I'll Have a Double!

Hiking to Double Peak and Double Peak Brewery

Hike to Double Peak in San Diego County

Double the peaks, double the fun—and a reward awaits when you are done. San Marcos is home to a vast array of hikes and breweries. Get the best view and best brew of “San Parkos” on a 4.5-mile (round-trip) out-and-back summit trek to Double Peak Park, which looms above North County, followed by a tasting flight at Double Peak Brewery.

Park at Lakeview Park and head past the gates along a trail hugging the water. This is Discovery Lake—a serene setting for waterfowl, anglers, and a loop trail for those who want to stay grounded. Prepare yourself—the path to the peak immediately ascends and does not relent until the top. After a quarter-mile, the trail crosses a neighborhood street and continues its upward trajectory above suburbia and adjacent hills. Helpful signs direct you through the trail junctions.

The panoramic views are constant and magnificent throughout, while benches provide rest points and water breaks—necessary if the day is warm, as the trail provides zero shade. Near the 2-mile mark, the path parallels another street. Here you can take a very steep use trail or continue along the road to the top. At the summit are picnic tables, an amphitheater, and the park caretaker’s residence. Head to the true summit for incredible 360-degree vistas. Sit and gaze from a bench or peek through a telescope—a map etched on the concrete IDs the landmarks. On clear days, you can see Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean to the west (find Catalina Island!), the San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains to the north, Vulcan Mountains to the east, and even Coronado to the south. Take a gander at Discovery Lake below before you head back down the way you came.

Double Peak Brewery

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Screaming Good Garden

    Combine a classic scary movie backdrop and life-size elephant garden sculptures in beautiful downtown Sonoma.

    View
  3. A Hike to the Past

    This 5.2-mile redwoods hike through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space combines a relaxing stroll with unique geologic formations and historical artifacts.

    View
  4. Golden Mile

    Dubbed the Golden Mile, this car-free stretch of road in Golden Gate Park features rotating art installations of murals, sculptures, and abundant bright yellow Adirondack chairs for kicking back to relax. See Naga, the recent new addition here, an impressive sea serpent art installation at Golden Gate Park's Rainbow

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Chase Fall Colors & Family Fun in Reno Tahoe

    Ready to Reno? We’re so with you! Reno Tahoe is the ultimate urban basecamp for gathering family and friends for all kinds of fall fun and festivities.

    View
  2. Welcome to the Ice Age

    Only in LA can you stumble upon a lake of bubbling black goo right in the middle of the city—complete with a life-size family of mammoths frozen in time. Take a whiff and you’ll catch the unmistakable scent of asphalt: Yep, you’ve made it to the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum.

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Mulholland's Most Majestic

    Take a leisurely drive along Mulholland Drive to discover beautiful urban scenery and unexpected wild beauty, right in the middle of the city. 

    View