[1][2] It is located approximately 35 km (22 mi) south of the Tecate border crossing,[5] and sits at the southwest end of the Valle de Las Palmas.

[7] Situated at the southwestern end of the Valle de Las Palmas, but to the southeast of the Abelardo L. Rodríguez Dam, the Cerro Bola formation and its surroundings contains some of the highest points of Tijuana Municipality, reaching up to 1,260 m (4,130 ft) in elevation.

These mountains all hold some of the largest remaining areas of intact Diegan coastal sage scrub, mafic chaparral, and gabbroic and metavolcanic soils that support numerous endemic plant species.

[5] Large groves of Cupressus forbesii are present in the foothills and mesas in the southern part of the mountain range,[13] with some occasional stands of Pinus attenuata among them.

[9] Growing in arroyos and canyons draining down from the mountain, it is also the only natural population of fan palm found on the western side of the Peninsular Ranges divide.