The mountains run in a northwest/southeast alignment for approximately 35 miles (56 km).

The mountains are largely contained within Cleveland National Forest.

The Laguna Mountains extend northwest about 35 mi (56 km) from the Mexican border at the Sierra de Juárez range.

The Laguna Mountains are a popular recreation area in Cleveland National Forest.

[3] Their relatively high altitude induces the highest snowfall in San Diego County making it one of the few local places to offer snow activities like sledding and snowshoeing.