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    Volcan Mountain Preserve

    4.6 (87 reviews)

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    Ed T.

    This review is for the Volcan Mountain Trail which was a 4.9 mile round trip hike that took about 2.5 hours to complete. Mostly a steady incline to the top with great views! Muddy in some areas from the recent rain. Parking is available on the side of the street. Short video of the hike for those interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHj_5gHL0L0

    Trail
    Lisa W.

    Awesome hike! I don't know why I've never been on this hike until recently?! It's such a good workout. About 5 miles round trip, elevation gain of about 1200, dog friendly. Plenty of parking on the streets. The trail opens at 8am. Dog friendly! Some shady area in the first mile. Gets super hot around spring and summer time. Bring plenty of water and some snacks. The first mile is the hardest with the highest elevation gains, then it tapers off and slow ascend. The peak doesn't have a lot of seating because when you get to the top it's a big loop, there wasn't a high point like most hikes, but still a good workout. There's a memorial bench but there were a lot of people around that area. We like this better than Cuyamaca. The last time Cuyamaca had too much trash at the top (we saw a trash pile of diapers and other trash). And Stonewall Peak had too many bees swarming at the top monument. Volcan had some bugs flying around but it was harmless.

    Jared S.

    Did the Volcan Mountain Trail, which is a 4.9 mile out and back trail with a 1,264 elevation gain (give or take). My boyfriend and I did this hike in mid-February on a cloudy day so the weather was great for hiking...although being from the Arizona desert, we were a little cold for part of the hike even with our three layers of clothing on. Even though it was in the upper 40s/low 50s, there was still some snow The hike is pretty, although it had snowed a few days prior so parts of the trail were rather muddy and the mud was rather goopy. Once you get to the top it's worth it though as the view is great. Definitely a moderate to difficult hike as it's a pretty good incline the whole way. You gain over 1,200 feet in just 2.45 miles so it was a decent workout. According to my Apple Watch, I burned over 1,200 calories doing this hike.

    03-17-21
    Sue D.

    Third time doing this hike. This time I came with one of my BFs. Enjoyed the experience as much as the first time I hiked this trail. The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold. We got to the trailhead at 9:00am. There was plenty of parking spaces. We also lucked out with the porta potties. They had just been sprayed down. Chatted with some nice people along the way. Everyone was so willing to lend a hand to take pics for us. Wild flowers were in bloom. So colorful! Plenty of shade. Took our time to enjoy the scenery. It was my BF's first time, wanted her to take in everything at her own pace. Note: 1107 Farmer Rd. Julian, CA 92036 Make a left turn at the second Farmer Rd., not the first. Otherwise, you will end up at the winery. Don't need to carry a lot of water for the trail. One bottle was plenty. I only drank half. Happy hiking everyone!

    Nell E.

    This was my second time hiking Volcan Mountain Preserve in Julian. It was a hot day, scorching in fact, but my group wanted pie, and the pie would be our reward for a hike. Volcan mountain was just a 5 minute drive from Main-Street. Walking up the pathway to the gateway entrance to our hike, we were welcomed by the trademark heavy panel-doors of Volcan Mountain, decorated with metal accents, a play on the whimsy and mystery of the charming town of Julian. As we walked up the mountain-side, we stopped to look over the fields and green expanse that lay behind us. Our trek was spaced with rocky climbs and a flattened trail, tricky enough for us to work up an appetite, without too much strain or difficulty. An enjoyable hike!! When we'd had our fill of the views and the trek, we turned back and returned to Julian in the time-honoured tradition of après-hike apple pie for a sweet end to a special day.

    Ashley B.

    If you find yourself in the quaint mountain town of Julian, CA looking to stretch your legs, I highly recommend the scenic 5 mile out-and-back hike up Vulcan Mountain. Despite being a moderate trail with over 5353 feet of elevation gain, the well-marked route makes the hike accessible and enjoyable. We found ample parking right off the road at the trailhead. There were even clean porta-potties here for one last pitstop before starting on our way. The trail was extremely dog-friendly for our pup, though we did see signs warning of mountain lions in the area. While we thankfully didn't spot any big cats, we did catch a glimpse of some large paw prints in the dirt! As we switchbacked under a lush forest canopy, we were treated to spectacular views of the Volcan Mountain Wilderness through breaks in the trees. The vista from the top of Vulcan Mountain was an incredible payoff for our efforts. We took triumphant photos in front of the commemorative summit sign to celebrate our achievement. After admiring the sights, we retraced our steps back to the car. The descent went quickly with the help of the thought of lunch waiting for us. With beautiful wooded scenery, capped off by a panoramic summit viewpoint overlooking Julian and beyond, this was a quintessential SoCal day hike that I'd take visitors on to showcase the natural beauty surrounding this charming mountain escape. Whether you stop for a slice of apple pie before or after, no trip to Julian is complete without conquering Vulcan Mountain!

    Beth G.

    Great hike! 5 miles round trip up and back... took 2-2.5 hours. I would rate it as moderate. I went 1/2/2021 and there was quite a bit of snow and ice, so bring good boots! Dogs are allowed on leash. There's one trashcan at the beginning (maybe 5 minutes walk from where you park your car on the street), and then no other trashcans. There were some porta-potties around that same spot too. Overall, would definitely come again. Got my heart going!

    Beginning of the trail looks like a road.
    Audra H.

    Peaceful hike out into the great outdoors! A couple of key points about this hike: 1) NO BATHROOMS 2) Mountain lions and rattlers can be found here 3) partial shade (wear sunscreen!) Today (6/28/18) I hiked Volcan Mountain. I began around 8:30am. I'd highly suggest using the "Easy 2 Hike" app. I used it because it was my first time doing his hike and the cell service was good and the app has a map and shows you were you are in relation to the hike. SO helpful! The hike is an intense climb so be prepared for the steep climb and some switch backs throughout the hike. The nice thing is, you can find some shade along the eastern side of the trail periodically because you're moving up the mountains through trees and then some open spaces. I did the shorter version of the hike. I went up until the lookout point where the Trail can loop back down the mountain on the road side (wider trail on this side). The hike was about 3 miles if you stop at the lookout point and then turn back and don't continue to the top of the mountain. I'll definitely be back to check out the WHOLE hike here. It's pretty relaxing and beautiful.

    Gordon V.

    Parking is along the street and a short walk up a dirt road takes you to a really impressive entrance. Two port o potties were on site. This is a great trail, moderate. The first mile and a half it is steep and there are a few rocky areas as you ascend. There are two ways to get to the summit so I went to the right as the trail splits and did the loop. It is a wonderful trail through large oak trees, some shade, and a few switch backs and some beautiful views and wild life, mostly birds and lizards. As you get to the top you will see a large wooden bench with a plate and carvings, you made it to the summit. Views of majestic mountains, fields of tall grass, beautiful flowers, surround the area. On the opposite side you will see the Salton Sea in the distance and rolling landscape that takes your breath away it so beautiful. There is a man made rock chimney and information about the history of why it's there, check it out pretty fascinating. There is also information showing the different mountains in the surrounding area and a viewing station to get a closer look. Very enjoyable hike with amazing views.

    Marcus F.

    Skip the crowded Apple Farms and hike up Volcan Mountain instead. Deep in Julian Apple Country off Farmer Road is a nice trail up to the Volcan Mountain summit. It's roughly 5.4 miles up and down ( though my tracker had it closer to 6 miles). It's a moderate hike, and if you're not accustomed to hiking up a mountain you might be in some trouble. Hard to say if it's kid friendly because there were kids hiking the trail, but it's not an easy hike. Tip - On the way up be sure to take the Five Oaks Trail alternative hike to the top..It's a real trail with some cool views of the valley. The "Path" trail is pretty boring... - Annoying little flies

    Hanh N.

    There are NO bathrooms.. ok so now that this detail is out of the way.. this hike was so lovely! There was plenty of shade, and it was not overcrowded like the other hike we attempted to go to that day (cedar creek) which was 20 miles away and we found out requires a permit. My favorite part of this hike was towards the end when we reached a small stretch of forestry grove which led up to a meadow area near the top. This was right before the designated overlook area. Caution: there are rattlesnakes (we encountered two that were shaking it's rattlers) and very giant so be cautious when you're on the trail! Also there seems to be construction cars going through the preserve so when you are moving over for them to pass by, just remember there might be snakes close by. Enjoy your hike!

    Julia P.

    It was a great workout! From the gateway you go along the service road until you reach the trailhead to the five oaks trail. You can either contribute on the service road at this point or branch off onto the five oaks trail. My friend and I chose five oaks because it sounded like it would have more shade (we started hiking just after 9, and it was warm). As it turns out, the five oaks trail did have patches of shade, but not all of it was shaded. If hiking during warm weather definitely bring lots of water and a hat. The first part of this hike is all uphill, and then it levels out a bit. There were SO MANY bugs! My friend accidentally had one fly into her mouth when she was talking. We passed a guy with a big net on, so he had obviously been there before and knew what to come with. We also saw a second lady with a face mask on. The trail itself was very well maintained, and there were great views as you moved farther up the trail. I loved that they put benches here and there, and there were also signs with good info on them at various points on the trail. Still plenty of flowers out there as well! Overall, it was a great hike, though if I did it again I would definitely go in the spring, or late fall, when it cools down.

    Doris W.

    Hiked Saturday 8/1/2015 Mileage: 5.5 miles My best friend has been wanting to take me to Volcan to hike, and this past weekend we finally went! There are pros and cons to this place. Mostly pros. We left from Carlsbad around 7:30 am and it took us an hour and a half to get out there. Parking: free, you just park along Farmers Rd Trail head: well marked. There's two Volcan Mountain signs, one right next to the road and another further up the trail. The trail is well maintained. We took the main trail up and looped back on the 5 Oaks Trail. There were a ton of bugs in our face! We saw some people walk by with a bug net over their hats, I was so jealous I wish I had one! The man was like "$5.00 at Big 5!". Pretty trail considering you're still in San Diego County. Julian itself is a pretty lil city. The hike is pretty much all up hill. There's no real flat spot, you just keep going up till you get to the top where there's a bench. There's 2 benches, one next to a tower under a big tree, its shaded, and the other if you follow a lil trail across from the bench next to the tower, you will find a log bench with a good view of Julian. I've done a lot of hikes, and this one was not my favorite. There was no grand finale and it was kinda far to drive to. But we did a lot after our hike like grab a tasting at Julian Hard Cider and a slice of apple pie from Julian Pie Company. So it was a fun day trip.

    This is in front of the preserve on the ground...

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    Well maintained and clean. Limited parking but understandable. Great for hiking during the fall season.

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    Beautiful views, easy parking for trail entrance, well-maintained paths. Would recommend for a moderate Julian hike!

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    Ask the Community - Volcan Mountain Preserve

    Review Highlights - Volcan Mountain Preserve

    We took the Five Oaks trail on the way down, which had a lot more switch backs and not as steep as the main trail.

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    Jess Martin County Park - Go pumba go

    Jess Martin County Park

    4.0(4 reviews)
    2.9 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.

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    Inaja Memorial Park

    Inaja Memorial Park

    4.3(9 reviews)
    4.9 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

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    Inaja Memorial Park
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    Lake Cuyamaca

    Lake Cuyamaca

    3.7(152 reviews)
    8.7 mi

    It's a challenge to find serenity in San Diego county. And even harder within driving distance of…read moredowntown. But then there's Lake Cuyamaca, a hidden gem. I went on a 6 mile hike with my wife around the lake and also through a couple of spurs off the main trail. There's one spot where you can look down into a valley and see where all the water collects. In those moments I try to use my mind's eye to see all sorts of animals running around thousands of years ago.

    I didn't realize how much you could do at Lake Cuyamaca. Look no further if you want a great…read morecampsite with fishing spots and trails scattered around the area! If you're just visiting for the day like us, you'll need to pay for day use which is $10 per car. This fee is waived for campers or if you purchase a fishing permit (which is separate from the California fishing license). We started off at the Tackle Shop where we figured out our day passes and fishing logistics. The worker gave some great recommendations for fishing spots and this is where our group split, with several people fishing and the rest hiking. The Lake Cuyamaca Loop Trail is fairly easy and straightforward. It's about 3 miles total with little to no elevation gain. The trail mostly wraps around the edge of the lake but there was a section through an open field...the lake probably at one point stretched all the way out there but has dried up now. There's only a small section that had shade so for the most part, you'll be exposed to the sun (I got extremely sunburnt). You can use AllTrails if you're worried about getting lost but I thought the trail was pretty clear. We finished the hike in about an hour and just hung out with the rest of our friends fishing. We got lucky and it was such a beautiful day, with clear blue skies. Will definitely be back because I heard you could rent boats to fish off of! Oh and dogs are allowed as long as they're on a leash!

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    Lake Cuyamaca
    Lake Cuyamaca
    Lake Cuyamaca

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    Julian Town Hall

    Julian Town Hall

    4.3(7 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    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.

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    Julian Town Hall
    Julian Town Hall - Opposite view of the street from town hall

    Opposite view of the street from town hall

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    Volcan Mountain Preserve - hiking - Updated May 2026

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