San Ysidro Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Ysidro Mountains |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,087 m (3,566 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| District | San Diego County |
| Range coordinates | 32°35′48.212″N 116°49′24.075″W / 32.59672556°N 116.82335417°W |
| Parent range | Peninsular Ranges |
| Topo map | USGS Otay Mountain |
| Biome | California chaparral and woodlands |
The San Ysidro Mountains are a mountain range located in southern San Diego County, California. This mountain range also stretches a little bit into Baja California, which is in Mexico. The San Ysidro Mountains are part of a larger group of mountains called the Peninsular Ranges.
The tallest point in these mountains is Otay Mountain. It stands at about 3,566 ft (1,087 m) high. Most of the San Ysidro Mountains are protected as part of the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area. This means the land is kept wild and natural.
Plants of the San Ysidro Mountains
The San Ysidro Mountains are home to many different types of plants. On the western sides, you can find plants that are part of the coastal sage scrub community. These plants are used to living near the coast. Further inland, the plants are more like those found in mountain forests and woodlands.
The Rare Tecate Cypress
One very special tree found here is the Tecate Cypress (Cupressus forbesii). This tree is quite rare and only grows in a few places. It used to be very common in the higher parts of the San Ysidro Mountains and in its deep valleys.
Wildfires in 2003 and 2007 burned away many of the living plants in the San Ysidro Mountains. However, the Tecate Cypress actually needs fire to help its seeds grow! After the fires, there has been some new growth of these special trees. This shows how some plants are adapted to their environment.
