Backcountry hidden pleasures: our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry and inland areas

By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2018 (Mount Laguna) – At 6,000 feet in elevation, Mount Laguna is the highest peak in San Diego’s East County.  From meadows filled with spring wildflowers to summer picnics, colorful fall foliage and winter snowfall, it’s a place to find beauty in all seasons in the heart of Cleveland National Forest.

If you go, consider a stay at the historic Laguna Mountain Lodge or the Blue Jay Lodge, both along Sunrise Highway about a 60 to 90 minute drive from downtown San Diego, depending on the season.

June 21, 2018 (Julian) -- These scarlet-hued Climbing Penstemon wildflowers, also known as Heart-leaf Keckiella, are in bloom this week at William Heise County Park in Julian. 

ECM editor Miriam Raftery shot this photo of the native plant species, is a favorite of hummingbirds, sitll in bloom at higher elevations in our region.

East County News Service

June 20, 2018 (Julian) — The Julian Arts Guild Art Gallery invites you to meet backcountry artists at an open reception on Friday, June 22^nd from 5 to 7 p.m.  The gallery is located in the KO Corral at 2608 B Street, Julian.

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2018 (Dulzura) – The pioneer-era Clark Ranch, home of the Dulzura Winery  in Dulzura, California dates back to 1885 and has remained in the Clark family to this day. Once known for its groves of olives and production of pickled figs, the land today is planted in vineyards and the former pickling house has been converted to a wine-tasting room, with a cozy guest cottage upstairs.

It’s an idyllic retreat for a peaceful stay in the country, miles away from city hustle and bustle, along historic Route 94. The name Dulzura means “sweet” in Spanish and may originally have referred to honey grown in the region.  Pioneering in Dulzura, a book written by Dorothy Clark Schmid, offered this picturesque description: “A rugged but sweet land, relaxed as its sun-based hills and deliberate as a prospector’s burro.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Screenshot, Fox 5, of a resident's video; right below: Cal Fire photo of helicopter dropping water on the blaze

June 14, 2018 (Ramona)—The  Hope Fire caused minor damage to one residence and charred 35 acres in Ramona today 

East County News Service

June 14, 2018 (Ramona) – Ramona Sheriff’s deputies responded to multiple silent robbery alarms at Chase Bank, located at 1467 Main Street in Ramona, on Tuesday, June 12^th shortly before 4 p.m.

A witness told deputies that a man threatened that he had a gun. No one was injured in the robbery, but the suspect fled before deputies arrived.

Source: Ilan Lael Foundation

Cover photo credit:  Michael Gerdes and Chris Henry

May 16, 2018 (Wynola) -- The Ilan-Lael Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Wynola, will host its annual Father’s Day Open House and Studio Tour on Sunday, June 17^th.

Just three miles west of Julian, this picturesque spot with views of the Volcan and Cuyamaca Mountains is home to renowned artist James Hubbell.  Between the late 1950’s – 1960’s, using natural local materials, James designed and constructed a handful of artistic buildings that became his family’s home, now a designated historic landmark.

By Miriam Raftery

San Diego’s Ramona Valley has emerged as a nationally recognized wine region that also has a historic downtown district and beautiful natural settings including many parks, preserves and trails to explore. You’ll also find seasonal activities such as a musical festival, country fair, grape stomp, camel dairy festivals and holiday celebrations.

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego's beautiful backcountry.

Photo, left: Courtesy: Ayres Lodge Alpine

Photo, right, by Jonathan Goetz

Story and most photos by: Jonathan Ronald Goetz

June 10, 2018 (Alpine) – The Ayres Lodge Alpine is a friendly, well-maintained hotel with old West feel and modern appeal It’s located just off Interstate 8 at Tavern Road in Alpine, gateway to the Cuyamaca Mountains, Cleveland National Forest, local lakes and other backcountry adventure areas. Alpine is in San Diego's East County, within 30 to 45 minutes from downtown and coastal areas.

By Annie Greenberg

June 7, 2018 (Alpine) -- Linda Cioffi is on a mission: to help find a cure for Alzheimer's in her lifetime.  Her annual fundraiser, Quest for the Cure, is this Friday, June 8, from 4 p.m. to8 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center Grand Ballroom. The community is invited to attend and enjoy opportunity drawings and a silent auction. The grand prize for the opportunity drawing will be a luxury staycation at a beach or bayfront home in San Diego with area theme park tickets. Other items include a Barona Casino package with spa and golf, and a Palm Springs getaway.

East County News Service

June 5, 2018 (Alpine) – Summer concerts at the Alpine Community Center Park return on select Friday nights starting at 6 p.m.  The park is located at 1830 Alpine Blvd. behind the library.

Presented by the Alpine Community Center and Alpine Library, the concerts provide live music for all ages.  Bring a picnic dinner or you can buy food from local vendors.

The summer concerts schedule is:

By Miriam Raftery

June 1, 2018 (Ramona) – Cal Fire’s incident commander in Ramona reports an aircraft down at the Ramona airport.

An initial report indicated one patient had minor injuries, but the patient was released after evaluation at the scene.

No information on cause of the crash has yet been released.

A photo provided by Cal Fire, credited to Kevin Pack, shows the letters and numbers N9410M on the tail.  The 1970 fixed-wing Cessna is listed at FlightAware as registered to Steven F. Davenport of Peralta, New Mexico.

Source: Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

June 1, 2018 (Alpine) -- Alpine will celebrate its wonderful honey history at the 2^nd Annual Queen Bee Brunch on Saturday, June 23.  Complete with a fashion show, exclusive vendors and mimosas, the brunch is presented by the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce and the Alpine Community Center.

By Ken Stone

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo: Jeremi Roesler, incoming Julian fire chief, spoke recently in Poway. Image via City of Poway

May 30, 2018 (Julian) - Update at 9 a.m. May 30, 2018: Unpaid Julian fire Battalion Chief Mike Van Bibber says he was placed on administrative leave Tuesday morning by outgoing Fire Chief Rick Marinelli, and fire Capt. Dave Southcott was escorted off fire station property by a sheriff’s deputy Wednesday morning, leaving a volunteer crew without supervision. “This is their trying to decimate us from the top down,” said Van Bibber said. More details to come.

Jeremi Roesler takes over as Julian fire chief Friday, succeeding five-year Chief Rick Marinelli and inheriting a firestorm.

A battalion chief with Cal Fire’s Hemet-area Battalion 5, Roesler will be dealing with lawsuits, complaints of Brown Act violations, expected protests at the Julian fire station on state Route 79 and an angry citizenry that has petitioned twice to keep its last-in-the-county volunteer force.

Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

Who knew Alpine had a castle?

May 29, 2019 (Alpine) -- Guests were treated like royalty May 23 at the Alpine Castle! The first of the “It’s After 5 Somewhere” mixers by the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce was delightfully medieval with all the modern amenities at the palatial home in the Alpine foothills.