93 Mountain Peaks to Explore in California

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California

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Mountain Peaks to Explore in California

Aguereberry Point

Aguereberry Point is a 6,300 foot peak, similar to Dantes View on the far side, 20 miles away in a direct line but 77 miles by road. Because of its westerly setting, this place is one of the best locations to photograph the valley in afternoon and around sunset. The promontory is actually 1,000 feet higher than the more famous Dante’s View vista point and provides a stunning 360 degree view of Death Valley.

Anderson Peak

Anderson Peak is a mountain on the Mount San Gorgonio crestline in Southern California's San Gorgonio Wilderness, which is part of the San Bernardino National Forest. It is 3.2 miles from Jepson Peak. Although not above the tree line, snow tends to cover the crest from the northern hemisphere early winter until late spring.

Bald Rock Dome

Bald Rock is a granite batholith located in Butte County, California, in the Plumas National Forest. it was formed from a large body of melted rocks deep in the earth's crust. The Bald Rock Pluton is two miles wide, and was formed approximately 140 million years ago. The dome rises nearly 2,000 feet above the Middle Fork Feather River and Bald Rock Canyon to an elevation of 3,509 feet above sea level. Bald Rock Dome is similar to Half Dome, in Yosemite.

Baldy Bowl

Baldy Bowl is a fluvial cirque, in the San Gabriel Mountains of the U.S. state of California, that forms much of the upper south face of Mount San Antonio. It is one of the most visited backcountry locales in the San Gabriels, and is popular with skiers, hikers, and climbers. It has a base elevation of around 8,200 ft.

Banner Peak

This is the most picturesque peak in the Sierra Nevada. It is the second highest peak in the Ritter Range. The mountain is 12,942 feet tall, and there are several glaciers on its slopes. It lies within the boundaries of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Banner Peak is most photogenic from the northeast: it seems to be floating on the vast 2-mile wide waters of Thousand Island Lake, while bulky Mount Ritter is hidden from view

Bear Creek Spire

Bear Creek Spire is an amazing high peak on the Sierra Crest, located at the head of the Rock Creek drainage. It is striking from all sides and has two classic routes that every Sierra mountaineer should experience, all the way to the top of an exciting summit block. It is the 46th highest mountain in California and the 225th highest mountain in the United States. The first ascent of Bear Creek Spire was a solo climb by Hermann Ulrichs in 1923 up its west face.

Bernal Heights Park

Bernal Hill provides visitors with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama and clear views of San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, San Bruno Mountain, and the hills of the East Bay. At its highest elevation is a privately-owned equipment building and 50-foot tall telecommunications tower. The tower does not have an official name, but some residents call it "Sutrito", as it resembles a shorter version of Sutro Tower​​​​​​​.

Black Mountain

This is a mountain in the Diablo Range of eastern Santa Clara County, east of Poverty Ridge and Arroyo Hondo, and about 10 miles from Milpitas.The peak is one of the highest in area. The northern half of Black Mountain is an oak woodlands while the southern half is barren. Black Mountain can be clearly seen from most parts of the Santa Clara Valley including Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View and San Jose. The peak is visible from the Mount Hamilton and Monument Peak.

Boney Peak

A majestic peak of the sandstone Boney Mountain formation, in Circle X Ranch Park of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. you can have views of the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, and Mount Baldy. Plus Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura city, Newbury park and some parts of Simi Valley.

Boulder Peak

Boulder Peak is Boulder's highest and least traveled summit at 8,549 feet. The summit is rocky and requires some scrambling, but the views at the top are well worth it. This peak is accessed by connecting the Mesa Trail with Shadow Canyon that places you at the saddle between South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak. It offers a demanding 3.7-mile hike situated above the South Mesa in the famous Flatirons region near Boulder Colorado.

Box Springs Mountain

This is the highest peak in the Box Springs Mountains range, standing 3,083 ft. Most of the mountain is part of the Box Springs Mountain Reserve, a 1,155-acre park. Because the mountain is one of the more prominent features in the Inland Empire, the summit is used for numerous telecommunication towers, including transmission towers for the KOLA 99.9 and KGGI 99.1 radio stations.

Brushy Peak

Brushy Peak, also known as Brushy Knob or Las Cuevas, is a summit in Alameda County, California that overlooks the Livermore Valley. North of the valley, it is part of the Diablo Range. It rises to an elevation of 1,686 feet and is the location of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve; there are guided tours to the peak itself. Historically, the peak and its immediate surroundings were used for some outdoor events, like picnics

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

The Carson–Iceberg Wilderness is a federal wilderness area located 80 miles northeast of Stockton, California. It encompasses 160,000 acres and was designated by the California Wilderness Act of 1984. It protects an area of High Sierra landscape with elevations from 4,800 feet to 11,462 feet along the Sierra Mountains from Ebbetts Pass to Sonora Pass in the south. The wilderness supports large herds of mule deer and there is also good habitat for black bear

Cloudripper

Cloudripper is a 13,525-foot-elevation mountain summit located two miles east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Inyo County of northern California. It is approximately 14 miles west of the community of Big Pine, 1.1 miles north-northeast of Picture Puzzle, and 2.1 miles south of parent Mount Agassiz. Cloudripper ranks as the 58th highest summit in California, and the highest point of the Inconsolable Range.

Corona Heights Park

Corona Heights Park is a craggy outcropping located along Roosevelt Way. It has some of the best views in San Francisco, but don’t overlook the wonderful wildflower display that carpets the grasslands each spring.The steps leading up to the peak are not supported by handrails. The peak of the hill is windy, but it offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the city of San Francisco from downtown to the Twin Peaks.

Cowles Mountain

Cowles Mountain is located in Mission Trails Regional Park in the north part of San Diego and is easily one of the most popular trails in the city. The 1,593-foot summit is the highest point of the city of San Diego. The entire mountain, with marked trails, is a protected area within Mission Trails Regional Park.

Cucamonga Peak

This is one of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains. It is within the Cucamonga Wilderness of the San Bernardino National Forest. Trekking and adventure lovers can explore this place very well. This is one of the coolest summits in this area.

Davidson, Mount

Mount Davidson in San Francisco is the highest peak in the city. It reaches 928 feet above sea level and offers a great hiking experience. The hill is well known for its 103-foot concrete cross on the top of it. Each year on Easter, you will find a sunrise service in front of the cross. They also have an annual event on April 24 to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. It is the site of a yearly prayer service, performed on Easter.

Deadwood Peak

Deadwood Peak lies in the center of Mokelumne Wilderness across Summit City Creek from Round Top. It is also situated on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Deadwood Peak is set on the crest of the Cascade Range, immediately north of Yakima Peak and Chinook Pass, with the Pacific Crest Trail traversing its east slope.

Disaster Peak

Disaster Peak a grey colored, and at first sight, unimpressive looking pile of rocks located in the Carson - Iceberg Wilderness. There are several taller and more impressive looking peaks in the area. The climbers trail is faint and easy to lose, so one often needs to rely on cross country travel. The summit “block” is composed of piled rock and boulders, some a bit loose.

Map of Mountain Peaks to explore in California