautiful places in California, we think. Or you could head out to the Santa Ynez Mountains and check out the tiny Danish town known as Solvang. We also love towns like Mount Laguna, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, and Julian.
The OIYS Visitor Center
SoCal Mountains
September 30, 2022
Tori Jane
What mountains are in SoCal? To say that California is a mountainous place is kind of an understatement. There happen to be many mountains in SoCal, and they’re all positively magical if you ask us. With so many mountains in Southern California to choose from, how do you know where to begin? Well, why not begin with a few of our all-time favorites, like the jaw-dropping Santa Ana Mountains? The Santa Anas consists of 41 named peaks and feature some of the most beautiful places in Southern California. Others include the San Bernardino Mountains, the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Susana Mountains, and MANY more. What are some of the best mountains in SoCal for camping? Just about every mountain in SoCal you can find will be excellent for camping, hiking, and all the outdoorsy activities your heart could ever desire. Mt. Baldy is the highest peak in the San Gabriels, and it’s one of the most popular places to go hiking in SoCal. If you want, you can camp on the mountain as well, making a whole backpacking trip out of it! The Santa Monicas are one of the most-visited mountain ranges on the west coast, and as a result, they’re one of the most popular (and understandably most beloved) places to go camping in SoCal. Count us in! What are some of the best mountain towns in SoCal? When it comes to mountain towns in Southern California, there are some you just cannot pass up if you get the chance to check them out. Among our favorite SoCal mountain towns are gems like Big Bear Lake, which is one of the most beautiful places in California, we think. Or you could head out to the Santa Ynez Mountains and check out the tiny Danish town known as Solvang. We also love towns like Mount Laguna, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, and Julian.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
To say that California is a mountainous place is kind of an understatement. There happen to be many mountains in SoCal, and they’re all positively magical if you ask us. With so many mountains in Southern California to choose from, how do you know where to begin? Well, why not begin with a few of our all-time favorites, like the jaw-dropping Santa Ana Mountains? The Santa Anas consists of 41 named peaks and feature some of the most beautiful places in Southern California. Others include the San Bernardino Mountains, the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Susana Mountains, and MANY more.
What are some of the best mountains in SoCal for camping?
Just about every mountain in SoCal you can find will be excellent for camping, hiking, and all the outdoorsy activities your heart could ever desire. Mt. Baldy is the highest peak in the San Gabriels, and it’s one of the most popular places to go hiking in SoCal. If you want, you can camp on the mountain as well, making a whole backpacking trip out of it! The Santa Monicas are one of the most-visited mountain ranges on the west coast, and as a result, they’re one of the most popular (and understandably most beloved) places to go camping in SoCal. Count us in!
What are some of the best mountain towns in SoCal?
When it comes to mountain towns in Southern California, there are some you just cannot pass up if you get the chance to check them out. Among our favorite SoCal mountain towns are gems like Big Bear Lake, which is one of the most beautiful places in California, we think. Or you could head out to the Santa Ynez Mountains and check out the tiny Danish town known as Solvang. We also love towns like Mount Laguna, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, and Julian.
