Palomar Observatory

Location: Palomar Mountain (78 Miles / 1 Hour and 45 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Generally open 9AM – 4PM (Closed on December 24th and 25th)

Cost: None

Features: Home to One of the World’s Most Powerful Telescopes; Took Clearest Pictures Ever of Outer Space in 2007; Images Used in Google Sky; One of America’s Finest Scientific Achievements.

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Lake Cuyamaca – Mountain Lake

Location: Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (9 Miles South of Julian and 53 Miles / 1 Hour Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 6AM – Sunset

Cost: $6 Minimum for each Car. (See Fee information below.)

Features: 4,600 Feet Above Sea Level; Surrounded by a National Forest; Fishing; Boating; Bird Watching; Hiking Trail; Tent & RV Camp Sites

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Palomar Mountain State Park

Location: Palomar Moutain (77 Miles / 1 Hour and 45 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Dawn till Dusk

Cost: $6 per Vehicle; $15+ for Camp Sites

Features: Pine Tree Forest with Hiking Trails, Trout Fishing, and Camping.

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Cleveland National Forest

Location: Cleveland National Forest (1 Hour Drive from the Coastal Areas of San Diego)

 

Cost: Most Visitors Will Need An Adventure Pass – $5 per Day or $30 per Year.

Features: Mountains, Meadows, Views of Ocean and Desert; Scenic Drives; Eagles; Falcons; Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding; Campground & RV Sites

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Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

Location: Cuyamaca Rancho State Park (14 Miles South of Julian and 48 Miles / 55 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Dawn to Dusk

Cost: $6 per Vehicle; $15+ for Camp Sites

Features: Mountains, Meadows, and Woodlands Ranging from 4,000 – 6,512 Feet Above Sea Level; Mountain Top Vistas; Trails for Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding; Campground & RV Sites

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Julian Train & Gold Mine Tour

Location: Julian (62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: Reservation Only – Groups of 4 or More Required

Cost: $15

Features: Take a 1 Mile Train Ride and Explore a Gold Mine

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Menghini Winery

Location: Julian (64 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 10AM – 4PM (5PM on Weekends)

Cost: $5 for Wine Tasting

Features: Wine Tasting near the Historic Town of Julian

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California Wolf Center

Location: Julian (57 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: 10AM and 2PM Shows on Saturdays by Reservation Only

Cost: $10 ($6 for Kids)

Features: Visit with a Denali Wolfpack; Learn about North American Gray Wolves.

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William Heise County Park

Location: Julian (57 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Dawn – Dusk

Cost: $3

Features: Good Place for a Hike with Mountain and Desert Views

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Mountain Horseback Riding in Julian

Location: Julian (62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Time: Reservations Can Be Made for Weekdays and Weekends.

Cost: Starts at $50 per Hour.

Features: Ride Horses in San Diego’s Mountains; Enjoy Mountain Views, Peaceful Meadows, Wildlife, and if you are lucky, Catch a Glimpse of the Ocean on a Clear Day.

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Pan for Gold at the Julian Mining Company

Location: Wynola (On the outskirts of Julian – 62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: 10AM – 4PM on Saturdays and 12PM – 4PM on Sundays. Weekday Reservations also Available.

Cost: Starts at $10

Features: Pan for Gold and Gems as Seen on the Travel Channel; Pick Raspberries and Pumpkins

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Eagle & High Peak Gold Mine and Museum

Location: Julian (62 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Weekends: 10AM – 5PM (longer during holiday season)

Cost: $10 ($5 for Kids 5-12; $1 for Kids under 5) – Includes Mine Tour and Panning for Gold

Features: Gold Mine Attracted People from across the Country in the 1870s; Learn the History and Pan for Gold.

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