A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade and game room.
Unmatched views, unforgettable moments
Guests like the location for the scenic views.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 9
Popular amenities
Spa pool on site
Onsite parking available
Pet-friendly
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air-conditioning
Explore the area
Julian, CA
Cuyamaca Mountain State Wilderness
Place, Cuyamaca Mountain State Wilderness
2 min drive
Lake Cuyamaca
Place, Lake Cuyamaca
5 min drive
Santa Ysabel Mission
Place, Santa Ysabel Mission
5 min drive
San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field)
Airport, San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field)
61 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed
Living room 1
1 Double Sofa Bed
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Bathroom 2
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Dining area
About this property
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 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.
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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 that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Julian
Located in Julian, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Julian Town Hall and Julian Historical Society are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve and Lake Cuyamaca. Travelling with kids? Consider California Wolf Center, or check out an event or a game at Barona Speedway. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails.
Cuyamaca Mountain State Wilderness - 2 min drive - 1.2 km
Lake Cuyamaca - 5 min drive - 2.6 km
Santa Ysabel Mission - 5 min drive - 2.6 km
Cuyamaca Meadow Nature Preserve - 6 min drive - 4.9 km
California Wolf Center - 11 min drive - 11.6 km
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
Mom's Pie House - 17 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego. pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego.?
As of 15 July 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego. on 14 September 2026 start from NZ$2,672, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The only mountaintop pickleball ranch in Southern California. 1 hour from San Diego. located?
This family-friendly Julian holiday home is located on a lake, within 3 mi (5 km) of Santa Ysabel Mission and Lake Cuyamaca. California Wolf Center and Julian Historical Society are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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!
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.
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!
Joanne C.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
YadiraL
3 July 2026
Wonderful
We had an awesome time in the cabin! Beautiful views and so much silence😌. Loved it!
YadiraL
About the host
Hosted by Aubrey Carlson
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests