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Suggested November 1999 by Jerry Hughes
"I love the whole area around Julian and would like to make a suggestion of a beautiful, approximately two hour drive beginning and ending in Julian. It is the loop that would take you south from Julian Highway 79 through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. The park headquarters has a great, free museum and store in which to get a good description about the native Americans, the plants and the animals who lived in the area.
Going south on 79 again takes you to the first stop sign which is located out of the park. I'm not sure of the name of this cross road at that stop sign but it is the one that leads south (right) to Freeway 8 (Japatul Rd.) or left through Guatay adn picturesque Pine Valley. Turning left here, and just on the other side of Pine Valley leads to the Sunrise Highway (S-1). Turning left here and traveling up in elevation takes you into more beautiful scenery. In the tiny community of Laguna, the Blue Jay Lodge and restaurant is a great place to sit on huge, split pine logs and have a bite to eat while viewing all sorts of collectibles from days long past, hanging on the walls, etc. (The last time I checked, the lodge was only opened Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
I think it is the second road to the right after leaving the Blue Jay Lodge that takes you 1/4 mile up to the old Air Force installation for a breathtaking, one mile view down to the desert floor and the Salton Sea! And incidentally, about one or two hundred feet after turning on to that side road you pass a walking path that crosses the road. This is the 2600+ mile long Pacific Crest Hiking Trail that stretches all the way from Mexico to Canada!
After driving back down from the Air Force installation area and continuing on the Sunrise Highway again, there are many turnouts along the road that have great views of the desert below and some noted historical sites you can stop and read about.
When you reach the first stop sign which is the end of the Sunrise Highway, turning right on Highway 79 takes you back into Julian.
I think many visitors to the area would enjoy this ride through some of the most beautiful natural scenery San Diego county has to offer."