Located within 2 miles (3 km) of Cuyamaca Mountain State Wilderness, this vacation home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Santa Ysabel Mission. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a balcony.
Cuyamaca Mountain State Wilderness - 2 min drive - 0.7 miles
Lake Cuyamaca - 5 min drive - 1.7 miles
Santa Ysabel Mission - 5 min drive - 1.7 miles
Cuyamaca Meadow Nature Preserve - 6 min drive - 3.1 miles
California Wolf Center - 11 min drive - 7.2 miles
Getting around
San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field) - 82 min drive
Restaurants
Julian Beer Co. - 17 min drive
Julian Pie Company - 17 min drive
The Pub at Lake Cuyamaca - 8 min drive
Julian Pit Stop - 14 min drive
Purple Owl Café - 17 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego.
Mountaintop escape at Wild Moon Ranch - at 5,400 feet & 2 acres with private hot tub, panoramic views, and a full pickleball court. A gorgeous 1300 sqft cabin, perfect for groups, families, and celebrations, the kind of weekend everyone will be talking about.
Cedar hot tub, basement game room with shuffleboard, air hockey and ping pong, premium mattresses, and Parachute linens.
Sleeps 9. Dogs welcome. 1 hour from San Diego + 3 hours from LA. Peak summer dates book 4-6 weeks ahead.
Salt and Sky Lodging Co. is a boutique property management team based in San Diego. We are responsive, detail-oriented, and available around the clock, from your first question to your checkout morning.
Tranquil Mountain Escape Near Historic Julian
Wild Moon Ranch sits atop a quiet, private ridge line in the Cuyamaca Mountains, just minutes from Lake Cuyamaca and about 15 minutes from the charming gold rush town of Julian. The area is known for sweeping mountain vistas, wildlife sightings, and clear starry skies - it feels worlds away from the city, yet is just over an hour from San Diego.
Here you’ll enjoy:
🏞 Nature at your doorstep — hiking trails, fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching nearby
🍎 Charming Julian — historic Main Street with antique shops, cideries, breweries, and the famous Julian apple pies
🌌 Peaceful, uncrowded surroundings — no traffic, no crowds, just mountain air and stunning views
❄️ Four distinct seasons — wildflowers in spring, sunny summer days, golden autumn leaves, and occasional winter snow
It’s the perfect blend of secluded mountain serenity and small-town charm, ideal for unwinding, exploring, and making memories.
Guests have full and private access to the entire home and property. The neighborhood has a private gated road, so you will feel completely secluded from the moment you arrive. Parking for 5 or more cars in the driveway. No neighbors visible from the property. Detailed check-in instructions and door code are sent prior to your stay. Self check-in, no need to coordinate arrival times.
🛏 Layout & Sleeping Arrangements 1 King Bed 1 Queen Bed 1 Full Bed 1 Twin Bed 1 Queen sofa pull out bed
2-Story Home — Designed for Comfort & Connection
Upper Level
➡️ Open-concept living room with soaring wood-beam ceilings and floor-to-ceiling view windows
➡️ Fully equipped chef’s kitchen with large island and modern appliances
➡️ Full bathroom with bathtub + shower
➡️ Bedroom with king bed
➡️ Incredible views from the deck with BBQ for lounging, dining, and sunset watching
Lower Level
➡️ Bedroom with queen bed
➡️ Bedroom with full bed + twin bed
➡️ Full bathroom with shower/tub
➡️ Game room with queen pull out sofa bed, shuffleboard, air hockey, ping pong, Smart TV, and a popcorn machine stocked with 12 organic seasoning flavors
✨ Outdoor Amenities
Private, Panoramic, and Made for Play
Private pickleball court with beautiful mountain top views
Cedar hot tub with sweeping mountain views
Swing overlooking the peaks — your perfect photo moment
Multiple seating areas to soak in the views, day or night
⚡ Comfort & Convenience
Central heat & air conditioning + wood-burning fireplace
High-speed Starlink WiFi & 2 Smart TVs
Washer & dryer
Parking for 5+ cars
Private gated road in the neighborhood for total peace and privacy
👶 Baby & Toddler Friendly
Traveling with little ones is easy at Wild Moon Ranch. We provide a pack ’n play, high chair, built in star gate and baby dinnerware for your convenience, plus plenty of open outdoor space to roam safely 🌿. The peaceful mountain setting is quiet for nap times 😴, and the cozy living spaces make family time feel effortless.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Stays
Bring your furry family members along — Wild Moon Ranch welcomes well-behaved pets! With plenty of outdoor space to roam 🌲, cozy spots to nap by the fire 🔥, and endless trails nearby for walks 🐾, it’s the perfect mountain escape for both you and your pets. We provide pet bowls, beds and blankets to make your stay easy and stress-free. The 2 acre property is not gated, so please be responsible with your pups and be careful of wildlife like rattlesnakes.
Pet Policy: Up to 2 dogs allowed 🐕 | $150 pet fee per stay | Must be house-trained and supervised.
💛 Why You’ll Love Wild Moon Ranch
Breathtaking Vistas: Views over the lake, golden sunsets over the peaks, and the glow of San Diego on the clearest nights
Entertainment Everywhere: Pickleball, hot tub, game room, and plenty of spaces to gather
Nature Immersion: Deer at sunrise, endless stars at night, and miles of nearby hiking trails
All-Season Escape: Crisp summer nights, golden autumn days, snowy winters, and wildflower springs
🌙 Need More Space for Your Group?
Our sister property Dark Moon Chalet is just 5 minutes down the road - ideal for large gatherings, retreats, or celebrations where two separate homes make the trip. Book both for the ultimate Salt and Sky experience.
Guests have to arrive in a vehicle - no public transportation available in the area. 4WD is not required, during the winter months the road does get plowed, but the road is steep and windy. If there is snow 4WD will be the safest and most likely required.
Eco-Conscious Luxury: Wild Moon Ranch is thoughtfully designed with sustainability in mind. Enjoy organic bath amenities, Parachute linens, Helix mattresses, non-toxic cookware, and eco-friendly cleaning products. Luxury that's good for you and the planet.
Holiday Magic: Every mid November to mid January, Wild Moon Ranch is decorated with a festive Christmas tree and seasonal touches. It's an extra special mountain stay.
🌦 Weather Awareness: Wild Moon Ranch sits at 5,400 feet, where weather can change quickly and that's part of the magic. Come prepared for mountain conditions: appropriate vehicle, layers, and a flexible spirit.
Pickleball Court Note: As a mountain property, winter weather can impact outdoor amenities. In rare winter conditions the court may be snow-covered for a day or two, which means you might wake up to a pickleball court with fresh snow on the peaks behind it. We don't de-ice the surface to protect the court, but it clears naturally and quickly.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a balcony, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Guests can enjoy a Smart TV and stay connected with free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a coffee maker.
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Unit size: 1,274 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
This property welcomes pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children allowed: ages 0-17
Events
Events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 25
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Parties and events are allowed on site.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.
Property is also known as
130d92d2-903a-4296-acf5-aad48274f284
Frequently asked questions
What's there to see near this vacation home?
This vacation home is located in Julian, close to Lake Cuyamaca, Julian Town Hall, and Santa Ysabel Mission. Cuyamaca Mountain State Wilderness is also within a driving distance of 1.5 mi.
Is there parking available at The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego.?
No, there isn't parking at this vacation home.
Is this vacation home associated with a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is a hot tub.
What do couples enjoy most about The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego.?
Amenities that appeal to couples at this lakeside vacation home include a fireplace and a smart TV in each house, and some feature lake view.
Does The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego. have a hot tub?
No, there isn't a spa tub at this vacation home.
Does this vacation home include breakfast service?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Will this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?
Although pets can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.
Does The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego. have connecting rooms available?
No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.
How far is the airport from this vacation home?
The closest major airport to this vacation home is San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field), which is about 25.6 mi away.
Are there rooms with balconies at The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego.?
Yes, every house at The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego. comes with a balcony and some offer lake and mountain views.
The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego. Reviews
Reviews
10
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Amazing views from this beautiful property! Lots of fun activities and loved the cedar hot tub. Would definitely come back a recommended this to others interested in a beautiful and relaxing place in the mountains.
This is a beautiful, mountaintop retreat! We spent a week there and so enjoyed our stay. It had everything you need and more. The Pickleball court was amazing! We enjoyed the arcade room and games that were available. The view from the balcony was stunning. If we are on the area again, I would definitely stay there again!
We absolutely loved our stay at this beautiful, brand-new cabin! Everything smelled fresh and new, the space was spotless, and it had every amenity we could think of. The cozy vibes were perfect for our getaway the beds were super comfy, and even the pillows were great!The spa was incredible and definitely one of our favorite parts of the stay. It was too cold to try the pickleball court this time, but we loved that it was available. The popcorn machine was such a fun touch and made our nights extra cozy.We do wish there was a TV in the bedroom, but honestly, it didn ’t take away from the experience at all. Overall, this was an excellent stay, and we will definitely be back!