Pyles Peak, Mission Trails Regional Park

Pyles Peak in Mission Trails Regional Park is part of the 5-Peak Challenge and requires you to first hike to Cowles Mountain, walk over as if you're going to the hill with the antennas on it to a not obvious from the top of Cowles path (it does have a sign).  Then up to Pyles Peak, then down, the back up Cowles Mountain, then down to the parking lot.

Since you have to park in the Cowles lot, parking is a pain, with a small lot (drive to 7027 Golfcrest Dr, San Diego, CA 92119) that fills up before 7AM on weekends. The parking lot has restrooms.

The trail is nice and well marked once you start on it. Also probably like 2% of the Cowles crowd continues to Pyles, so it is much less stressful. The views of the San Diego skyline and Pacific Ocean in the distance are very similar to those at the top of Cowles.