Things to do in July 8-15

[CatWarmer]

Thanks RosieSD! We've only lived in San Diego for four years and I still sometimes think like a tourist.

[Cadsuper55]

Which way is best to travel if you want to get to the mountains and Julian but not drive on them or the least amount of cliffs possible? I have a friend coming that wants to go to Julian with their family but don't like drop offs

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Cadsuper55

Which way is best to travel if you want to get to the mountains and Julian but not drive on them or the least amount of cliffs possible? I have a friend coming that wants to go to Julian with their family but don't like drop offs

Where are your friends going to be staying while in town?

Are they OK with windy roads?

[Cadsuper55]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Where are your friends going to be staying while in town?

Are they OK with windy roads?

Windy roads are fine and they'll be staying in North Park

[cruitr]

Since I'm a sports car enthusiast, I drive thru Julian a lot. Last weekend, my wife and I and 30 of our closest friends took a 200 mile cruise thru the Anza-Borrego Desert looking for wildflowers. We saw lots of wildflowers.

Our cruise leader took us on some of the twistiest, cliff-hanging roads we've ever been on. But that's what we like to do and he knows that area very well.

I've included a map link. The northern route thru Ramona is probably the easiest route you'll find to Julian. It's so boring, I haven't gone that way in years.

A couple of things:
1. Dudley's Bakery (a landmark in the area) is a great place for a pitstop. Clean bathrooms and great pastry. Dudley's is at the intersection of 78 and 79.
2. Watch out for bicyclists. Our US Olympic Team trains in those mountains and sometimes they ride side-by-side around the turns.
3. If you want a little more exciting ride home, take the southern route home thru Descanso. Lake Cuyamaca is a good pitstop. There's a place called Lake Cuyamaca Restaurant and Store. It's not much to look at but it does have clean bathrooms and lots of snacks. If you time it right, this route will give you a great sunset view with the sun crashing into the distant Pacific Ocean.
4. For a great buffet dinner on the way home, stop at Viejas Casino & Resort. Viejas is just east of Alpine. That place has gotten so big you'll think you're in Las Vegas.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Juli...398671!3e0!5i1

[RosieSD]

Cruitr is absolutely right!

I might, however, be more inclined to send them on 8 to the 79 exit (Descanso) and go towards Julian that way instead of via Ramona. There's only a tiny little section just before Stonewall Peak where the road curves that might seem a little bit like an overlook, but it literally takes 30 seconds to drive by, and the rest of the road, while curvy in spots, isn't going to be a problem, and is fairly scenic. Going uphill you'll barely have time to notice this spot before you're back on flat land again.

If they go to Julian through Ramona, have them take the Poway Road exit of of the 15, instead of going on 67 through Lakeside, which definitely has some drop offs and is pretty nerve wracking due to traffic. By going through Poway, they'll still pass a very short stretch that might make them nervous, especially through the boulders outside of Ramona, but it isn't exactly "cliffs and drop offs" and you're through it quickly. The rest of the road (78 to 79 to Julian) is a breeze, although it is pretty curvy.

Even better, have them take the 79/Lake Cuyamaca Route to Julian and then return via the Ramona Route through Poway Road for the least amount of panic.

I'd tell them to avoid the amazing Sunrise Highway. Although most of it is probably fine, the part closest to the 8 has the most chance of inducing fear in people afraid of heights. It's a shame to miss the rest of the route though; it's my favorite mountain drive because of the diversity of the scenery and the lack of traffic/crowds for most of it.

[cruitr]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

I'd tell them to avoid the amazing Sunrise Highway. Although most of it is probably fine, the part closest to the 8 has the most chance of inducing fear in people afraid of heights. It's a shame to miss the rest of the route though; it's my favorite mountain drive because of the diversity of the scenery and the lack of traffic/crowds for most of it.

Sunrise Highway is great in the non-snowy months. Nice views of Mt Laguna but lots of cliff-hanging segments.

Personally, I try to stay off of I-8. My cars are so low to the ground that I'm afraid I'll get sucked under one of the bazillian 18-wheelers.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by cruitr

.

Personally, I try to stay off of I-8. My cars are so low to the ground that I'm afraid I'll get sucked under one of the bazillian 18-wheelers.

Once, I was driving down the Mountain Springs grade after Jacumba, hemmed in by a couple of semis on my right, with the wind blowing everyone around like crazy. I came around a blind curve and suddenly three big horn sheep were standing smack in my lane directly in front of me.

Now THAT was some fancy driving.

Still, driving the 8 doesn't bother me much, until I get to just before the 5 split in Mission Valley. That makes big horn sheep on the freeway look easy-peasy by comparison.