Escape to Weber’s Woods • Comfort of home Minutes to Julian, Wineries, the Lake

People visit Julian for a variety of reasons--to drive the scenic backcountry; wander through quaint shops, then buy an apple pie; hike local trails; fish or paddleboat at Lake Cuyamaca; go on a retreat; watch or participate in parades, competitions, or festivals; explore local history; get a taste of small-town life. We wanted to experience all of the above by having a mountain cabin where we could enjoy longer Julian visits, get away from our busy daily lives, and strengthen our family bonds. We knew we had found it when we stood on this road in November 1985 and listened to the wind whistling through the numerous pines and oaks surrounding the red cedar log cabin. Of course, we found much more over the years. Making friends, playing games, climbing trees, watching the night sky, building snowmen, throwing snowballs, picking lilacs, planting daffodils, hiking the area, observing the wildlife, and most importantly, sharing grace moments of conversation and quiet. When our daughter was eight years old, she named this place Weber’s Woods. The cabin was an 800-square-foot two-story structure, built by hand in the 1930’s. It was tiny and quaint due to oddities such as mismatched windows, very old furniture and appliances, a patterned linoleum kitchen floor, a heavy staircase that pulled down out of the ceiling to reveal an upstairs play area but took away half the living room, and the best stone-built fireplace that warmed us in spite of no insulation in the walls. We loved it!

Weber’s Woods is located 15 minutes outside of Julian. As the cottage is more rural, your stay will feel different than in town. Here are some ways you will be able to enjoy more outside room and privacy. Wildlife is guaranteed to be seen here. Early morning is usually a good time for sightings and the porch is an excellent vantage point. Enjoy a cup of coffee while sitting quietly. Be patient. Deer travel through here regularly, sometimes on the lane or coming through the fence along the road, or standing on their hind legs to eat off the fruit trees or bedding down under the pines for a rest in the back yard. You may hear wild turkeys gobbling in the meadow or coyotes yip-yipping. Watch for squirrels and chipmunks running amok, quail parading out of the meadow after an “All clear” alert from their lookout, baby rabbits playing with each other, hawks and golden eagles flying high or observing the world atop pines in the meadow. There are other birds as well--blue birds, ravens, turkey vultures, thrashers, blue jays and woodpeckers. Far more rarely, a bobcat or rare mountain lion might appear too. Be vigilant when outside and observant when inside. Look out the windows often, especially in the kitchen or towards the meadow. You might be surprised.

Visitors often comment on how rested they feel here. Coupled with how quiet it is and our altitude of 4,400 feet (which can make you feel drowsy or easily fatigued), most guests sleep very well. If you are visiting from an urban area, the silence might seem strange since you are more used to background noise. But just lowering the volume of sound has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve health, especially mental health. Silence aids good sleep. Silence is rejuvenating. Adding more silent times to one’s life improves mood. Altitude + Silence + Darkness = Good rest. Note: If you are a writer or have a project to complete or just need quiet time away, silence is your friend here, allowing concentration and relaxation without interruption.