Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful Relaxing Weekend!

Guest: Nita (San Diego)
Date of Stay: 04/27/12 Review Submitted: 04/29/12

What an experience....beautiful trees, flowers, birds, quiet, and peace. It could have been better, if we would have had time to stay for 2 weeks :-) The place was nicer than the photos. If you are looking for a nice relaxing getaway in a place that is clean, cozy, romantic and well maintained, this is the place for you. Nada, the owner, was so helpful with all of the details...she is quite a nice person to work with. The hike that she recommends has a fantastic view. I would highly recommend this lovely vacation spot!

Owner response:Thank you for submitting your review, which clearly reflects the lovely qualities of this comfortable vacation home and property. Our large, wooded lot attracts many migrating and local birds. Our country setting is wonderful for taking walks and bicycling. This is a true vacation spot, beautiful and relaxing!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great house in a great neighborhood

Guest: JasonC (San Diego, Ca)
Date of Stay: 03/23/12 Review Submitted: 03/26/12

Our stay was great. Lots of room for our dog to run and the house itself was quaint and nice. Only draw back was it was too far to walk to town with ease (approx 2 miles), but if thats the only downside, ill take it. Over all great weekend.

Owner response:Dear Jason, Thank you for taking the time to post your positive comments about Cathleen's Country Cottage. Our cottage is in a lovely, residential neighborhood that is two miles from Julian's historic town. The quiet country roads and wooded area make for lovely walks and bicycle rides. I look forward to your possible stay in the future, Nada Cathleen, owner

Recommended for:Families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Wonderful weekend

Guest: Smile Treasurer (San Diego, CA/Southwest USA)
Date of Stay: 03/09/12 Review Submitted: 03/12/12

Thank you so much for our weekend stay at your cottage! That is a really wonderful place to be and we enjoyed it very much! It's a pretty and comfortable cottage. It feels relaxing and pleasant just to be in it. It's roomy enough that we thought it would be lots of fun to go again with several friends and make use of the extra beds, refrigerator, stove, cupboards, closets, dishes, etc., for a weekend party, or a weeklong family reunion. But, it isn't too big for two and feels very cozy and friendly! The many lace curtained windows, provide soft, cheery, tree filtered light, the warm tones of the beautiful wood floors and the little touches, add to the charm of the cottage. It's been nicely cared for and is in good repair for a 1924 cottage, and is so tidy and clean! Incidentally, because your cottage was built in 1924, we enjoyed discovering other buildings from 1924, in the town, and got more interested in the local history. We felt more like we were part of Julian after just a weekend, and have an increased desire to help maintain the historic buildings, open spaces and simple, country charm of the place. The rocking chairs and fire in the front room of the cottage were greatly enjoyed, and we appreciated the many heaters that kept the temperature just right on the cold mights we were having that week. With the birds softly singing, and the weather so sunny and pleasant in the morning, we were able to enjoy the porch for breakfast. Around midday, the porch was the perfect place to share a relaxing afternoon, which we extended into a deep sleep siesta in that comfortable bed in the bedroom. We've been to the nearby observatories, so we already knew the sky's reputation for exceptional clarity, without much glare from the city lights, so we knew we'd be in for a treat when it came to star watching. As hoped, the nights were clear of clouds and the stars were plentiful and beautiful. Sitting on the porch watching them in that fresh air and the friendly quietness of the sparsely populated area, was uplifting and fun. We even had a few shooting stars!

Owner response:Thank you for your review of Cathleen' Country Cottage, which reflects the lovely, historic charm of this cottage and Julian's historic area. We are surrounded by much natural beauty which our guests find refreshing and relaxing. We look forward to your return stay in the future. Nada Cathleen Grigsby, owner

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Cottage!

Guest: Adam (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/02/11 Review Submitted: 12/05/11

This is a very cute cottage just minutes from downtown Julian. The large, fenced in yard was perfect for our two dogs, in fact, I don't think they wanted to leave. It was exactly what we were looking for and will definitely be returning.

Owner response:Cathleen's Country Cottage is a wonderful cottage for guests and their pet dogs. It is comfortable, clean, and within two miles of Julian's historic town. The house is situated on a very wooded, residential property, with many trees providing beauty and privacy. Adam, you have been wonderful guests, and I look forward to your return stay at Cathleen's Country Cottage.

Recommended for:Pet owners, romantic getaway.

Outstanding experience

Guest: margo
Date of Stay: 08/26/11 Review Submitted: 08/30/11

This cottage is a near perfect getaway for a couple or two, with or without kids. Hardwood floors, comfy bed, fully equipped kitchen and two living room futons, there's plenty of room. Heaters galore for winter and A/C and fans for the hottest of summer days. But for those who care - it's a dogs' delight. Fully fenced yard, loads of room to romp and they can come with you or stay behind.What a joy!

Owner response:Cathleen's Country Cottage provides an ideal getaway for families with pets. Our vacation home is very comfortable, clean, and in an excellent Julian location. Pets may stay inside the cottage with their owners. Our large, fenced areas at the back of this wooded property provide great exercise areas for dogs.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

EXCELLENT PLACE TO STAY

Guest: Henri (Yuma, Az)
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 07/05/11

We stayed at Cathleen's Country Cottage for a week and absolutely loved it. We have a small dog that was able to enjoy the enclosed fenced yard with plenty of room to run and play. Nada was excellent to deal with and made sure our stay was comfortable. It was very nice having the deck to enjoy the beautiful weather and took advantage of the bbq every evening. We definitely look forward to staying here again.

Owner response:Thank you so much for your review! Cathleen's Country Cottage is a beautiful place to stay for a vacation get-away! We look forward to your return stay. --Nada Cathleen, owner

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

My husband and I stayed with our two dogs in May of 2011.............

Guest: Dog Mom (Costa Mesa, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/12/11 Review Submitted: 05/15/11

Our stay at Cathleen's Country Cottage for two nights in May was absolutely fantastic. The cottage is extremely clean and had all of the comforts of home. We did sightseeing during the day, with our dogs, and then at night we bar-b-qued on the porch while the dogs ran around the enclosed yard......just perfect! Nada is very helpful and had Julian information waiting for us when we arrived at the cottage. I highly recommend renting Cathleen's Country Cottage!!!! Thank you Nada :-)

Owner response:Cathleen's Country Cottage is very comfortable, clean, and conveniently close to the historic Julian township.. Our cottage has an old-fashioned charm that reflects the beauty of the Julian area. Thank you for your review! Nada Cathleen

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Cozy Clean Cottage was Perfect!

Guest: Jen (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/08/11 Review Submitted: 04/15/11

Four adults stayed very comfortably at the cottage. It was clean and had everything we needed for a weekend of rest and relaxation - plenty of blankets, pillows, cooking ware, etc. It's a quiet area just a short bike ride away from Julian or just a short drive to hiking or wine-tasting. Nada was pleasant and accommodating and I received my deposit back within a week. Overall it was a great stay and we would return gladly.

Owner response:Dear Jen, Thank you for your accurate description of Cathleen's Country Cottage. This comfortable cottage is in an excellent location, just outside of town and close to Julian's many attractions. The beautifully-wooded property gives a great sense of privacy. There is really a sense of living in the woode! Looking forward to the possibility of your return stay, Nada Cathleen Grigsby, owner

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Lovely Weekend Retreat

Guest: Anne (Marina Del Rey, CA)
Date of Stay: 02/11/11 Review Submitted: 02/17/11

We enjoyed our stay at Cathleen's Country Cottage. Our family includes four little kids and a dog all of whom felt truly at home here. The cottage was neat, clean, and inviting with none of the irritating knick knacks that children so easily break in some cottages. Our dog particularly enjoyed the fully enclosed outside yard. jA short drive down the road to downtown Julian. Not far from Lake Cuyamaca and hiking trails. And yes...the neighbors are very friendly.

Owner response:Cathleen's Country Cottage is comfortable, clean, and located very close to Julian's historic town. It is an enjoyable getaway for people and their pets!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, pet owners.

Perfect get-away

Guest: KK's mom (Long Beach, ca)
Date of Stay: 10/25/10 Review Submitted: 11/08/11

My husband and I had a wonderful stay at Cathleen's Cottage. We live in LA County so Julian is a perfect get-away destination to enjoy a slow-down lifestyle! We stayed at Cathleen's Cottage in 2009 and had a great time so decided to go back in October of this year. For us this is the perfect time, leaves are turning, the weather is brisk for long hikes in the outdoors or strolling in town. Having a comfortable fire to enjoy when we get home to "our" cottage for the week is so nice. Did I mention that this is our labrador retriever's favorite place to stay? The cottage is "dog proof" - no fancy nik-naks sitting around that happy tails can knock over! We can relax here knowing that we can have our favorite travelling partner with us. The cottage has a nice size bedroom and bathroom. The kitchen is equipped with most utensils & dishes you may need, although I usually take a few of my favorite tools and spices as I love to cook - yup, even on vacation. Great fenced area on proprety for dog to run. Neighborhood great for strolling or walking your dog. The house is surrounded by quite a lot of trees and ivy and it has that wild overgrown look and no grass to speak of. Town is a short drive away. Driving excursions are great in this area, we found a scenic reserve in farm country to hike. The winieries are wonderful. If you are looking for very relaxed atmosphere and a place to share with your favorite pet this just might be it. Thanks Nada - we will be back!

Owner response:Thank you for writing a beautiful review that reflects the natural beauty of the property. Cathleen's Country Cottage is perfect for dog owners, since all family members can relax and enjoy this lovely vacation home.

Recommended for:Pet owners

A Most Pleasant Weekend

Guest: Al and Mary (Laguna Hills, CA)
Date of Stay: 10/15/10 Review Submitted: 10/22/10

We recently spent a weekend at Cathleen's Country Cottage and had a most enjoyable stay. The cottage was clean, well-equipped, and located in a quiet country setting. Cathleen made it a point to call and verify our arrival and to ask if there was anything we needed. Because she had left informational materials for us, we were able to plan an enjoyable weekend and did not lack for anything. Thank you for helping us to create a memory that will endure for years. We and two of our grandchildren had a comfortable and pleasant stay.

Owner response:Cathleen's Country Cottage provides a quiet, country retreat...a perfect place to unwind. The cottage is situated on a property with many beautiful trees. We are in a wooded, residential neighborhood that is great for walking and bicycling. We do our best to provide our guests with literature on the Julian area, and help them make their stay very comfortable and enjoyable.

Recommended for:Age 55+, pet owners, sightseeing.

Clean, charming, pet-friendly cottage!

Guest: Bree (Yuma, AZ)
Date of Stay: 09/24/10 Review Submitted: 09/29/10

We had much needed, wonderfully relaxing time at Cathleen's Country Cottage. The friendly owner was there to greet us and explain the property features, and then we had the property to ourselves for the weekend. The cottage is extremely well cared for – the website images really don’t do it justice. The mix of tile and wood floors are beautiful, and the decor is tasteful and subdued. The entire property is fenced and shaded, which provided ample playing space for our pooches. The properties in this quiet neighborhood are heavily wooded, and this creates a wonderful sense of privacy. As the owners of two large, loveable hounds, we have stayed at many pet-friendly accomodations. We've grown accustomed to less-than-clean, shabby furnishings. What a surprise to find a lovely, immaculate cottage waiting for us! And how convenient -- less a than five minute drive to Main Street. Thank you for a wonderful experience!

Owner response:Thank you for your clear description of this beautiful property!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Family Fun

Guest: Christina (Coral Springs, FL)
Date of Stay: 06/09/10 Review Submitted: 07/01/10

Cathleen's Cottage was cute, roomy, and clean with plenty of fresh linens. The kitchen had enough accomodations to cook for a small army. It was very convenient to have internet access to email friends and family the pictures we took. Mobile service is hit or miss, but we enjoyed being able to disconnect to reconnect with our family. My boys (ages 13 & 6) got to explore outside and discover native plants and wildlife. They liked the wild turkey that roam around early in the morning and the deer in the evening. My husband and I loved the scenery as we drove through the mountains which took us a little longer to get to the San Diego Zoo and Legoland, but it was so worth it. We spent a day fishing and hiking at Lake Cuymaca. I recommend that you pack a lunch, and go earlier in the morning when the fish are biting and there are plenty of rental boats available. We used mini-marshmallows and extra fat nightcrawlers, and caught enough trout for dinner. Don't forget the sunscreen even on a chilly day. The town of Julian was so much fun with lots of history, friendly people, and unique shops. Be sure to try the apple pie... it's the best! Nada was a great host. She checked in often to see if we needed anything, and was available if we had any questions. We'll definately be back soon!

Owner response:Dear Christina, Thank you for reviewing Julian's wonderful town and surrounding area. Julian residents are very welcoming and friendly to visitors. Our town has a true, old-fashioned, small town charm that inspires visitors to return for future stays. There are indeed many wildlife viewing opportunities in the Julian area and Cuyamaca Mountains, which attract many photographers and artists. Mountain terrain can sometimes affect mobile phone service, which is why we provide free long distance land-line phone service within the U.S.A. at the cottage. --Nada Cathleen

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Peaceful weekend getaway

Guest: Loreli (Chula Vista, CA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10 Review Submitted: 06/15/10

This cottage is lovely and tranquil. A great place to decompress for the weekend. The stargazing is awesome and its not far from the cozy town of Julian. I had fun just hanging out, reading my book and birdwatching. Nada our hostess was very accomodating and flexible and a very nice and friendly person! We brought our dog Cali and she loved all the space to play and sunbathe in. I love how Nada makes her cottage pet friendly! Nada has all the supplies you would need for your stay, too which helped us out a great deal. The pictures you see are accurate; this cottage is very cozy and comfortable and the new a/c is a bonus! I look forward to coming back here, definitely would like to see this place in a snowy setting. Enjoy!!!

Owner response:Cathleen's Country Cottage is a wonderful, relaxing place to stay during each of Julian's beautiful four seasons. We strive to make our lovely cottage comfortable for our guests and their pets!

Recommended for:Girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Good for a short stay

Guest: Pink Cloud (Vista)
Date of Stay: 05/14/10 Review Submitted: 05/21/10

This older construction property is situated in a very friendly neighborhood where trees cover newly paved roads close to town. The interior cottage is clean, plenty of linens, a very comfortable bed, though the kitchen is a bit small for those who enjoy cooking. Bring your own favorite kitchen gear. The weekend I stayed the entire yard was quite overgrown and under maintained, many tall fox tail weeds were in the yard and vines taking over part of the porch. It was perfect for a getaway weekend. I will stay again if the yard is trimmed up. Across the street there are children who play outdoors in their own yard, how refreshing. Nada the owner was friendly, professional, and effecient.

Owner response:Our lovely cottage has a comfortable, well-equipped kitchen with two sets of pots and pans, and dishware for up to eight people. Our country property is very lush and beautiful, with mature trees that include oak, pine, cedar, apple, walnut, peach and pear trees. This year Mother Nature sent us El Nino, with plentiful rain. We now have many wild flowers, and show respect to preserve these natural beauties when we do our periodic weeding. This coming week, I have arranged for weeders to selectively weed the property, taking care to preserve our precious indigenous wild flowers.

Recommended for:Families with young children

wonderful experience

Guest: brooklynmarie (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/16/10 Review Submitted: 04/30/10

I was up here for the first time a couple of weeks ago. The owner is wonderful and patient, the property beautiful and clean, and the neighbors quiet but friendly. I felt completely welcomed and at home in this sunny little place. My dog loved it and so did I! It was exactly what we both needed. I'll definitely be coming back to this cottage.

Owner response:Dear Brooke, Both you and your dog have been wonderful guests! I look forward to your return to Cathleen's Country Cottage! Best Wishes to you, Nada Cathleen

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

NICE GETAWAY

Guest: ClayLeslie (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 03/07/10 Review Submitted: 04/26/10

Pretty nice place, quiet shady with friendly neighbors. Comfortable bedroom, I loved the 2 rocking chairs. XLarge living room, plenty of space for a family. I sure would not want to sleep on the covertable beds for long though. If you bring a pet check the fence closely; it is old and in need of some repair. Kids will like all the satellite channels, too bad it is all hooked up to a very small TV. I'd recommend any of the adults to try the hard cider made locally.

Owner response:Owner Response to Review 753772 "Nice Getaway": The futon matresses in the livingroom are eight inches deep. The large, secure dog kennel area is protected with six foot high chain link fencing that is in very good condition. There is wood fencing in another area of the yard that is not the dog kennel area; this fence is leaning slightly, but does not affect pet security. The television has a 25-27 inch screen.

Recommended for:Age 55+

Guest: Josie Garza (Vista, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/12/10 Review Submitted: 01/12/10

It was absolutely precious. Much more than I expected. Lots of space, great for the dogs.The most friendly neighbors, everyone waves as you pass or drive by. This cottage and it's location you didn't even need a list a of things to do. I wanted to stay in all the days, it was so beautiful. Nada is wonderful, so many personal touches in the cottage you feel right at home.

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Guest: R Kincaid (San Diego)
Date of Stay: 10/19/09 Review Submitted: 10/19/09

Cathleen’s Country Cottage:Cozy,kid friendly and dog friendly too!We'll be back.R Kincaid San Diego

Recommended for:

Guest: V.R. (-)
Date of Stay: 05/31/09 Review Submitted: 05/31/09

What a wonderful stay! The place was clean, the linens fresh, the mountain air smelled wonderful! The "country" atmosphere of this little cottage was so comfortable and refreshing. And the countryside around it was gorgeous. I will be recommending this to many friends, and definitely be back. V.R.

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Guest: Annalissa M. (San Diego, CA)
Date of Stay: 01/04/09 Review Submitted: 01/04/09

Thank you for letting us stay in your cottage. It is very beautiful and relaxing. The girls really enjoyed it. It made our new year a very memorable one. We will definitely come back.

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/21/08 Review Submitted: 11/21/08

Thank you so much! Our vacation was all that we had hoped it would be. A cosy cottage under a csnopy of trees, and stars that can only be appreciated in a mountain retreat such as this. We loved being so close to Julian (and their pies!)and yet still in this enchanted forest. Wonderful location, we will be back next year! P.S. We loved having breakfast on the deck!

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Guest: R.B.
Date of Stay: 11/20/08 Review Submitted: 11/19/08

Thank you so much for allowing me and my friends to stay at your Julian cottage. We were overwhelmed when we saw the place. It was so perfect and enchanting. You have a beautiful home, and we are so thankful we found you. I will be recommending you anytime someone is planning another Julian trip.

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