|
 For those of us who can't stand Lake Arrowhead or
Big Bear, this is just about the closest place to go for
January snow. It's a little town with too many B &
B's -- but has many redeeming features. Julian is also
famous for its orchards and resulting apple pies.
Julian was established in 1869
during the gold rush.
| PROPERTY |
PINE HILLS LODGE |
| ADDRESS |
2960 LA POSADA
WAY
P.O. BOX 2260 --
JULIAN, CA 92036 |
| TELEPHONE |
760.765.1100 |
| WEB |
www.pinehillslodge.com |
Other places to stay might include the Wikiup Bed &
Breakfast, featuring on-premises llamas.
The Pine Hills Lodge was built in
1912 and was first intended to introduce prospective land
buyers to the area. At one point, the lodge was used as
a training camp for the boxer Jack Dempsey.
WHEN TO GO AND HOW TO GET
THERE:
- Julian is located on California Highway 78, east of I-15
and north of San Diego.
- Take Pine Hills Road (right turn off Highway 78 if
coming from the west -- there's a sign -- then
right on Blue Jay Road).
- The winters can be wonderfully dreary -- rainy or
snowing.
Hanna writes from Pine Hills Lodge: "Hello, I just read your info. on Pine Hills
Lodge and I wanted to know if I could update it a bit...
There are just a few changes. If so, here they
are: We have 10 cabin rooms and 6 lodge rooms. We
have a wonderful Sunday Brunch from 9 am to 2:30 pm. We
do not do dinner theater anymore but we do special dinner
shows several times a year (one night only - usually) along
with Holiday Dinners. Thank you!"
| PINE HILLS LODGE AND DINNER
THEATER |
- 7 CABINS,
MOST WITH FIREPLACES
- NON-SMOKING
- LODGE ROOMS
- OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL
- DINNER THEATER ON WEEKENDS
- THE PINE HILLS PLAYERS
PRESENT MUSICALS AND COMEDIES
- BBQ DINNER SERVED AT 7PM
- PERFORMANCE BEGINNING AT
8PM
- BAR & RESTAURANT SEPARATE
FROM THE DINNER THEATER (We haven't tried the
restaurant yet, but will. The bar is excellent
-- especially on Friday nights when the locals
perform
kareoke.)
|
The rooms are small; "Pinecone 2" would be our
suggestion for 2 people, as the accommodation consists of a
small bedroom and a sitting room with fireplace. No real
view or sense of seclusion, however.
| MUDHOLE-RATING |
|
 |
QUIRKINESS |
 |
ACCOMMODATIONS |
 |
GOOD AREA FOOD |
 |
DIVERSIONS |
 |
COST |
Wild turkeys abound on the
property.
| ATTRACTIONS
|
- LEELIN
LLAMA TREKS (800-LAMA PAK, www.llamatreks.com)
- MENGHINI WINERY
(760.765.2072) AT 1150 JULIAN ORCHARDS DRIVE (2 MILES
NORTH OF JULIAN ON FARMERS ROAD) www.theblendmagazine.com/menghini
- JULIAN PIE COMPANY (2225 MAIN
STREET AND IN SANTA YSABEL ON HIGHWAY 79)
760.765.2449 OR 760.765.2400
- BAD BETTY'S ON MAIN STREET
(www.badbettys.com)
- JULIAN WOLF PRESERVE
(760.765.0030) FOUR MILES SOUTH OF JULIAN ON HIGHWAY
79
- OBSERVER'S INN (USE OF LARGE
RESEARCH-GRADE TELESCOPES AT $20.00/HOUR)
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED (760.765.0088) ON HIGHWAY
79
- HEISE COUNTY PARK FOR HIKING;
VERY CLOSE TO PINE HILLS LODGE (www.sdparks.org)
- SAILPLANE RIDES AT WARNER
SPRINGS; 760.782.0404 (www.skysailing.com)
|
There
are many pleasant mountain drives from Julian -- especially
Borrego Springs to the east, Mt. Laguna to the southeast and
the Jacumba area further south.
| RESTAURANT
RECOMMENDATIONS |
- RONGBRANCH RESTAURANT (WITH
BOARS HEAD SALOON IN THE BACK) AT 2722 WASHINGTON
STREET (760.765.2265)
- LUNCH AT THE JULIAN GRILLE
(760.765.0173) AT 2224 MAIN STREET
- DINNER AT ROMANO'S DODGE
HOUSE RESTAURANT (760.765.1003) AT 2718 "B"
STREET
|
 We last visited this property in February
2003. This location was visited several times earlier,
with documentation verifying
2001.
| 
