The California Wolf Center is dedicated to the recovery of wolves in the wildlands they once roamed. We envision a landscape where wolves thrive in healthy ecosystems and wolves and people successfully coexist. 

The center near Julian is home to several packs of gray wolves, including a pack of North American gray wolves as well as multiple packs of Mexican gray wolves. Some of the wolf packs are featured in their educational programs. 

The California Wolf Center participates in the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan, a bi-national effort to help Mexican wolves recover in the wild. They are among the largest breeding and host centers for Mexican gray wolves in the United States.

Learn about the plight of Mexican gray wolves here. Most of the Center's Mexican gray wolf packs reside in spacious, off-exhibit habitats that help prepare them for potential release into the wild. Retaining their wild nature by keeping them off-exhibit will help them to survive if they are selected for release into the Mexican Wolf Recovery Area in New Mexico and Arizona. The Mexican gray wolves that are not candidates for release or breeding are on limited exhibit during our educational programs. This gives visitors the extraordinary opportunity to view the distinctive physical features of this magnificent and unique subspecies of gray wolf. We offer a variety of programs to choose from, including public tours, private tours, school and youth programs, off-site presentations, special events, and more. Reservations are required for all programs. Please visit their web-site for more info: https://www.californiawolfcenter.org/

 https://www.facebook.com/VisitJulian/videos/2060004074041288/

The Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association center is located between Paso Picacho and Green Valley Campgrounds on Hwy 79. Just follow the signs that say Park Museum or walk there on the Cold Stream Trail. The Visitor Center houses the Park's Museum which contains displays and exhibits about the Park's history and wildlife. The Visitor Center is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00-4:00.

The Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association (CRSPIA) supports the mission of California State Parks, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Palomar Mountain State Park through education and interpretive activities that enhance the visitor’s experience.

CRSPIA accomplishes its goals principally through fundraising and supporting interpretive programs. Support is also provided for the parks’ volunteer groups, which include the Interpretive Assistance Unit, the Mounted Assistance Unit, the Mountain Bike Assistance Unit, and the Trails Maintenance Unit.

Historically, CRSPIA has passed along to park programs 95% of all funds received from the public. Sources of funds include profits from the operation of a gift shop and bookstore, sale of firewood, membership dues, and various fundraising events.

Over the last decade, revenues have grown steadily to the current level of approximately $90,000 per year. Members receive a monthly newspaper, “The Stonewall Sentinel.” Your membership in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association, or donation to the association, will help effectively support the visitor-serving activities of the Department of Parks and Recreation at two premier southern California units, Cuyamaca Rancho and Palomar Mountain State Parks.

Contact the association today for more information.

Julian is an official California Historical Landmark & is defined by the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance Section 5749, as the Julian Historic District.

It's a historic gold mining town located approximately one hour east of San Diego. Although famous for its apples and superb apple pie, Julian has become the center for visitors who wish to stay in the mountains but take day trips to the nearby attractions like Lake Cuyamaca, the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the coast. Specialty shops line the historic streets, and the attractions are unique, ranging from wineries to gold mines to a wolf preserve. With a year-round calendar of unique events including the Old Time Melodrama, Gold Rush Days, a 4th of July parade and the Grape Stomp Festa, etc., Julian offers plenty of old fashioned entertainment for couples, families and groups of all ages

While many crops were planted and animals pastured, Julian proved to be a fine place to grow apples. Julian apples, “Twenty-one varieties of well grown and carefully selected apples”, received the Bronze Wilder Medal, a top honor, from the American Pomological Society at the 1907 Tri-centennial Exposition held in Jamestown, Virginia. Apples continue to be produced in Julian. Their sweet, fresh flavor lures thousands to the mountains each fall, when visitors will find fruit stands overflowing with crisp fruit, homemade cider and other delicacies, and enjoy U-picking.

One of Julian's featured tours is the Eagle and High Peak Mines, two of Julian's original gold mines. Guides lead you through the intricate path of tunnels in the hard rock mine and share tales of the life of early residents of Julian.

This wonderful historic tour will take you through the Eagle & High Peak Mines, which were hand  made and date back to 1870. Get an up-close glimpse into Julian's rich past & experience life like the miners of old did. The Eagle Mining Co. has done an incredible job preserving these historic sites. Many of the original tools & machinery remain intact, as well as other artifacts from that era. You'll be guided through an intricate path of tunnels in the hard rock mine, while your guide shares tales of the life of early residents of Julian. This experience is not to be missed! Stop by during your next visit.

 If you're interested in learning more about yoga we highly recommend Meli Yoga

Meli Aguayo is a Certified Yoga Instructor (E-RYT 500), Personal Trainer, and Reiki healer based in San Diego, CA. She teaches weekly group yoga and private yoga, corporate wellness, healing and fitness sessions.

Meli has facilitated Yoga Teacher Training programs for the past 7 years and is a senior instructor at Corepower Yoga. She has taught over 5,000 yoga classes that include vinyasa, yin yoga, hot yoga, prenatal, and tone yoga.

A spiritual motivator who thrives to help her community explore their healthy lifestyle through self-care, healing and fitness. She believes that anyone can start their transformation, the time is now! Meli supports her students customize their practice, fitness regime, self care plan and spiritual journey to live a strong, healthy, joyful life. Owner of a dance production company for the past 10 years , has a passion for choreography in several different styles of movement including Latin, hip hop, freestyle and fire dance.

Lake Cuyamaca offers duck hunting that includes; mallards, pintail and widgeon. The lake is open for hunting on Wednesday and Sunday during the season as set by State and Federal regulations.

The majority of birds do not arrive until after December 1 & so hunting is usually held off during the first half of the season. However, if fall rains and the arrival of enough ducks warrants the opening of the East Lake during the first half, they usually do so.

Management will initially place seven double blinds for the use of season members. Season members are accepted on a first come / first serve  basis with payment of the $550 fee. Payment guarantees the member and a guest the use of the blind a minimum of six times during the season. Additional opportunities may develop if we get early rains and can open up the East Lake. Management will assign actual dates as soon as the season membership list is complete. A drawing will be held and dates and blinds will be assigned on a rotational basis. Register early as membership is limited.

The San Diego backcountry offers many hunting opportunities to choose from. Please be aware that these areas are actively patrolled by rangers and poachers will be prosecuted to the full extend of the law. You must have a valid hunting license and adhere to all hunting laws as prescribed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. We have a zero tolerance policy for poaching and illegal hunting activities.

Hunting is not allowed anywhere in the State Park. Seosonal Duck hunting is offered at Lake Cuyamaca in the winter months by reservation only. Hunting is permitted in the Cleveland National Forest in accordance with hunting regulations set forth by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. You can hunt with a firearm in the Cleveland National Forest except within the boundaries of the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Only bow hunting is allowed in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.

Hunting is traditionally a solitary sport that requires a lot of roughing it out. We want to change that. Our glamping sites are located near some of the best hunting sites in the backcountry so you can bring along the family. Our camouflaged hammocks can be used as blinds and deployed at any location including high up in the trees. They also serves as a comfortable resting area during your hunting outing.

Our company co-founder Rami Abdel is an avid hunter and spent many of his young years on the hunting trail with his father. A lot of his love and appreciation for nature stemmed from those experiences he had as a child. He only hunts what he'll eat and has many years experience as a hunter and game tracker. As he grew older, he was disappointed to find that it was getting harder and harder to keep this tradition alive. Hunting laws and regulations, although necessary, have also restricted the sport and made it much more challenging than it used to be. Hunting already requires a lot of reconnaissance work and prepping to ensure a successful trip, as well as waiting hours for a deer to hopefully cross your path. The process can seem very cumbersome and confusing, especially for first time hunters trying to learn the sport.

With such busy and fast paced lifestyles it was getting harder and harder to get out hunting. Rami also loved spending all his free time with his wife and family and wanted to find a way to have them nearby also enjoying the outdoors during his hunting trips.

That's where a lot of the inspiration for the hunting retreats came from. We take a lot of the hassle out of the process and position you in areas where you're most likely to catch a deer. Our team knows this area very well and take care of all of the scouting for you. We create strategic hunting blinds and outposts with our tree tents that bring a new dimension to the hunting experience.

The Laguna / El Prado campground is located in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area - Cleveland National Forest. It's a beautiful mountain getaway & one of the most unique environments in San Diego county. It was designated a National Recreation Area by Presidential proclamation in 1926.

Our glamping sites are located within the The Laguna / El Prado campground. We have both tree tents and bell tents available on site. We can host groups of up to 24 people with our different combination of tree tents.

The region famous for its terrain that transitions from a desert environment to a mountain top conifer forest. The trails are fun to explore with picturesque scenery along the way. Within the recreation area is the Big Laguna Mountain Meadows & the Little Laguna Lake. It is forested with pines and oaks that provide plenty of shade, in addition to a meadow. The area is home to many species of birds, as well as the endangered Laguna Skipper butterfly.

The Laguna Mountain Recreation Area is known for great horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking trails. Most famous of all is a segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from California to the State of Washington. Wildflowers are usually abundant in April and May on the Big Laguna Trail, which takes visitors past Big Laguna Lake. Families can learn about the area's flora and fauna by attending educational programs at the facility's amphitheater. The El Prado Cabin is located at nearby El Prado Campground, is the first ranger cabin built in the Cleveland National Forest in 1911.

This is what's included as part of your glamping retreat:

- We reserve & prepare your site, which has been handpicked for the best glamping experience possible. Flush bathrooms/shower

- Rate includes all federal park fees & parking fees (maximum 2 vehicles) $10 per extra vehicle payable to RRM

- We set-up your Tentsiles tree tent that includes V-tech sleeping pad, sleeping bag & pillows

- 5-gallon drinking water dispenser that we re-fill as needed

- Hanging compartments & bins to keep things organized including all your kitchen utensils

- First Aid Kit

- Ambient lighting around your Tentsile, as well as a spotlight if needed at night

- Carpet & lounge chairs under your Tentsile, as well as seats around the campfire.

- Outdoor kitchen to cook & serve your group - table, stove-top, pots/pans, kettle, spices & kitchen utensils. Just bring your food.

It is your responsibility to know & abide by all the laws and regulations of the state parks and national forests at all times during your trip. You'll receive a briefing as soon as you arrive and we'll cover the park rules & regulations, as well as safety and proper equipment use.

The San Diego State University Observatory also sponsors "Star Parties" for campers most Saturday evenings during the summer (schedule can be obtained at the nearby visitor center or by calling 619-473-8547.

Cuyamaca Peak, the second highest point in San Diego County, looms tall on the western edge of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. There are many trails and fire roads that can be used to craft different routes up the summit, but the most direct and popular course is to climb the Lookout Fire Road, starting at Paso Picacho Campground. This road, being entirely paved asphalt, is also the only hike in the park that dogs are allowed on.