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    Desert View Tower

    4.5 (92 reviews)

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    You need to come see these amazing shaped animals that were carved out 1923 Don't forget to check out the gift shop. They got some amazing coral.

    Stone Tower and Boulder Park.
    Courtney J.

    If there ever was a stop that you should do off route 8 heading to or from San Diego, the desert Tower is that stop! This is not regularly frequented it seems, but it is such a treasure! A story behind it is so interesting, the tower gift shop is a treasure Trove of truly unique items. The current proprietors family has owned it for about 30 years. The area is really neat with lots of neat little gazebos and animals on the property. The Boulder Park, and the animals carved into the boulders are truly One of a kind, so unique, and definitely a whimsical experience for any road trip.

    William C.

    An hour east of San Diego on Hwy 8 lies this one-of-a-kind museum with a lookout tower and boulder artwork. The stone house has a history as unique as the builder and its occupants over the years. The lookout tower is a tricky climb up a narrow staircase....part of its charm and the adventure. The caves are more like bouldering. Fun place to climb and make your own adventure. You'll encounter hidden animal artwork in the rocks around every nook and corner. Take a bottle of water when it's hot out, but in case you forget, the owner has cold drinks for sale inside amongst geodes and other crafts and artwork. Have fun and enjoy the adventure. Worth the stop if you find yourself in the area, but not worth a special trip to the desert. Takes about 30 minutes to see it all but 60 minutes to immerse yourself.

    Blanca C.

    I love this place especially when you go up tower. The wind is so powerful and always feels so refreshing.

    Katie C.

    After randomly scrolling through some websites we found this unique looking place. The drive from San Diego to Jacumba is a beautiful one and the place itself was awesome. The owner is very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. We toured the Desert View Tower for 7.50$ a person and enjoyed the Boulder area as well. The tower itself is full of history, a little store, and a binocular lookout at the top. You receive quarters when you buy your ticket, to use at the top. There are bathrooms on site! The boulders are in a cute space that you can hike around and explore. My four year old had a blast roaming around! Definitely worth the adventure.

    Front of the tower
    Jane L.

    Had a fun trip with the family here. The kids had so much fun climbing and exploring around the boulders and caves. We came on a Friday, no other families around, just a small group of campers. The tower is a neat and interesting place to explore. You park at the side of the tower and go in to pay for entrance into the Boulder caves. The tower is a neat place to explore and has some cool artifacts. No need to bring your backpack and supplies because you're pretty close to the car. It was difficult to squeeze into some parts of the cave with a backpack on.

    Mike J.

    Loved climbing exploring bolder park. Friendly staff and just beautiful view. Long drive out there but enjoyed the experience

    Sam W.

    I stopped by this Desert Tower on my way to Phoenix from SD. I believe this location is part of SD as well. This tower is interesting. It is made out of small boulders alone the I8. I would mistaken this to be a light house if this was near the ocean. Inside, there's a circular near 360 degree window view of the outside. Inside is a small give soft with all kinds of wonderful stuff if you want to bring back a little souvenir. On the outside, there's a boulder park you can walk up to. it's like a little mini caves and tunnels you can go through, but be careful with your steps. There's also a opening with some picnic tables. it's great to just take a breather from the long drive, visit the tower and the boulder park, have some picnic before continuing the long journey. Oh, by the way, the people there are just friendly. Oh, one more thing. there's a donation box outside by the boulder park. Be sure to contribute a few greens for the great people that is keeping the place nice and clean. It cost money to flush your radiator water. you know.

    J David H.

    The first crossings of the area now known as Ko Pah Park was in wheeled vehicles circa 1856. In a journey by Lt. E.B. Williston from San Diego, briefly through México, then up through Jacumba and on to Yuma. A historical plaque marks the site of the Mountain Springs Station, where a stone house was once used from 1862-1870 as a store from which ox teams pulled wagons up a 30% grade. Beginning in 1915, the Old Plank Road provided additional assistance for making the crossing in the first motorcars. Constructed in the Environmental Folk Art style by Burt Vaughn between 1922 and 1928, the Desert View Tower was originally dedicated to the pioneers, highwaymen, and railroad builders who opened up the area. It is an unique three level 70-foot tall rock tower that provides an expansive view of the bouldered mountains of East San Diego County into the flat reaches of the Imperial County desert from a lofty 3,000 feet above sea level. The trek across the desert and mountains from Yuma to San Diego used to take a month or more by car, and Vaughn's tower was a welcome respite from the heat and isolation. You could even refill your radiator (the sign still remains by the shop) The top deck affords a vantage of I-8 winding down to the arid valley floor. Each window was labeled to identify landmarks shimmering in the distance. It's not visible from the Tower, but south through the mountains is the border with Mexico; and for safety reasons. Signs all along this section of I-8 warn drivers not to stop. In 1963, Interstate Highway 8 was completed, which bypassed the park and many of the surrounding towns. You can see some original sections of the Old Highway 80, the first road to Yuma, from the tower's lookout and the road to the tower itself is Old Highway 80. You actually drive across a 1932 bridge complete with original white wooden guardrails right before the Desert View Tower parking lot. I was greeted at the door by one of the local pack working dogs, who gave a quick sniff over before peering out the door, then going back to working hard by lounging (keeping one sleepy eye cracked to watch the place) while we adventured through. Inside are accumulated historic pictures, objects, folk art and of course the quirky construction of the tower itself. Since 1980, the Desert View Tower and adjacent Boulder Park have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's worth a stop if in the area, but not worth going out of your way in my opinion. Also keep in mind how remote the location is. I could not get an internet connection for a check-in. 3.5 rounding up.

    Desert View Tower (closer)
    Gloria L.

    The Desert View Tower is off Interstate 8 near Ocotillo, California. The tower is at an elevation of 3,000 feet in the In-Ko-Pah Mountains which gives it an amazing view of the nearby mountains and valley below. I've seen the tower from I-8 when driving back and forth to San Diego. The base of the Desert Tower is a gift store/museum filled with such unique and interesting objects that it is worth a visit alone-which is what we did because we felt it was too chilly to go up into the tower. So this review will just cover the gift store/ museum and I will update when we come back when it's warmer. But even from the patio and parking lot the views are amazing so going up in the tower will only enhance that view. I hope they tell you more about the view on the tour. There are so many things in the gift store/museum that I can't even begin to describe them but my photos show examples of them. The curator (not sure if official or not) tells a fascinating story of the tower and area. There are a few player pianos that seemed to be pumped to work. I definitely recommend stopping for a tour of the Desert Tower and the gift shop/museum. I can't wait to go back in the spring to see the tower.

    Nicole C.

    This was a super fun little day trip for the family. We've been looking for things to do to get some fresh air and exercise and this is exactly what we needed! A hidden gem if you like weird local history or road side fun! We paid to go to the top of the tower and enjoy the view. There were tons of things to see inside and a ton of stuff for sale. There were dogs, cats, peacocks and chickens roaming the property - they were all so friendly. We went to boulder park after and got lost in all the best ways. My kiddo had a blast. We found our way up the hill afterwards to find the "hot springs" There was a bathroom on site and the guys running the place were very knowledgeable. Bring snacks and good shoes!

    Snake in Boulder Park
    Roz E.

    So you're driving back from Arizona and need a break from driving? Well, get off in Jacumba and check out the Desert View Tower. For a small fee, you get to go up the tower and see the views from there. Once inside, you can browse around and check out all the souvenir and gift items. After you've checked everything out and checked out the views atop, you can climb some rocks in Boulder Park adjacent to it! You will see some painted boulders, some are animals and some are, well, let's say, non-animals. Just be sure you have the proper shoes since you will be climbing up, down, and through the boulders. You could spend at least an hour or so here. Then, you can be on your way to your next adventure...or home!

    Worth a stop if you like cute, quaint and quirky antique style stores. A dog lovers paradise as you will be greeted by at least 5 or 6 very sweet dogs. Yes, the entrance drive is mildly sketchy but keep going! It's a gemstone in the rough.

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    3 years ago

    Amazing views and great vibes , Time Capsule , wisdom of the rocks/boulders transmitted in silence,

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    6 years ago

    What is not to like about this place? Amazing.

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    One of a kind unique place in Southern California. Beautiful. Very nice proprietor. Must check it out!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Desert View Tower

    Wondering if the tower and/or guest house have reliable wifi and/or cell phone service?

    Yep. Go the Desert Tower wi-fi when you get here.

    Is there a bathroom here?

    Yes. Behind the blue radiator water sign to the left of the main tower.

    Does anyone one know what times it is open?

    All day, every day. Except when I don't feel like it. But daylight hours about cover it.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Desert View Tower

    ark. Just a note - Boulder Park might require some type of athletic shoes if you wanna do a lot of boulder hopp

    Mentioned in 10 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Jess Martin County Park - Go pumba go

    Jess Martin County Park

    4.0(4 reviews)
    40.7 mi

    My family and I drove up to Julian for a day trip but we knew we needed to let the kids get their…read moreenergy out and we stopped here to explore the playground. The playground equipment seemed newer and the kids loved it. What I loved was that it is completely fenced so I didn't have to be on top of my toddlers and they could explore a bit more on their own. We had a ton of fun climbing up everything and sliding down and using the swings. No one else was there for the majority of the time we were. One other family came for a short period of time and it seemed they were killing time before a photoshoot. Outside of the playground there is some picnicking areas and some sports areas as well. It seems like there can be a good use of space to do many different activities. There is a bathroom there however it is like a camping bathroom with a sink on the outside and nothing more than an outhouse on the inside. I opted to skip it and wait until we got to Julian to use a more modern bathroom. Overall, it was a great stop on the way to Julian for the kids and we will likely stop there again on future trips.

    Yes, there actually is a playground! First of all it has…read morewood (pine?) chips and not sand and the play structures are all fairly new and in excellent condition! There is a swing set suitable for babies and a regular one for older kids and two other structures to climb up with a total of six slides.

    Photos
    Jess Martin County Park - Pumba chasing papa bear

    Pumba chasing papa bear

    Jess Martin County Park - He fast af boy

    He fast af boy

    Jess Martin County Park

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    Volcan Mountain Preserve - Mountain Lion tracks

    Volcan Mountain Preserve

    4.6(87 reviews)
    42.4 mi

    We tackled Volcan Mountain Trail with an eight-year-old, so we didn't make it the full way but it…read morewas such a nice experience. We also brought along our dog as it is a dog friendly trail as long as your dog is on a leash. The trail starts out pretty steep, but it's well-marked with clear paths throughout. One thing I really loved was all the signage explaining local plant life and animal tracks so it made the hike feel educational and engaging. My kiddo was really into looking at the different animal paw prints. This trail is great for hiking enthusiasts and beginners alike but just know your limits and pace yourself if you're newer to hiking. I would definitely say if it's sunny to make sure you bring plenty of water with you, but there are a lot of shady spots on this trail so that is a nice change from the hikes that are closer to coastal San Diego.

    It's a good hike to pair with a trip to Julian. My husband and I picked up sandwiches in town for a…read morepicnic on the trail. Parked next to the road and knew we were in the right place because of all the other cars. We made our hike a loop as we went up the mountain, taking the 5 Oaks Trail, and then came down using the Vulcan Mountain preserve trail. The 5 Oaks Trail has more of a view. There are a few seats to stop, sit (catch your breath) and enjoy the view. Sadly, we haven't had rain so it wasn't as green as I'm sure it would be on a normal January. Nevertheless, a great hike to work off all the apple pie you eat in Julian.

    Photos
    Volcan Mountain Preserve - Sign at the trailhead

    Sign at the trailhead

    Volcan Mountain Preserve
    Volcan Mountain Preserve

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    Central Square Park - Playground for 2-5 year olds

    Central Square Park

    4.6(7 reviews)
    51.0 mi

    The 2nd Annual 80s Rewind Music Festival hosted by Cota Vera in Chula Vista, CA was AWESOME!!…read more The event was FREE and had tribute bands: Talking Threads-Tribute to Talking Heads; L.A. vation-Tribute to U2; Strangelove-Tribute to Depeche Mode. The festival had food truck vendors, radio stations Magic 92.5 and 91X giving away goodies. DJ Hurricane Andrew played a lot of great 80s music. They also had a Beer & Wine garden and 80s arcades for the kids. People were able to bring their beach chairs and enjoy the live music. The new park at Cota Vera had a beautiful kids playground and event entertained adults and kids. This was one of the best events I've been in a while and look forward to next year's festival. Happy Yelping :)

    As a toddler mom - I love this park. There's something for all ages including parents!…read more Huge grassy field, picnic tables for you and the family, play structures for all ages, swings, and more. The area is safe and there's plenty of space for everyone. A lot of Côta Vera (neighborhood community) events are held here. Plenty of parking surrounding the park itself. There's even a bathroom and I can happily report that it's clean! There's also a gas station walking distance (across the street) and a gated dog park nearby. 10 out of 10 recommend Central Square Park :)

    Photos
    Central Square Park - 2nd Annual 80s Rewind Music Festival hosted by Cota Vera in Chula Vista, CA it was AWESOME!

    2nd Annual 80s Rewind Music Festival hosted by Cota Vera in Chula Vista, CA it was AWESOME!

    Central Square Park
    Central Square Park - 2nd Annual 80s Rewind Music Festival hosted by Cota Vera in Chula Vista, CA it was AWESOME!

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    2nd Annual 80s Rewind Music Festival hosted by Cota Vera in Chula Vista, CA it was AWESOME!

    Inaja Memorial Park

    Inaja Memorial Park

    4.3(9 reviews)
    45.0 mi

    I was curious to see this trail-park, but didn't know the history till I read the board, (which I…read moreterribly forgot to take a full photo of). It memorializes 11 men that died while digging a fire line on steep canyon - three Forest Service firefighters, seven inmates firefighters & their correctional officer (from the Viejas Honor Camp (prison camp), died at approximately 8:00 PM (part of the blaze looped below their position and overran the crew) The fire, (which was started by arson on November 24, 1956), burned 43,611 acres before containment on the evening of November 28. This is from the National Forest Service Library website. It's has quite a few picnic tables, a couple grills by them but I personally wouldn't want to bbq out there. There are restrooms that are like porta pottys and a short trail (trails) but I didn't walk too far because of my knee. It's a beautiful, peaceful & scenic spot to go to if you live in the area or if you want to add to a pit stop while venturing out here. Main Street in Julian is down from here where you can grab a bite to eat at anyone of the restaurants/cafes.

    A small picnic stop on the way up to Julian. We stopped by…read moreto check out the nature trail and its viewpoint of the Santa Ysabel valley. The small loop trail is only .5 miles and about 15 minutes of hiking. This is a great place to stop and stretch your legs, go to the restroom, and maybe have a picnic before heading up to Julian.. - Restrooms - Views - Parking lot

    Photos
    Inaja Memorial Park
    Inaja Memorial Park
    Inaja Memorial Park

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    Explorer Park

    Explorer Park

    4.1(17 reviews)
    54.0 mi

    Nice open park, with two playgrounds. One is for older kids with lots of things to climb on and two…read moreswings. The tot playground is still decent for younger kids. Ample room to run around, play soccer or basketball on the court. There is. A nice track/sidewalk that goes around the loop. Only downside, no bathrooms.

    7/19/23 First time here, looking for a place to walk my dog that is cool and shady amidst this…read morepending heatwave! Here are my first impressions... Pros: *YES!!! Lots of shade and cool at around 5p in July! *Not terribly crowded when we walked here...hidden gem! *Good sized grassy area to set up sports practice, have a picnic, or rest awhile...when I was here there was a kids soccer camp with just 2 groups of kiddos CONS: *Cobwebs in the drinking fountain near the playground...bring your own water! (See picture) *Cobwebs in the doggie poo bag dispenser....please remember to bring your own bags and pick up after your pup! (See picture) NOTES: *Yelp map does not take you to the park....it takes you about 0.5 miles past to a random intersection. (See pictures) After posting this review, I will let Yelp know. Use directions from the CV Parks & Rec website instead (https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/parks/locations-features-amenities-photos/explorer-park) *I didn't see a parking lot...I parked on the street as did others. Parking was not a problem when I was here. Can't say for sure on holidays.

    Photos
    Explorer Park
    Explorer Park
    Explorer Park

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    Desert View Tower - parks - Updated May 2026

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