My family and I decided to come to Julian for a couple of days and stayed at an Airbnb about 5…read moreminutes out of town.. We had not been anywhere for quite a while together or separately so this was a easy get away as it is about an hour away from where we live. There are only two ways to get here so check your map before you leave as one way is a very curvy ;() road around Cuyamaca or you can spend an extra 10 or 15 minutes to come to Ramona which I prefer. Although, it is more Scenic going around the Cuyamaca area and seeing the the lake. We spent a couple of hours Friday walking around Julian and there are lots of tourist shops with some interesting items, several breweries and a handful of restaurants and lots of pie shops. If you like pie you'll get a real variety here. For instance, boysenberry Apple Dutch crumb. Yum! We did stop at a barbecue place that was just okay and were able to sit outside. Saturday we came back into town and made a our way up to Menghini Winery which I had not been to in the many years. I was very happy to see it still open and spoke with one of the owners briefly as she told me there were only three people working there and they were only bottling three types of wine. My son's wife and I bought a nice Chardonnay for $27. I tried a little of the Merlot which I liked but was really looking for a Malbec or Meritage which is my favorite. There are a few wineries up here one close to the one we visited called Vulcan and there's a lake there small and one in town. I am posting a little information on the history of the town of Julian so if you're interested you can follow through. It was settled in 1869 and the Julian Hotel was run and owned by the first Afro-American. There used to be a carriage with horses that would take you around town didn't see that this time. There's also a fun mine, a lovely gem shop, a pistol and knife shop. The fresh air was great and the sunrises and sunsets were spectacular. I look forward to coming back here with another adult leave the three teenagers behind. LOL

This was our first stop during our little trip to Julian, we came to Town Hall. They had several…read morepamphlets and maps for around town. Once we stepped inside they had alot of plenty nice looking quilts for sale and for auction. They also had other several little things for sale. We ended up leaving with a homemade lavender candle that actually came in handy at the hotel we ended up staying at lol.

Descanso town hall was an excellent venue for our wedding. The town hall is restored beautifully…read moreand the grounds are gorgeous. Rebecca was very helpful with all our questions. Just be sure to follow the cleanup list to the letter. Stayed an hour after my wedding to clean up and still lost my deposit and then some due to small things, like the chairs not being covered or 20 bucks for a couple water bottles in the freezer. There is no room for error, if you're not going to put things away, don't even waste your time as you will still be charged. Besides that, the venue is priced excellently, and they provide tables and chairs and table cloths for an additional fee.

Welcome to Descanso! We love our quiet little town and old fashioned way of living. The town hall…read moreis just another fine example of this. Old wood panelled walls that if they could talk would have so many stories to tell. The original town hall was built in the early 1900s and is still here today. Be sure to stop in for a pancake breakfast, second sunday of every month. Or book your next event here.

Old Town Temecula has such cute, quirky vibes!…read more It's a relatively short walk from one end to the other about 15 minutes, but definitely be prepared for the heat. The sun makes that walk feel a bit longer than it actually is. We passed by so many unique shops and inviting restaurants. The highlight of our walk was seeing a Mario and Luigi just hanging out in a car parked in front of one of the stores. It's those little unexpected details that make this place so charming. Highly recommend for a weekend stroll, just remember to stay hydrated.

Old Town Temecula is a historic district of the city that has a western-themed vibe. It's…read moreconsidered the "downtown" of Temecula as it has a lot of dining, entertainment, and nightlife but it's still relatively small and compact. It has a Wild West charm that spans to the buildings, restaurants and bars in the form of "saloons", and wooden boardwalks and western-style storefronts. There is a farmers market every Saturday at 8am where tons of vendors show up selling things from food, veggies, fruits, honey, and lot more. There are also free public restrooms throughout for convenience. There is free parking at the many garages around and on the street which makes it easy to explore the area.

I haven't been back in a year so thought it would be nice to check out the civic center park again…read more The park is never very crowded so you can walk at a leisurely pace without worrying about being bumped into. I've also never seen bikes either so it's a safe pedestrian walking trail. The park is very well maintained. They had many flags up for the week of the 4th. You can definitely get some good pictures here. The parking is easy and the restrooms are clean. I saw new pieces of artwork this time but the Bunnyhenge and Ronald Reagan statue seem to be the more permanent fixtures. If you walk towards the front of the civic center, they have a nice display of desert plants.

I come here very frequently to pull different types of permits. They are typically very well…read morestaffed and the line moves at a decent pace. The parking is plentiful and very close to the building. However, I will say they could have some better hours as they close pretty early compared to other cities halls in the area.

When you are in town visiting, this is a must for everyone. There is so much to see, so much to…read moreeat, and so much to do. Plus, you can get your steps in for the day. There are so many parking lots in the area and it really doesn't matter where you park, since they are all in the area and there is something on every corner. On special events, it can get busy and you may not find a parking spot. On this visit, we were here for the Dia de Los Muertos festival and it was packed. Luckily, we got there early, so were able to park quick and right behind the church (best location/lot). First off, make sure to take a picture by the park sign since it tends to get backed up with tourists. There are many vendors along the streets and also inside the shopping area which has lots of cool items and souvenirs. Inside the park, there are little museums that talk about the history of San Diego and the prominent families that call this home. Really cool learning experience and to get an idea of what SD looked like in the past. Plus, there is a cemetery with different tombstones with information for those that are intrigued by learning more about the deceased. Also, be sure to look down when walking on the street, there are grave markers where people have been laid to rest. A bit spooky but interesting. On Dia de Los Muertos, they have special vendors selling custom art pieces and numerous tables to do arts and crafts. I was able to try calligraphy wit a quill pen, make my own sugar skull, and also design a papel picado. There was live music and face painting to celebrate all our loved ones who have passed. The restaurants located in Old Town are also great so make sure you find the one that calls you in. From authentic Mexican food, to a quick bite, there is something for everyone. Be sure to wear walking shoes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty since most of the areas are grassy or have dirt trails. Def recommend everyone to visit at least once to explore. Have fun and enjoy your day at one of San Diego's popular neighborhoods.

If you've grown up in Los Angeles, chances are you've been to Old Town in San Diego. It's a pretty…read moreeasy drive, but feels like you've entered another world. The building were settled to feel like stepping into San Diego at the turn of the 19th century. If you focus on the history of the landscape and the structures themselves, looking beyond the carts filled with modern day tchotchkes and souvenirs, you can definitely appreciate what it must have been like. We were in SD for a game at Petco. I wanted to stay in the Old Town area because I have only ever done day, or once an evening, trips to Fiesta plaza and the restaurants and scores of stores along San Diego Ave, to the east of the OTSDSHP, but never really explored this neighborhood beyond the usual tourist spots. What a treat it was to enjoy this beautiful park at night, long after tourists had departed, and while a few locals remained for a last call, or to close down their stalls and shops for the night. This park takes on a rather special feel, more personal and slightly spookier than I imagined. We felt very safe walking around the grounds at night. Saw a few SDPD patrolling the perimeters, making sure late night bar goers minded their Ps & Qs, as well a a few other couples just strolling around, enjoying the soft lighting and old world charm. Many people and reviews will tell you about the great shops, food and margaritas to be had in Old Town and I fully concur! There's just nothing like a fresh made, hot, buttery flour tortilla and a margarita larger than your head on a warm , sunny day. But, if you can, come check out the area around 9pm and stroll the grounds, reading the various building and history plaques. Crowds have departed and not much, if anything is still open, but the quiet beauty of the park at night is time well spent reflecting on what it must've been like to settle in this beautiful region over 200 years ago. Cheers! "CC"

It's been decades since I've been back to Coronado Island. When I drive over the beautiful bridge…read moreand enter the Island, the first thing I tend to notice is how clean, crisp and well kept everything is. The heritage, the history and that 1888 old town feels is super captivating. The restaurants and shops are always fun to explore. Tons to offer from boutiques to bargains and local eats to treats, there is something for everyone! Additionally, the walkability to "ALL the things" is convenient, beneficial and easy. Indulged in lobster roll from Lobster West which was so delicious & had a feature favorite (coconut/chocolate) ice cream from MooTime Creamery! On most of my San Diego visits, I always make a trip to the beach. This one makes a memorial impression. It's so sophisticated, peaceful and pleasant! Plus, it's unique fun finds of some stunning special sea shells is a reminder of its iconic charm. It's just truly a pleasure to come here even if it's just to simply watch the waves of the bay at ALL times of the day! Don't miss out on visiting the stunning Hotel del Coronado. If you are a non guest, you still have options. You can choose to walk thru the property OR you have the option to purchase a "Day Pass" via ResortPass (check their website site) for access to the pool, beach daybeds, and cabanas. There's also options for dinning & drinking as well without having any hotel reservations. Enjoy!

When I was a teenager, I read a long book series that was set in Coronado Island, so it was really…read morecool to see the place in real life 20 years later. The beach was gorgeous with palm trees lining the path to it. The Hotel Del was really neat to see. We also drove past a couple of famous folk's houses. The main area looked pretty as well. I wish I could've spent more time on the island, but it was a lovely first glimpse.

The Idyllwild Community Center and Town Hall provides variety of recreational, cultural, and social…read moreopportunities for residents and visitors. The ICC currently runs programs and events such as youth and adult sports, senior fitness, holiday and summer camps, feeding America distribution, a Sunday farmers' market and monthly mountain luncheon, and the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The ICC also operates the Town Hall, Butterfield Amphitheater, Idyllwild Community Playground, Dog Park, Skate Park, and Pickleball Court. How I found out about all of this was by attending the tail end of their Sunday Farmers Market which was located right next to this building.