Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial
4.5
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- 10OrchardWorcester, United Kingdom584 contributionsMemorial with an amazing view of San DiegoRead about this memorial on line and found it was only 2 miles away! We could not find any signposts to it from central La Jolla, but if you follow Mt Soledad road you will get there. The plaques and their narratives are personal to the individuals which I found very moving. On a clear day, you get an amazing 360 degree view of San Diego. Parking is limited and there are no restrooms (that I could find).Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 29 December 2023
- EdwelshNorth Canton, Ohio7,282 contributionsWhat a place for a monumentWe kept seeing this place from down below. After finally making it up there, we saw that what we were seeing was the monument under wraps for refurbishment. Nonetheless it’s a very moving tribute and it’s a beautiful spot for it. On top of the hill with unobstructed views of the surrounding area. It wasn’t a very clear day but still spectacular.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 May 2024
- LodiWineBobOceanside, California503 contributionsIncredible. What a Tribute and What a ViewBeen here more than eight years and it took a Matt Coyle novel (he writes detective novels featuring La Jolla and San Diego) to get us down to see this tremendously inspirational monument. Each plaque tells a fitting story of the men and women who have served our country. Getting to the monument can be an adventure and up close parking is tough, so be prepared to walk a few hundred yards uphill for viewing, More than worth the walk as the views of San Diego County are spectacular. Great place to reflect and be thankful.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Kewstokie
London, UK86 contributions
Mar 2020
Dignified place of remembrance of those who answered the call of their country. We spent more time there than we intended, absorbed by the individual stories covering all the 20thC conflicts. Photographs of the combatants bring the stories to life.
The location gives outstanding views on a clear day, and adds to the touching tributes. Recommended.
The location gives outstanding views on a clear day, and adds to the touching tributes. Recommended.
Written 20 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FloridaSunDevil
West Palm Beach, FL780 contributions
Jan 2020
During our too short visit to San Diego, our hosts took us to see the memorial. Easy to get to with parking. The memorial honors veterans from the revolutionary war to the present time. It also honors those still living. The wall containing photos of the veteran's including medals and other memorabilia is moving. As an aside, the view from the "mountain" is gorgeous. Definitely worth a short visit to honor the fallen.
Written 26 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
db7477
Carlsbad, CA3 471 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We visited the monument after spending the day in La Jolla Cove. The drive climbs and twists through the residential neighborhood. The views at the top are spectacular in all directions. The cross and memorial are well worth a visit. Families of veterans have submitted some very moving tributes to their loved ones.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie P
Kuwait City, Kuwait51 contributions
Nov 2020
Mt Soledad offers amazing views of San Diego. But on top of that, the monument in itself is very impressive and it's so poignant to see the history of all these men and women that are recognized on the monument. You feel very serene up there.
Written 1 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AEM7AC
North Bellmore, NY239 contributions
Jan 2020
It's a beautiful well kept and solemn site, but don't expect views of downtown. The views of the area are wonderful, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here unless I was passing by, especially since the drive up is on relatively steep roads.
Now, if your family member is honoured here, this was a beautiful way of cementing their legacy and remembering their sacrifice to our country, and you definitely should visit.
Now, if your family member is honoured here, this was a beautiful way of cementing their legacy and remembering their sacrifice to our country, and you definitely should visit.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BruinDan
Fullerton, CA3 316 contributions
Sept 2021
The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial is considered one of the most unique veterans’ memorials in the United States, as it is the only such memorial to honor veterans (living and deceased) from the Revolutionary War to the current global War on Terror. My wife and I had the pleasure of visiting this memorial during the latter part of September 2021.
There are a number of walls that are covered with thousands of black granite plaques that each include a picture of the veteran with a brief summary of their military experience. Honorees include Presidents, twelve Medal of Honor recipients, celebrities, and veterans from all service branches, from generals to privates.
It is a relatively short drive from La Jolla Village to the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. The views at the memorial are amazing (Mt. Soledad is the highest point in La Jolla), but of greater significance is the memorial itself. Thanks to the friendly and informative docent, we learned some of the interesting, inspiring and touching stories behind some the honoree plaques there. It was a truly moving experience.
We saw a number of people drive up, take quick photos of the cross and the view, and then leave -- by doing that they definitely missed out. We left feeling truly humbled and so grateful to those veterans who have courageously served our country.
There are a number of walls that are covered with thousands of black granite plaques that each include a picture of the veteran with a brief summary of their military experience. Honorees include Presidents, twelve Medal of Honor recipients, celebrities, and veterans from all service branches, from generals to privates.
It is a relatively short drive from La Jolla Village to the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. The views at the memorial are amazing (Mt. Soledad is the highest point in La Jolla), but of greater significance is the memorial itself. Thanks to the friendly and informative docent, we learned some of the interesting, inspiring and touching stories behind some the honoree plaques there. It was a truly moving experience.
We saw a number of people drive up, take quick photos of the cross and the view, and then leave -- by doing that they definitely missed out. We left feeling truly humbled and so grateful to those veterans who have courageously served our country.
Written 12 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
10Orchard
Worcester, UK584 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Read about this memorial on line and found it was only 2 miles away! We could not find any signposts to it from central La Jolla, but if you follow Mt Soledad road you will get there. The plaques and their narratives are personal to the individuals which I found very moving. On a clear day, you get an amazing 360 degree view of San Diego. Parking is limited and there are no restrooms (that I could find).
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JSL
Pocomoke City, MD11 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
I didn't even know that Mt. Soledad existed until the bus driver explained where he was taking our tour group. But even he could not explain just how gorgeous the cross is and the view of the valley below. The wall is amazing with the pictures and information of persons who served in our Armed Forces. Just the idea of saving that piece of land, the cross and what it means is astonishing to me. When you visit Mt. Soledad, be sure to read up on it first. I believe you will appreciate the site so much more. We loved the peacefulness also.
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LodiWineBob
Oceanside, CA503 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Been here more than eight years and it took a Matt Coyle novel (he writes detective novels featuring La Jolla and San Diego) to get us down to see this tremendously inspirational monument. Each plaque tells a fitting story of the men and women who have served our country.
Getting to the monument can be an adventure and up close parking is tough, so be prepared to walk a few hundred yards uphill for viewing, More than worth the walk as the views of San Diego County are spectacular. Great place to reflect and be thankful.
Getting to the monument can be an adventure and up close parking is tough, so be prepared to walk a few hundred yards uphill for viewing, More than worth the walk as the views of San Diego County are spectacular. Great place to reflect and be thankful.
Written 24 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DennisMoe
Borkum, Germany13 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Always my first visit when I'm in San Diego. From there you have a unique panoramic view of the city and can also learn a little about the military history.
Parking is limited, you might have to take a few laps to find one. ATTENTION: The most beautiful photos are certainly taken off the beaten track, on the "cliffs", but we discovered a rattlesnake in the bushes during our visit. Therefore, I would advise not to go too far into the thicket or bushes.
Parking is limited, you might have to take a few laps to find one. ATTENTION: The most beautiful photos are certainly taken off the beaten track, on the "cliffs", but we discovered a rattlesnake in the bushes during our visit. Therefore, I would advise not to go too far into the thicket or bushes.
Automatically translated
Written 3 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cars aren’t permitted from 10pm to 7am. Where do I park to watch a sunrise from Mt. Soledad?
Written 17 October 2021
When I was there in early September, I drove up around 6am, and all spots right by the Memorial were already taken. There is a large parking lot a couple of hundred yards downhill, which was perfectly workable. I did not see any signs pointing to time constraints.
Written 23 October 2021
I suggest driving up the road to Torrey Pines for a nice hike thats very close by. Look for the Gliderport! Or park near the Torrey Pines state park.
Written 20 June 2019
We are doing this on our last day of vacation before our flight home. About how long does it take to walk around/see all of the monument/memorials?
Written 13 January 2018
Imagine I'm too late answering your question but maybe it will help someone else later on. There are literally thousands of veteran name plaques to look at. As far as walking distance however, it is a large circle with smaller circles as you assend to the top of the monument where the huge cross is. I doesn't require a lot of walking but if you intend on reading every single name--- you'll be there for a while.
Written 3 February 2018
Holiday Inn Express & Suites in the La Jolla beach area is less than a mile from Mt. Soledad is probably one of the cheapest and it includes Free Parking, Free Breakfast, Free Internet. Good Luck
Written 14 March 2017
It sounds beautiful. I have a disability which limits me in walking long distances. What is your general view if this is handicap accessible?
Written 7 November 2016
The slope up is pretty gentle and yes, it is accessible from all 360 degrees, however there are stairs to get to the foot of the cross itself. You wont be disappointed tho, its breathtaking
Written 23 November 2016
Is the trail well signed? What is the elevation gain and time to reach the memorial at the top?
Written 1 November 2015
The cross can be seen from many miles away--- then when you drive up the winding, paved road to it, it is amazing.
Written 9 August 2018
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