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Enjoy the spectacular views from the balcony and cabin at this mountain location

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Microwave, oven, stovetop, dishwasher
TV, fireplace
Interior
Interior
Exterior

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5125 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Julian, CA
  • Lake Cuyamaca
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • California Wolf Center
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Julian Town Hall
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field)
    ‪73 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Julian

On lake.Within 2 miles (3 km) of this Julian vacation home, you'll find Santa Ysabel Mission and Cuyamaca Mountain State Wilderness. Lake Cuyamaca and Cuyamaca Meadow Nature Preserve are also within 3 miles (5 km).
View more Vacation homes in JulianOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Santa Ysabel Mission - 6 min drive - 2.8 km
  • Lake Cuyamaca - 7 min drive - 3.0 km
  • California Wolf Center - 12 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Julian Town Hall - 17 min drive - 16.1 km
  • William Heise County Park - 28 min drive - 25.1 km

Getting around

  • San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field) - 73 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lake Cuyamaca - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Julian Brewing Company - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Julian Pie Company - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Miner's Diner - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Mom's Pie House - ‬17 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Enjoy the spectacular views from the balcony and cabin at this mountain location

Enjoy the breathtaking, beautiful and captivating unobstructed views of the Cuyamaca lake and the vast open expanse of forests and mountains in the backdrop.

Walk right down to water. Live the dream on Lake Cuyamaca. Best panoramic unobstructed views of lake, mountains and forest. This glorious 1,350 square foot private mountain retreat was flawlessly custom built in 2006. Vaulted wood-beam ceilings. House is maintained in an absolutely great condition, and with the great captivating scenery around, soothes and refreshes the soul, a must visit place.

Kitchen features Granite counter Tops. Master bedroom has walk-in closet. Beautiful free-standing wood burning stove. The optional second bedroom has a built in closet. Wrap around trex decking, ideal for a family outing , will accommodate 6 to 8 people easily.

The historic city of Julian is just a few miles away, enjoy kayaking, motor boating, or relaxing by the lake, or go explore the beautiful surrounding neighborhoods, whatever you do, this offers the best relaxation, refreshingly beautiful away from the city hustle-bustle

Property manager

Matt Y

Languages

English

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 pets total (up to 55 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: This is a totally non-smoking neighborhood

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the mountains
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Boat
  • Kayak
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Mountain climbing nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Property located in a resort
  • Unit size: 1,350 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 55 lbs per pet)
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Please inform if any pets, need some assurances.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: All children allowed, if toddlers, ensure safety

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: This is a serene mountain retreat, please respect.
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. Note from host: This is a serene mountain retreat, please respect. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property

Enjoy the spectacular views from the balcony and cabin at this mountain location Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 47 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Simone C.

Looks can be deceiving

The view was very nice, but that was about the only positive thing I can say about this property. The biggest issue is that the wifi is spotty at best. And there's no cable or cell reception so it's essential. The owner did offer to send his "maid" (his words) the next day to troubleshoot, but the wifi was passably working again by then (and then not at all come night time). Other issues were a very understocked kitchen (no salt, pepper, sheet pans, cheese grater, lighter...) with some "clean" dishes having dust or dead bugs on them, uncomfortable beds with no bedroom doors, and outdated heating system with only high or low settings (no specific temperature). We left a day early to go home.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeff O.

Liked: Cleanliness

Mountain Retreat

Great location and a great property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Robert H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Disappointed

No TV/Internet 1st day. Not able to use Fireplace during stay as attached elect fan was not working and fire would not stay lit when fireplace door was closed. No working coffee maker. No response from Virbo host or Virbo corporate after complaint.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jason P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Cabin

Absolutely beautiful and amazing views.. only request is give better directions and clearly state the address. Ty The Plumley’s
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Christopher W., El Cajon, USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Mountain getaway

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Doug J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing view

The cabin is amazing and the view even more amazing. It was just my wife and myself but the cabin can easily sleep more. We spent time at the lake, there’s a nice area to hangout by the pub. You can drive down, picnic, walk or just relax. There are probably some great hikes nearby but it was a hot weekend so we decided no on the hikes. Speaking of the pub, we had dinner there which was outstanding. We also went into Julian, had some pie at one of the bakeries and had dinner at Roman’s which I highly recommend. We aren’t wine drinkers so we didn’t visit any wineries but we did have some of the local hard cider which is well worth it. Getting back to the cabin, we took our smaller car and easily parked up on Yuma which is right where the cabin is. We took our dogs with us and if you do, I recommend you walk them up on Yuma to relieve themselves. If you take them down in front of the cabin, the cabin is on a hill and the grass/dirt area is on a hillside. In my old age, I didn’t want to go falling down a hill so up on Yuma was a better choice for me. I’m the cook of the family and the kitchen has all the pots, pans and cook wear you need to make a meal. This was a great visit overall and I highly recommend it.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lauren P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Always a dream destination

I have stayed at the property three times, and I absolutely look forward to staying again. It’s perfect for myself and my two kids to cook and relax for a weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

2/10 Terrible

Kylie T.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Unsafe property and negligent owner- would not recommend this place.

I wish VRBO would allow me to share the videos & pictures I have. Throughout our stay, we came across hundreds of ants found on the kitchen counter, stove top, utensil drawer, dining room table and inside the freezer. I only felt safe putting my 6 month old baby down in the living room/upper loft area. We thought we could mitigate the issue with household cleaning products. Later in the evening, we discovered the bottom level of the home (master bedroom) was COVERED in ants including the carpet, under the bed, and the entire bathroom floor. I contacted the owner and asked for a refund so that we could stay at a hotel. He ignored my request and told me he would send his cleaning lady the next day. She used a spray that had a very harsh chemical odor- unsafe for us to inhale. I asked the owner once more for a refund which he ignored. The very LEAST Matt can do is give us a partial refund as we were only able to utilize half of his home and spent a lot of our time cleaning his house. In addition to the insect problem and awful communication with Matt, The sliding door/screen door that leads out to the balcony had note saying “do not open”. Also a note saying “out of order, do not use” on microwave. You are not able to use the fireplace aka stove. Spiderwebs on balcony and stair railing near the front door. Weak internet/phone signal. The view is not worth the agony and discomfort that my family and I experienced. I would NOT RECOMMEND if you have small children/infants.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Richard

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The check-in process was problematic. I received an email after making the reservation stating that "The lock box code will be texted to the guest once a reservation is confirmed." But I never received the code. Also, the owner's phone # was not present in any of the documentation I received. So at 6pm on the day of check-in, I had to call VRBO customer support and wait 25 minutes on hold (bad customer service) to speak with an agent. I wasn't happy about the wasted time on hold, but the agent was able to get me the code and the owner's #, and communication was good after that. The location is impressive and the balcony view is stunning. My kids loved the bunk bed. There were quite a few ants in the kitchen, so we had to be really careful with cooking and storing food. Parking is a challenge but that's part of the price you pay for living on a mountainside. I would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lauren P.

Liked: Cleanliness

This was my second stay here. I love it!

I stayed here once before and had such a great time that I just stayed again. And I’m already thinking about booking again. It’s the perfect size for a family, if you’re looking for a nice, quiet getaway with a beautiful view. We cooked, sat on the deck, and took in the scenery. I will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Patricia S.

Liked: Cleanliness

What a view!!!!

We had a great time visiting Julian, fishing at the lake and going to the wolf reserve. Overall the property was fine but the oven needs cleaning, some problems with ants and trouble parking down below. I would recommend this property because the view is so breathtaking. Thanks
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

BYRON J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful View - Close to Home

We love it
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leah H.

Liked: Cleanliness

The house and view was amazing. Exactly what we were looking for to spend quality time with family.

Instruction from the owner were very clear and simple. It’s important to understand and respect this location and the fire hazards. The cabin was beautiful and what we were looking for, but the view was by far the best part. Parking was a little tricky if you have guests so I would recommend reading the parking instructions carefully, but it’s understandable considering the location. Thank you for a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lauren P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great property

Wonderful view, peaceful neighborhood. Great property for a family with young kids.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lauren P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cute cabin getaway

Matt’s property is beautiful! The cabin looked just like the pictures, and is very spacious. You can tell it has recently been renovated/refurbished. The kitchen is also well stocked with pots, pans, and utensils. The whole place is very clean. And the view! The lake is very pretty and the view is unobstructed. The only *minor* concern of ours is that the driveway was very steep and narrow, so parking was a bit difficult. Other than that, we really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kay O.

Liked: Cleanliness

Very good

Very nice
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

6/10 Okay

Sherida B.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Nice views but cleanliness is to be desired

Property is in a good area with great views, but the parking is tricky. The home was photo clean, but had used tissues in crevices of the bed and linen closet that my kids easily found. Home also had a few dust webs near light fixtures. Front door latch was broken, but luckily they’re is a second door. Property manager/owner has a no shoe policy, but the carpet was dirty and some areas soiled. Smoke detector was beeping. Be sure to get the lockbox code in advance because had to follow up last minute, which was a little nerve racking.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

6/10 Okay

Lois L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Sorry it wasn't better

Ad needs to emphasize the many stairs. Parking is so non-accommodating; had to park on a very lower level with many stairs, some without hand rail. Had to back all the way out the parking space which is not straight. Didn't want to hardly leave the house as it was so inconvenient. Also, water pressure is horrible. Also, having at least one mixing bowl would have been nice. Futon sofa which can not be pulled out, is extremely uncomfortable. The very large patio door definitely needs a drape or pull up blinds on the outside as the reflection and glare is bad. The bed was comfortable. The showers were roomy. The view was great. Having the variety of small appliances is nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin Y.

Liked: Cleanliness

A nice getaway place with great view

Overall it’s a nice place to stay with a great Lake view for the cost. I want to rate a 4.5 if that’s an option. Here are a few things that need to be aware: 1. The host provided instructions are a little bit overwhelming. 2. The upper level shared parking spot was no longer allowed by the neighbor. The lower level steep ramp parking is a challenge to get up and down. The other neighbor blocked the dirt road to turn around from the ramp. Other than that it was a pleasant stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Holly S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Few day getaway

Great rental with a beautiful view.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shira B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice Stay

The house was nice, beautiful view, and just great for my family and I.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Donald M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful view

View of the lake was spectacular. Cabin is very warm and comfy. Here are some minor concerns… Wifi is very slow in the evening/night time for some reason. Pretty much made tv unwatchable as movie streaming just wasn’t possible, along with general internet usage, just very slow for some reason. Seems to work much faster in the morning and early afternoon. Downstairs lighting, it would be helpful to have a second light next to the bed. There is currently one light on one side of the bed. The overhead lighting was too bright for trying to settle in and read before bed. Sleeping arraignments we’re a bit interesting and could be described better. The bunk beds are upstairs on the same level as the kitchen/living room area. I thought this might be the case from the photos but wasn’t really clear. This made for interesting mornings as my wife and I wake much earlier than the teenagers. Just a few thoughts. Overall was a very nice stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gary B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great View.

Matt the landlord was very helpful with everything. Extra nice cabin, 2 bed rooms 2 bathrooms. Very relaxing stay for the four of us. Chairs and small table on the balcony with wonderful views Relaxing is the best here. Near Julian Ca Would stay here again. G and S C and L (Matt is +++++)
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

6/10 Okay

Monika G.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Disappointed

Did we enjoy our stay? It was ok. Loved the little town of Julian, and the deck on the home was the best part to his house. First, I will start with the communication. I put in a question to Matt before booking. He responded quickly, so we booked it. Next - Matt proceeded to send me a total of SIX messages with WAY too much info - and making us feel like he really didn't want guests to stay at his place. Example - I originally told him I was bringing my little dog, to which he replied with: "If you have any pets , you need to let me know, I need assurances that they are trained, and will not be allowed in the beds, on the sofa, dining table other furniture etc., and have their own beds/crates, and any accidents will trigger professional carpet cleaning charges. I have had quite a few incidents and out of courtesy I never charged, but allowing pets is also creating situations for me, but I understand that pets are like family members, so please assure that your pets will be taken care of." ALSO - "I've allowed pets so far but going forward I will have to stop allowing pets because of numerous incidents and right now I'm facing another incident.." Is this necessary? VERY off-putting, too much over-explaining in emails. Example #2: "Appreciate if you don't try to pull the sofa & handle it gently, previous guests have not followed my requests and did not know how to operate it and caused issues." I do not need the backstory of every little issue this person has had to deal with. I'm sorry to hear that people have not taken care of his property, however, I am a great guest and have used vacation rentals for years and would not dream of messing up someone's space. I understand that if you are renting out your property you should expect issues/damages etc. But do not put that on your guests before they arrive. The lockbox code was written several times in one of the messages, however, when we arrived to the home (it's March, so it was cold) I could not find the code anywhere because I had to search through so much information this guy sent me, that my family was cold, tired from traveling & annoyed. Finally - the place was dirty, we had to wash every dish, cup, fork we used BEFORE using them. The kitchen utensils were so cheap. Did not trust the empty brita. Couch is a futon - and so uncomfortable to sit & watch tv. Place felt so dirty and bare bones that we didn't feel comfortable using the showers. Sadly I would not recommend this place.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Richard F., San Diego

Liked: Cleanliness

Location and view is 5 star!

We had a great weekend watching a snowy storm blow through over the lake. Great time to sit in front of the fire, one problem, no fires allowed anymore. Some previous guests had caused embers to land on the carpet. I had steaks to cook but no bbq or broiling pans. Cooker them in a skillet. No salt and pepper for the steaks. Extra blankets would have been nice to cuddle with. Like I said, the location and view is top notch. The acutrements, not so much. Still we enjoyed our stay. If the weather was clear, we would have enjoyed the lovely deck more.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022