Tiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country

By Paul Levikow

Photos by Miriam Raftery and Paul Levikow

April 10, 2026 (Santa Ysabel/Wynola) – Visitors travelling to Julian north from Ramona can oftentimes overlook two equally charming communities along the way. Some might even think Santa Ysabel, population around 600, and Wynola with about 200 residents, are actually part of Julian. They are not. Each town has its own unique and enchanting vibe with distinctive views of the Cleveland National Forest and Cuyamaca Mountains.

Perhaps Santa Ysabel, which is about seven miles from Julian, and Wynola, a mere three miles away along state Routes 78 and 79, could be considered suburbs of Julian and its approximately 1,700 residents. All three communities are about an hour drive from San Diego proper by heading east along Interstate 8, then north on state Route 67. That’s the path that takes travelers through Santa Ysabel and Wynola. There are lots of things to see and do in those communities that might make visitors forget they were on the way to Julian, known for its pies, apple picking, Gold Rush history, shopping, and mountain getaway accommodations.

So, let’s get going.

East County News Service

March 19, 2026 (Julian) -- In another month, the sun will be coming out for youths in the San Diego County's backcountry mountains.

In April, the newly formed Julian Junior Theater will take to the stage for its inaugural production, bringing the beloved classic Annie (but in the Annie Jr. version) to the local community. Tickets are $10, and there will only be four performances.

As a California nonprofit, Julian Junior Theater was established with a clear mission: to foster self-confidence, self-expression and a lifelong love for the performing arts.

By providing enriching education and dynamic performance opportunities, JJT is a vital creative hub for young residents in the rural Julian region.

East County News Service

December 31, 2025 (Julian) – An online fundraiser at GoFundMe has been set up to help Oscar Cruz Acencio, a U.S. Marine, and his family. On November 30, the family was traveling on San Felipe Road near Julian when a Tacoma truck crossed the center line and hit their vehicle head-on, killing their 8-year-old daughter, Arya.  Acencio, his wife, and their two other children, ages 4 and 5, were all hospitalized with serious injuries.

East County News Service

November 27, 2025 (Julian)— U.S. Border Patrol agents from the San Diego sector have apprehended a felon who escaped from a Cal Fire work camp in Julian early on Nov. 24. The escapee, Joseph Lee Randall, was serving time for crimes including corporal injury, petty theft, vehicle theft, and grand theft.

Using the Border Patrol’s specialized tracking methods, agents located Randall at 5 p.m. near Camp Cuyamaca in Descanso. They apprehended him and returned him to CDCR custody. He will face administrative and criminal review following his return to state custody.

East County News Service

November 17, 2025 (Julian) – Make a holiday treat such as a pumpkin spiced meatball, then watch as wolves at the California Wolf Center in Julian savor their pre-Thanksgiving feasts.

East County News Service

October 14, 2025 (Julian) – A Jamul man, 49 died at the scene of a collision in Julian on October 12. He was driving a Yamaha R6 motorcycle that crossed a double yellow line, colliding head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado towing a travel trailer.

By Heidi Hope

October 1, 2025 (Julian) - For anyone interested in exploring the historic aspect of weaving on a loom, or buying hand-woven products, you won’t want to miss Julian Weaving Works in Santa Ysabel. Julian Weaving Works is a weaving academy and store created and run by Beryl Warnes. She has been in this weaving business for 30 years. 

East County News Service

September 4, 2025 (Julian) -- The East County Performing Arts Association invites you to experience the heart, humor, and resilience of Southern women in Steel Magnolias. The play will be performed in the Julian Town Hall the weekends of Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26.  Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Set in a small-town beauty salon, this beloved theater production blends laughter and tears as six unforgettable women navigate life’s joys and sorrows together. With sharp wit and deep emotion, Steel Magnolias is a touching tribute to friendship, strength, and love. Join us for an evening of unforgettable storytelling and heartfelt performances. 

May 30, 2025 (Julian) -- The Julian Town Square Music Festival brings music to the mountains on June 7 from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Presented by the Julian Community Heritage Foundation and Julian Chamber of Commerce, this event will feature multiple musical performances. 

These include Kimmi Bitter and Westside Twang, Tim Flannery and the Lunatic Fring, Thea The Band, The Ordeal, Donn Bree and Friends,  Dolly’s Revenge, and Subconscious Culture.

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – A major storm system will bring strong winds and rain across our region, with heavy snow forecast starting tonight in East County mountains.  Mount Laguna could receive up to a foot of snow, with up to eight inches on Palomar Mountain and three inches in Julian by Friday morning. Heavy snow will make it difficult to travel above 4,000 feet in elevation.

In urban areas, flooding is possible.  El Cajon, La Mesa, and other areas are expected to receive up to an inch and a half of rain, the National Weather Service predicts.

Along the coast, a small craft advisory is in effect through Friday morning due to expected high surf and high seas.

East County News Service

March 2, 2025 (Julian) - Julian Farm and Orchard invites you to Daffodil Days, held each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from March 7 through April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

East County News Service

Update Feb. 4, 2025 -- Supervisor Joel Anderson has launched a petition to oppose Snavely's placement in Julian. You can sign his petition here.

February 1, 2025 (Julian, CA) – San Diego County Superior Court has ordered the conditional release of Gary Snavely, a sexually violent predator (SVP) at 3452 Wynola Road in Julian.  The public can submit comments from Feb. 3 through Feb. 16; hearing set for March 7.

Snavely was convicted of molesting two girls ages 8 and 9 in Orange County back in 1987. In 1996 he was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in San Diego County and went back to prison.  After his release, he was placed in Jacumba in 2008 but after he abused his psychotropic medication and lied to his supervising staff he went back to Coalinga state hospital, though he was not accused of committing new crimes. Violations included failing to remain appropriately clothed at all times on his property while in public view, and failing to report any and all instances of sexual thoughts and fantasies involving sexual deviance to treatment staff.

East County News Service

July 7, 2024 (Julian)—Banner Ranch invites you to try your luck at panning for gold just as prospectors did in the 1870s at Banner Creek.  On July 12., you can rent a gold panning kit for four hours (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to  6 p.m.) and a glass tube container to take home any findings.

Banner City was founded in 1870 when Louis Redman tripped over gold quartz in a canyon 1500 feet below Julian.  He marked his gold find with an American flag, hence the town became known as Banner. Some claim the yield that year from Banner’s mines surpassed those of Julian’s gold prospecting.  Even today, there are over 150 placer claims in the area.

By Jonathan Goetz

June 17, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – In celebration of Independence Day on July 4, there are many Fourth of July festivities in San Diego's East County to choose from including the Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Fest, El Cajon’s fireworks and family fun activities, a family picnic and fireworks in Ramona, Santee Salutes with carnival games, music and fireworks, parades in Julian, Deerhorn Valley and Crest, Poway’s old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration complete with vintage train rides and more.

Here's the lineup of fun-filled, family-friendly July 4th activities here in East County.