This place fills up fast but we booked several months out and were able to choose our campsites…read morebased on proximity to the dumpsters, bathrooms, and even based on whether the sites had shade. We reserved campsites 89 and 90. Campsites were about $37 per night, after the reservation fee, and could fit a maximum of eight people in two tents. Several of us had car set-ups and when we called the reservation office, they confirmed that sleeping in the car wouldn't count towards the two tent limit. Each site also has two dedicated parking spots. If you have additional cars, it'll be $6 per car/night and there's overflow parking scattered around the campground. Quiet hours start at 10PM and all campfires must be out (no embers) by 11PM. The bathrooms were fine, considering this was a campground. Showers are coin-operated and you can get 4 minutes for 50 cents. Make sure to exchange your cash at the ranger station before the sun sets! From my friend group, I heard mixed reviews on the showers. It seemed like the girl's side had poor water pressure and usually was cold. But both times I showered, I had decent pressure and the water eventually turned warm. There's also potable water throughout the campground, with a specific spout with filtered water (for taste). Our campsites were pretty great especially site 90. It's flat and right under a huge tree so it was the perfect spot to hang out and escape the sun. For tents, the ground was kind of rocky so make sure to bring a pad or air mattress if you can. Each site comes with a table and a fire pit. For firewood, you have to purchase from the campground because they don't want you to accidentally introduce any invasive species. Overall, great campsite with decent bathrooms! We didn't get a chance to explore the campground and the trails around it so I would love to come back one day. Oh and dogs are allowed as long as they're on a leash!

First time at this campground! It's been a while since I've been camping, but this campground seems…read moreto be much nicer compared to what I remember from campgrounds I've been to in the past. The bathrooms were clean and fully stocked with toilet paper and free tampons on the women's side. There were 2 men's and 2 women's showers at the bathroom closest to our site. One of the women's showers didn't have the best water pressure and sprayed more of a mist...but the other was fine. Neither appeared to have warm water, but it wasn't freezing either, so it was bearable. We heard the men's showers did have warm water though. Showers were 50 cents for 4 minutes, and then you could add additional quarters to add on 2 minutes each. There were spigots and bottle refill stations too near the campsites. I'd probably avoid the sites right next to the restrooms unless you want to hear toilets flushing, the loud hand dryer, and foot traffic throughout the night.  There were plenty of trees so most of the campsites around us at least had at least some shade during the daytime. The only issue I really noticed was that some campgrounds were pretty close together so you will probably hear noise from neighboring sites. There was plenty of parking too, but these were also close to the sites, so one night we heard the sound of cars constantly locking throughout the night. Not the biggest issue though and you should probably bring earplugs while camping if you're a light sleeper. Overall, these campgrounds are nicer than a lot of other ones I've been there where you have to drive into town to shower. The tradeoff though is that with the nicer facilities and proximity to neighboring sites, it doesn't feel as remote and sort of feels like you're one step away from civilization. So maybe not the best place to camp if you're looking for a more true camping experience.

Very friendly ' helpful on the phone for reservations. I explained we and our friends who were also…read morereserving a site) are seniors and wanted shady spots in a more quiet area of the campground. They recommended a couple of spots away from the highway and the pond (due to kid action at the pond). The spots were just gorgeous, big & clean & lots of beautiful shady trees & backing up to the woods. Had a great time & will go back.

This campground is GORGEOUS!! Definitely a hidden gem. I almost want to keep it a secret. The…read morereservation process was easy, i was shocked to get a last min reservation for Labor Day wknd. the ladies in the office are so pleasant and helpful. Prices are super reasonable & i hope and pray they stay this way. We were so impressed with the beautiful grounds. Very clean, peaceful. We can't wait to come back! Julian lil town is about 5-10 min drive away. One side note is make sure you pack everything because there isn't a grocery store anywhere close by.

This was the best experience ever! I love camping but my husband does not so having a true camping…read moreexperience without all of the set up and breakdown was incredible. The setup was perfect. Alter experience had everything we needed. We were comfortable in the tents. I can't wait to go back already. Shantel the host was so responsive and thorough not to mention very sweet. It was the best experience ever.

We had an amazing glamping experience and would definitely stay here again! Shantel was incredibly…read morefriendly and helpful. She met us on our first day, made sure we were settled in, and checked that we had everything we needed throughout our stay. The setup was in great condition, and the campsite itself was so much fun. We especially loved the hammock, all the shade, and how well-stocked everything was. They truly provided just about everything you could need except food and clothing, which made packing and camping so much easier. There was plenty to do around the campground, and we had a fantastic time exploring and relaxing. The only downsides were that a couple of the campground showers were closed and the bathrooms were a bit of a walk from the site. We were also a little disappointed that the zipper on the tree tent was broken, so we couldn't sleep in it. However, that didn't stop us from enjoying it during the day, and it certainly didn't take away from the overall experience. Overall, this was a wonderful glamping getaway, and we can't wait to come back!

Every visit is peaceful and worth the drive. The staff at K.Q. ranch are kind and helpful and the…read moreladies at check in are always friendly.

Most of the people I encountered at KQ Ranch were wonderful. The majority of the staff genuinely…read moreseemed to care about ensuring guests had a positive experience. My negative experience stemmed from an interaction with the sales department. After purchasing my rig, I had been offered complimentary nights at the ranch. I wanted to stay one additional night beyond that offer and left a voicemail for the sales department asking whether I could pay for an extra night. The following morning, I received a voicemail informing me that they do not extend stays for guests who are there under a sales promotion. While that answer would have been perfectly acceptable, the tone of the message was unnecessarily harsh and could have been delivered much more professionally. When I later spoke with other staff members, I learned that this individual has a reputation for being unkind. That was disappointing because it contrasted sharply with the attitude of nearly everyone else I met at the ranch. Unfortunately, it left me with the impression that, within the sales department, closing deals and earning commissions may take priority over customer service. Having worked in sales myself, I understand the importance of commissions. I also understand that prospective customers are free to decide whether a product is right for them. Ultimately, I chose not to purchase a membership at KQ Ranch. During the sales presentation, the salesperson made several unnecessary negative remarks about competitors, which I found unprofessional. In addition, the only option presented was a lifetime membership, which did not fit my circumstances. I am currently living the van-life lifestyle on a temporary basis and explained my travel plans in detail. However, despite our conversation, the salesperson seemed more focused on following a script than understanding my needs. Within minutes, it became apparent that he had not retained basic information about me, my vehicle, or my travel goals. For example, I specifically mentioned that I do not enjoy hot climates, yet he repeatedly emphasized that several of their locations are in desert areas. That was not a compelling selling point for me and suggested that he was not listening carefully to what I had shared. Outside of the sales experience, I enjoyed many aspects of the ranch. The facilities were well maintained, the store carried useful items, and the laundry facilities were convenient. Overall, the property itself was quite good. The reason I will not return is the customer service I received from the sales department. Before making my request for an additional night, three different staff members kindly helped me determine who to contact. Each of them indicated that asking about an extension would likely not be a problem and wished me well during my stay. Their friendliness made the voicemail I later received feel even more out of place. I also spoke with another guest whose trailer had bats enter it during their stay. They were directed to the same sales representative for assistance but felt they received little support. Instead of using the complimentary night included with their membership, they chose to leave and spend the night in Julian. Experiences like these suggest that the sales department's approach to customer service leaves much to be desired. There is only so much discourteous behavior I am willing to overlook from a sales team. It is unfortunate because the actions of a few individuals can influence whether guests choose to return, despite the efforts of many hardworking staff members who clearly care about the guest experience. One point emphasized during my sales presentation was that competing organizations have locations that are not well maintained. Based on what I observed, however, I found some areas of KQ Ranch's own RV storage facilities to appear less polished than the image of exclusivity and prestige that was being presented. Overall, KQ Ranch has many positive qualities and many excellent employees. Unfortunately, my interactions with the sales department overshadowed those positives and ultimately influenced my decision not to return.

We rented their Spartan Mansion vintage trailer for 2 nights in July. The trailer was really cute…read moreand decorated in a Hawaiian theme. Very clean. Full size fridge with freezer though lacking ice cube trays. They provided charcoal and fire wood which I did not expect and was a nice surprise. Very quite and peaceful while we were there (Wednesday-Thursday). The community room was retro decorated and the bathrooms were very clean. My only complaint about the pool was the temp of the water. It did not seem heated even though they advertised as a heated pool.

This review is in regards to the vintage trailers. Pinecrest is a beautiful location, and the…read morevintage trailers have a lot of potential. We stayed in September and it definitely was very hot. I wish that all of the trailers had AC. I was disappointed to learn that the trailers don't lock from the outside. They tell you to keep your valuables in your car. A. This is inconvenient, B. I am not sure if the spartan locked from the inside either. I feel like the locks are something that they should definitely invest in fixing. The spartan also has a very small water heater. I think that they told us 2 gallons when we called. I couldn't even get through a shower without it running out. We called because we thought maybe it could be fixed but they let us know the water heater is small but they have public showers available. Since it was hot I toughed it out. My brother stayed in the mansion and it had a bad smell in it. It bothered his girlfriend a lot. They did have AC and their hot water was fine. Their trailer also did not lock from the outside. The trailers are cute, and we liked the vintage decor but they need some work done. I feel like their trailers have a lot of potential if they would just invest in them a bit. My husband and I stayed at another location that had vintage trailers. They were definitely nicer. AC, hot water, new linoleum, locks and keys, and did not have a bad smell. I hope that pinecrest can improve their vintage trailers. I think that if they improved them they would have a lot more return business.

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.

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.

Just finishing up a women's retreat here at Whispering Winds. It has been a lovely, blessed…read moreweekend. Friendly faces and warm smiles from the time I checked in. My friend and I had a cozy cabin, great meals, so many opportunities for recreation! We even went on the zip line!! We had an inspiring speaker, and opportunities for socializing. I will leave with a full heart!

Been going to camp in Julian since 2016 for different groups and love the food and amenitiesread more

Whenever we travel, we try to do a trail ride. As more experienced horse people, we've found that…read moreit can be hard to find tourist trail rides that are for fun for people who already know how to ride. After a lot of research I picked Integrity Stables and I'm so glad I did! Horses are well loved and cared for, the ride was very private (just us and our guide), the scenes were beautiful, and our trail guide (I'm blanking on his name he was young--maybe it was Luke?) was super knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Would recommend to anyone (experienced horse person or not) and definitely plan on going back next time I'm in San Diego! While it is a little drive from San Diego (45 min - 1hr), the little town of Julian was the perfect place for us to stop afterwards for lunch before we made the drive back!

The experience was great from the scheduling of a ride to the end with pictures taken and feeding…read moreof the horses. The guide Colt was the nicest person with a great sense of humor and customer service. He explained everything about the horses, taught the basics of riding, gave the history of the gold mines on the property and the mountain toll roads taken by the horses. All around it was great. Tess the horse was so gentle and gave a ride never to forget. Thank you all at Integrity Stables we look forward to coming back soon. Blessings to you, your family and all your beautiful horses that you care for so much.

Absolutely amazing experience for adults and kids alike! Went with my little one and husband for a…read morest. Patrick day event! It was above and beyond what I expected and we enjoyed every minute of it! St. Patrick was a highlight for my son and husband who enjoyed his spot on Irish accent very much! The scavenger hunt was sweet and well thought out with very fun prizes at the end! Everyone made new friends, the petting zoo was great too! I made friends with one of the brand new goat babies they're very sweet and tiny! My husband held a couple snakes and my little guy had fun watching the tortoises eat! If your family want to have a great time I highly recommend visiting fort cross! Incredible Photo ops everywhere! Did I mention paint ball slingshot , tomahawk throwing and archery ? Well done and family fun great for bonding! We loved the very welcoming and compassionate owners! We are already planning our next visit back!

If you are looking around Julian for an activity outside of shopping, eating and apple picking; I…read morewould recommend Fort Cross Adventures. This family owned and built setup gives an old timey backyard feel with games ranging from treasure hunt, archery, ax throwing to a large garden/nursery. Like a large backyard it is all dirt paths with over grown trees & bushes so i would not come in high heels or nice shoes. The garden area is an "instagram" worthy spot for influencer photos as it is decorated with vintage photo frames, art, pottery giving it a rustic yet artsy feel. Pictures on yelp do the venue more justice than the companies website or TripAdvisor. Dates and hours are limited, as the family runs all aspects of Fort Cross. Highly recommend confirming they are open before just heading out. My one reservation or word of caution is with the archery. There are no forearm guards or finger protection offered. The bowstring with repetitive can possibly hurt your skin and cause of injuries.