Double Peak, Mountain summit in San Marcos, California

Double Peak is a mountain summit near San Marcos, California, rising through varied terrain with several footpaths ascending toward the top. The routes connect different viewpoints along the way that open up toward the surrounding landscape.

Double Peak lies south of San Marcos, in San Diego County. Its summit reaches 1,646 ft (502 m), roughly 1,000 ft above the mountain's north foot. Trails reach the top from Discovery Lake Park on the north, from Double Peak Drive in San Elijo Hills on the south, and by a steep rock-and-shale route on the east face. A City of San Marcos sign at Discovery Lake Park gives the north trail as 2.5 mi to the summit.

The name comes from the twin bumps seen along the ridgeline. On clear days the summit telescope frames Mexico, downtown San Diego, San Clemente and Catalina islands, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Santa Ana and San Bernardino mountains. Hikers and bikers share the wide, partly paved north and south routes.

Multiple entry points and parking areas near Discovery Lake allow visitors to access the trail system and begin their ascent. It helps to check trail conditions locally before heading out, as terrain and accessibility can vary by season.

A telescope sits at the summit allowing visitors to observe distant landscapes across San Diego County in detail. This feature adds an observational dimension to what might otherwise be an ordinary hike with views.