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    Lake Cuyamaca Lodge

    4.3 (29 reviews)
    ModerateHotels
    Open Open 24 hours

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    View of the lodge from Lake restaurant
    Paula R.

    Charming, comfortable, friendly & inviting stay at the Ruel's Lodge. Joann accommodated our visit even when she had no other guests (intentional) booked for the evening! As for the actual rooms, you will not find a cleaner room in all of Southern CA. Not a blemish on the walls, floorboards were immaculate, showers same. Sheets were quality, high thread count, with large fluffy comfy pillows. We stayed in room 6 which had a lake view, there is a standing, oscillating fan, a ceiling fan and a sliding glass door so we were able to sleep with door open and fresh air. My husband and I slept soundly. Back patio has rocking chairs! And the view... In the morning Joann & her husband gave us a tour of the property. Absolutely incredible all they have done. The workmanship they have both invested is seen in each detail of the home. Sad to report the house is for sale. One can only hope new owners will have a desire to keep the lodge. But I say do not wait! If you have been wanting to try this place out, now is the time. Experience the Ruel's hospitality, you will not be disappointed. As for meals, while it does have a b&b feel, you will need to go offsite for food. I recommend the many, wonderful restaurants in Julian. The drive is relaxing and the food is quality. And of course get the pie. You can bring back a slice and eat it in the common room while watching the hummingbirds and the lake.

    View from the room.
    Maria P.

    My boyfriend and I stayed the weekend here and it was lovely! The view is breathtaking and there are gorgeous horses right out the window. The place is kept very clean and neat, and the room was a spacious amount for us. It is close near the heart of Julian, which is convenient and is very close by hiking trails if you enjoy hiking. I would recommend anyone looking for a getaway to stay here. Very tranquil and romantic.

    A shot from our balcony to the next one - the entire front of the Lodge is balcony.
    Colleen S.

    This spectacular spot is the best on the Lake - built lovingly with the highest level of planning and care by its owner, this resembles a large, rambling luxury home that has a deck outside of most guest rooms FACING THE WATER. We walked down the hill to the edge of Lake Cuyamaca at dusk, then dawn after sipping coffee with the hummingbirds.

    Natalie R.

    Amazing place great for a getaway. The lodge felt welcoming and Joann made us feel at home. Our room had an amazing view of the lake. Very clean rooms and clean common areas. It was just the thing we were looking for. We enjoyed our quiet and relaxing getaway. Definitely going back!!

    Finding a place to stay in Julian wasn't easy but after we called Joann (the owner), she made us feel right at home! Once we got there, she swiftly helped us and showed us around her beautiful property. After seeing the room as well, you can immediately tell how much care Joann and her husband hold for this place. The beds were very comfortable (we slept like babies) and everything was super clean and well furnished. The view was impeccable, especially at dawn! The fog over the lake and the many animals were breathtaking. You can't find a view and experience like this anywhere on Main Street. we'll definitely be back soon!

    Suemie K.

    My husband and I went to lake cuyamaca lodge over Memorial Day weekend. The rooms are very spacious and the bathroom was clean. The owner Joanne is super sweet and very accommodating. This location is right across the street from the lake, so it's super convenient for fishing or hiking. Keep note, this is not a bed and breakfast but you get the feel of one. There is a common area that has water, coffee and ice. I believe there is a microwave too. Will come back and stay again with Lake cuyamaca lodge.

    A poor iPhone pic of a beautiful sunrise, taken from Lodge deck.
    K T.

    We were fortunate to find out about this gem a couple of days before an ultrarunning event we were participating in at the Lake. Have to say, this is our new favorite place to stay in Julian; a very comfortable and warm refuge after a day of enjoying the trails. And, the truly wonderful owners are ready to help, when needed. There are only about 8 rooms that make the entire lodge-wing; 4 with lovely views of the Lake but all are beautiful and spacious with private baths and large closets. Think of a BnB, but without meals. It's very easy to feel at home here. You have access to the necessities like a microwave, coffeemaker/kettle, fridge and a very comfortable Common Room where we ate Board and Brew sandwiches we brought up. (Personally, I much prefer the Common Room idea over eating in my room, as I don't like my bedroom smelling like food nor do I like a messy room.) Because I am a neatfreak, I appreciated how immaculate the rooms were. Everything looks so new. And the sunrise/sunset over the Lake is pretty stunning. I just can't recommend this Lodge enough. It would be perfect for a couple's getaway, a quiet girl's weekend, a homebase for runners/hikers, or a small wedding venue (they have a large room that over looks the lake!). Joann makes sure you have everything you need and is quietly attentive--just a text away.

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    7 years ago

    Very happy to have stayed here. The room was super cute and comfy. Lake side view was also great, especially at sunrise and sunset.

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    9 years ago

    We wish the lodge was right by the lake and not on the other side of road, but it had everything we need to stay over.

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    Ask the Community - Lake Cuyamaca Lodge

    Review Highlights - Lake Cuyamaca Lodge

    Finding a place to stay in Julian wasn't easy but after we called Joann (the owner), she made us feel right at home!

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Julian Gold Rush Hotel - Their famous homemade granola - it was lovely!

    Julian Gold Rush Hotel

    (504 reviews)

    $$

    Charming B&B! Like stepping back in time, the hotel is filled with antique furniture and historic…read moretouches ( never fear the plumbing is modern!) As noted in other reviews the rooms are small- my husband and I are NOT small, we managed! The tall bed was comfortable and there was a helpful step placed in the closet so I did not have to resort to a high jump to get in. The bed was comfy. Breakfast was ok- I have a food allergy and staff had to scramble to accommodate it. I didn't think of it when we made the reservations, so that is on me. STAFF WAS AMAZING! Warm, friendly and filled with recommendations on where to eat ( dinner- and of course APPLE PIE!) We all agreed (we were traveling with others) that we would like to come and stay again. When you take into account the afternoon tea and a full breakfast, it's downright budget friendly!

    My wife and I stayed in the Julian Gold Rush Hotel for two nights few weeks ago. Here are some pros…read moreand cons: Pros: Price, our room was $155 / night. That would probably pay for parking in San Diego hotels. This is a historic building and an interesting attraction in its own right. Breakfast is included and it was terrific. Food is expensive in Julian. A similar breakfast at a local restaurant would be $20. The staff are great. I met several day managers and the night security guy. They are all terrific people. It is really like staying in someone's home rather than a hotel. These is no TV. I think that belongs with the pros. The location is great. Right in the middle of town. Cons: Our room was tiny. Really tiny. Use the drawers and closets for your stuff so you don't trip over it. A side effect of the smallness of the room is that the heater/ac struggles to control the temperature . The design of any heater/ac unit presumes a room volume. The room is so tiny, the heater's built in control parameters are way off. Parking, parking is "street parking" and on a weekend, it's every man for himself. You may have to drag your bags a block or two. ---------------------- So would we stay there again? Absolutely. I would probably spend a bit more and get one of the small number of larger rooms, if available. If you want to relax and read, I cannot think of a better place. One thing I should mention, if you attempt to make reservations on line, there are half a dozen fake web sites imitating the hotel. They are put up by a dodgy travel company. They are really good imitations. I even an experienced computer user could be fooled. It is best just to call them.

    Orchard Hill - Turkeys

    Orchard Hill

    (169 reviews)

    $$$

    Arrival makes you feel you have reached a place you dreamt about. In amongst the tall pines…read morewhispering with a sound that soothes the sole. The front desk cannot do enough to please at every turn. Fresh basket of hot fresh brewed coffee and special Coffee Cakes every morning. Happy Hour at 4:30 with fresh hors d'oeuvres and an excellent full service bar, all in front of a large custom fireplace in large cozy couches & Chairs. Heavy soft and warm bathrobes and a bed to make your day feel like it was worth every minute.The location is a short walk into the Village where you can find excellent restaurants like "Romano's (Great Italian food and service) and The Julian Cafe (To die for Breakfast and more). Orchard Hill has a nice flowing stream running down hill into a pond full of goldfish in and around the heavy pines. You will love your stay and will not want to leave. Enjoy.

    We've come here once a year for quite some time, so our expectations for this boutique…read moreestablishment were fairly high based on past experiences. While the room is still beautiful, we noticed several changes that made this stay feel less special than before. In previous visits, breakfast was served in the main house with beautiful views, which was always something we looked forward to. This time, breakfast consisted of two muffins and a thermos delivered to the room, which felt like a significant downgrade from the experience we had come to expect. There were also small boutique touches that seem to be missing now. In the past, there were little cookies by the coffee maker and other thoughtful treats that added to the charm of the stay. While these may seem like small details, they are part of what justified the price point and made the experience feel unique and memorable. Overall, the property is still lovely, but many of the personalized touches and amenities that once made it feel like a true boutique experience no longer seem to be there, which was disappointing

    Butterfield Bed & Breakfast - Private entrance to the Rosebud Cottage, which is the only room that is its own building so no one above or below you, very quiet

    Butterfield Bed & Breakfast

    (82 reviews)

    Such a wonderful and quaint B&B! Want to find a special getaway for our 29th wedding anniversary…read more The owners are amazing and really make the place special. We stayed in the Rosebud Cottage so cute and private, your own little home away from home! Love the home cooked breakfast...Can't say enough. Everything was perfect! Look forward to our next stay!

    My fiancé and I just stayed here this weekend for a couple nights and had a wonderful stay. The…read moreplace is tranquil and secluded, away from Main St and all the noise, but only a 5 min drive away. Dawn and Ed are great communicators, they had cookies ready for us on arrival, and Dawn met us to check us in and give us info. We stayed in the Rose room, which is roomy, has a heater and an old fireplace which they give you wood for. Bathroom/shower has a separate heater, and the room has its own patio, but we found it's much nicer to explore the grounds and sit on one of their many benches and chairs spread throughout the hillside with nice views. There are cows across the street that are friendly, and we went to say hi to them in the mornings and feed them tall grass. And don't forget to step outside the cottage at night to gaze at the Milky way galaxy...you heard me correctly...not just stars, you can see the faint outline of the Milky way because Julian is a Dark Sky community and Ed and Dawn's place is very dark at night...epic! Breakfasts are a delicious two course meal of a fruit dish and main. Added bonus is chatting with Ed and Dawn about Julian history and getting tips on places to go/eat. Ed and Dawn were also accommodating to bring our breakfast to their outdoor patio since my fiancé had some smell sensitivity to the food cooking in the main room (but also, it's kind of nicer to sit outside, but then you miss communing with the other guests) The main breakfast/communal area has a bunch of books and movies you can check out and take to your room, along with microwavable popcorn...we watched Gone with the Wind on VHS with the fire burning at night...such a charming and memorable time! Thanks Dawn and Ed! Our only recommendations would be: 1) for those with allergies, getting some cotton bed sheets rather than microfiber/synthetic material (we asked but they didn't have any at the time) 2) while we loved the charm of the themed rooms, there is just a lot of stuff, i.e. old teddy bears/dolls on shelves, old style window curtains that are more for show rather than necessary since the windows already have blinds, these things just make the room feel crowded and also gather dust. But maybe that's just our minimalist preference? 3) The room is advertised with a Queen bed, but seemed more like a Full (perhaps it's a European Queen?), just seemed on the smaller side. In any event, we'll probably try to book the Apple room next time which has a King size bed (which was already taken during our stay) and has a view into the woods. 4) the couch/futon cushion is detached from the wood frame and has a tendency to slide around, and it's also bigger than the seating area, so you could end up sitting on the cushion but not the frame, thus falling down.

    Banner Ranch Julian - Hanging in the general store playing pool

    Banner Ranch Julian

    (19 reviews)

    *Banner Ranch Julian- Huge very nice nature trees/flowers/…read moreetc nice walks wandering is so nice we saw a big turkey walks female turkeys follow him where he goes awww! Yes squirrels are so precious! Rabbits are so cute too! *You can cook your food on bbq Each cottage have bbq , picnic table etc nice. You can park your car Next to your future cottage! *cottages are awesome!! For example one is Pink one as Green nice size one is purple one is yellow yeah different cottage with different colors Very nice natural walk everywhere on the property there are two large wagons awesome to sleep in! *My friend and I love seeing 2 BURROS. They are so sweet to us we fed them (I diced apples in pieces) throw the core in the wild plants (grass, trees etc) according to Todd the store manager told us. Snacks can be bought from the store to feed two burros. We arrived sat we fed them twice on Saturday we fed them 3 times. Sunday we fed them twice before we left - we sure miss them so much you can just stop by and feed them too. We like our pink cottage. We like to come back again!! Christmas sounds good! Hmm

    I've visited Banner Ranch many times while a friend rented one of the tiny homes, and it has become…read moreone of my favorite nearby places to unplug and reset. Even though I only stayed inside one unit, the property clearly offers several themed rentals, each with its own character and charm. The setting itself is the real highlight -- peaceful, open, and wonderfully quiet. It's the kind of place you go when you need your brain to slow down. I often stopped by just to sit in the sun, walk the grounds, and enjoy the unexpected bonus... real wild turkeys roaming around. Not decorative -- actual turkeys -- which somehow adds perfectly to the rustic atmosphere. There's also an onsite store (with limited hours, so plan ahead) offering food and drinks. Downstairs is a small thrift shop in what used to be an old saloon -- easily one of the most unique parts of the property and fun to browse. The covered wagon accommodations look especially fun and are on my list for a future stay when I want a quiet escape close to home. Banner Ranch isn't flashy -- it's calm, simple, and restorative. If you're looking for peace, sunshine, and a place to decompress, this is a solid choice. If I could take off half a star I would only because of the limited store hours...however, lets be real....I wasn't there to shop.

    Cabin At Strawberry Hill - enchanting!

    Cabin At Strawberry Hill

    (13 reviews)

    $$$

    A complaint has been filed with the US Department of Justice as Nan has openly discriminated…read moreagainst my husband for having to have a hearing service dog and used wildlife specifically deer around the cabin as an excuse to charge us a lot more to stay in the larger "pet friendly" artist loft instead of the smaller 2 person cozy cabin at Strawberry Hill we requested. It's against the ADA requirements- Q. Can hotels assign designated rooms for guests with service animals? A. No. A guest with a disability who uses a service animal must be provided the same opportunity to reserve any available room as other guests without disabilities. They may not be restricted to "pet-friendly" rooms. As for her flimsy excuse about the wildlife even though I assured her we follow the service dog rules of bathing her before trips and keeping her on a close leash. She never has barked EVER. We have never heard her voice! She was trained to not chase or even look at other animals she turns away. She is a well trained service dog from two well know legitimate organizations and is licensed. Even though by law we don't have to show her I offered to show Nan the CA service dog license and her training paperwork and card my husband carries showing who trained her and that she is allowed in ambulances and hospitals too. I explained all the tasks that she does to help my husband with his hearing loss and explained why we wouldn't allow her to ever be close to wildlife for her safety too. All in all Nan went on and on about how she had to close off the cabins before and after the dates because of covid and aerosols and the cost of insurance, the cost of doing business so it appears as if she used the excuse of wildlife and bad past experiences with people lying about pets being service animals to make us pay more by booking the larger pet friendly cabin. I kept saying my husband's service dog is not a pet and she wouldn't listen. 27 minutes on the phone I listened to her discriminate against my husband before asking one more time if since she was insisting we stay in the large pet cabin with the 3 beds we don't need could she at least just charge us the cost of the strawberry cabin since we aren't supposed to be penalized with increased charges because of my husband's disability and she said No. So I finally said well I'm going to report you and hung up. I did double check just in case there was a change in the last few weeks but there wasn't. I called the CA state park in Julian and spoke with the ranger which is the same wildlife, same forest as Nans property and they assured me that service dogs are still allowed in cabins there AND even on trails. He assured me that my husband's service dog would not interfere with the deer under her cabin at all!!! That the people staying in the cabins and even her 6 cats roaming the property could interfere more. Her excuse was a flimsy way to try to extort more money out of us. Maybe someone who was trying to pass a pet off as a service dog would have been fine with this since she does have no pets on her listings BUT a legitimate well trained service dog is NOT a pet and we know the law and we are proud of the amazing job the dog does that is potentially life saving. It's sad we are missing out what appears to be a cute cabin but I'm glad we aren't monetarily supporting disabled discrimination.

    This is truly one of the most amazing cabin stays we have experienced in years. There is…read moreabsolutely nothing offensive about this property, not even a hint. The hosts, Chuck and Nan, live close by, and make themselves available, but are not doting. They have carefully crafted this cabin, a true labor of love, to be enjoyed by guests. Less than ten minutes to town, but you feel like you're out in the country, away from everything. Stellar A+ views, comfortable furnishings, a wood-burning stove as the centerpiece, with all the amenities for cooking, relaxing, and simply embracing the sense of wonder for creation and nature. Unlike any place we've stayed in Julian, where we've been coming for New Years for the past decade. Highly recommend!

    Lake Cuyamaca Lodge - hotels - Updated July 2026

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