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Private sites
100% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.
The perfect blend of a relaxing San Diego local mountain getaway with access to nearby local attractions and restaurants! Manzanita Hill offers private camping with proximity to historic Julian, shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities. Located on over 8 acres of mountain woodlands, Manzanita Hill boasts of spectacular views of the Spencer Valley and the hills of nearby Santa Ysabel Preserve East. Bring your own tent, pull in your camper van, or book into our Safari tent, nestled in oak woodlands on a deck, with private compost toilet.
Manzanita Hill is just:
- a five minute drive to antique shops, Patchwork Market, cideries, farm stands, bakeries, and restaurants at Wynola Junction.
- 10 minutes from historic Julian township, an old gold mining town.
- A scenic 10 minute drive up Wynola Road to the Volcan Mountain Preserve trailhead, Menghini Winery, and apple orchards.
- 15-20 minutes to Santa Ysabel for Julian Pie Company, Dudley's Bakery, Santa Ysabel Art Gallery, access to Santa Ysabel Preserve and Interpretive Center, Cuyamaca Lake, and more!
Manzanita Hill Homestead, an early 20th century structure is under going a revival to modern homestead and community space. The surrounding woodlands are receiving some TLC focusing on forest health and wildfire prevention. There is one adventure trail onsite and a community propane fire pit (allowed when extreme heat or high winds are not forecast), because, well... s'mores.
Select a site
Tent-only sites
1 site
Manzanita Hill Tent Site
100%
(7)
Tent site · Sleeps 4
Pitch your tent in our grassy meadow and have access to your own picnic table. The site is in full sun, so shade gear is recommended. There is room for a single 2-person sized tent on small dirt pad. If you have a pop-up tent on your vehicle, you can park next to the pad. There's a porto-loo on-site for your use in the driveway. You'll have to bring your own drinking water, but we can provide washing up water, if needed. There is a view of the house and driveway from the campsite, as well as of the studio building and van camp site. While you will have privacy in your area, you will not have visual seclusion.
The views of the valley and surround hills is magic! We have one small adventure trail on-site and you're spoiled for choice when it comes to local hikes in the area.
Hike-in access only
No campfires
Toilet
No potable water
No pets
No showers
RV-only sites
1 site
Van Camp at Manzanita Hill
80%
(5)
Vehicle site · Sleeps 4 · Vehicles under 20 ft
Situated above the road, our camper van site has sweeping views of the hillsides above the Spencer Valley and the forest to the south. The site is located just within the property boundaries, to the right of the driveway as you enter. This space is ideal for camper vans, up to a maximum of 20 feet long. The terrain is gravelly and uneven, if leveling is required, be sure to have your own equipment to do so. Guests have access to a composting toilet and trash; recycling receptacles located in the driveway above the camp site.
No campfires
Toilet
No potable water
No pets
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
Lodging
1 site
Safari Tent in Nestled in Oak Trees
95%
(11)
Safari tent · Sleeps 6 · 1 bed
When you book our Safari tent nestled in coast live oak woodlands - come ready to relax! The tent sits atop a wooden deck in the trees, just below the homestead, and has a queen sized bed and sitting area. We recommend this site as a cozy get away for couples or families. We can provide a single camping cot and mat at extra cost for use inside the tent.
There is a flat space near the tent picnic area, you can book in additional tents at extra cost per person. The entire site in on a slope, the table, chairs and dining area, and hammock are up slope from the tent.
A private compost toilet is available next to the tent for your use.
We provide access to our studio deck kitchen for washing up. Please bring drinking water as needed. The picnic table has kitchen storage attached. Inside you’ll find washing up gear and camp soap.
Let us know if you need to rent a camp kitchen kit - it comes with stove, cooking pans and utensils and plates.
There is no open flame cooking at the campsite, but there are gas BBQ and campfire options depending on the season and number of bookings on-site. If you fancy trying some local fare, we offer a package of some of our favorite Julian treats. Order in advance to have them waiting for you at check-in!
As part of an active woodland ecosystem, you’ll fall asleep to the sound of small animals in the underbrush, the yipping of coyotes, or a chorus of frogs in the creek. You’ll wake up to the sound of woodland and mountain birds, the soft footsteps of deer, or the chattering of ground squirrels. Lately wild turkeys have been roosting at night in the trees above the tent. If you’re lucky, you may spot a nocturnal mammal or two - raccoons, foxes, bobcat and opossums abound! So be sure to lock away your valuables and food at night!
Manzanita Hill offers a truly welcoming and convenient camping experience, with Diana's hospitality consistently praised across the board. Guests appreciate the cleanliness, peacefulness, and thoughtful amenities like private toilets and propane showers. While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, one guest noted the lack of a level spot and table as a minor drawback. Overall, the site is highly recommended for its serene environment and proximity to local attractions.
We stayed for two nights in the Safari tent and loved the entire experience. Diana was extremely communicative from the start. Due to high heat warnings, she even offered to reschedule our trip. Luckily, it was very nice and breezy when we arrived. Most of the property is shady so we rarely felt hot. Diana also put out an umbrella for us at the picnic table. It was very nice to eat dinner and watch sunset each day. We didn’t have a food storage bin so Diana lent us one.
The Safari tent itself was very spacious. The bed was so comfortable and fit two adults and one toddler easily. There were many thoughtful touches that made the stay really easy. The private toilet was very clean and right next to the tent. The booking includes a clean bottom sheet. We brought our own blankets and pillows. At night, the temperature was perfect and didn’t feel cold. I’m very happy that I added the propane showers. Water pressure and temperature was just right. Highly recommend bringing a bathrobe since there is a short walk from the shower back to the tent.
The location was closer to Santa Ysabel so we were able to enjoy all the famous pie places without the long lines.
What made the stay really special was Diana’s hospitality. She was very patient and answered all of our questions since it was our first time camping with a toddler. We loved learning about the land and the habitat. Will definitely be back!
I enjoyed my stay on Diana’s land. Perfect for the occasion! A quick trip to Julian to escape my busy work schedule. A nice relaxing, quiet sleep under the stars! ✨
We had a wedding nearby and wanted to make the most of the road trip to explore the scenic area. This campsite was such a great value with all the amenities we needed tucked into a little getaway... while also being just minutes away from Julian! Diana was so accommodating and communicative with our late check-in, we had no issues finding our way there. The cherry on the top was waking up to a flock of cute little turkeys outside our car 🥹✨
Very accommodating, clear communication, lovely spot. Showed up at the beginning of the season and the site I had reserved wasn’t fully prepped yet, so I was upgraded to some nicer accommodations instead. Really appreciate the care and I would stay on their land again!
We had a wounderful time. From the very start Diana was very responsive. Upon our arrival she got all checked in a familiar with supplies and amenities. I was very impressed by all the small details such as signage and provided materials. Even more so impressed by how much work Diana takes to make the experience comfortable and environmentally sustainable. We got to see some wild turkeys at night and enjoyed looking at her bee hive boxes. Compost toilet was a new one for me and like she promised it was easy, comfortable, and left no smell. It would be a pleasure to stay again!
This was probably my favorite Hipcamp stay so far-- it's conveniently located a short drive outside of Julian, but still perfectly quiet and with gorgeous mountain views peeking out behind the trees. With the cozy bedding package and cooking set we felt we had everything we could possibly need out here. Must recommend the hot propane shower too! Our hosts live on the property (with their tiny pup) and were as sweet as can be + very accommodating. Perfect spot to spend a solo weekend with a book, or for a peaceful getaway for two. There's a cot for a third person, and room around the campfire for plenty more if friends camp at the other site.
Must, must recommend Manzanita Hill!
Lovely site with oak-shaded hang-outs and a private spacious safari tent. Diana was great, super responsive and helpful. Wonderful spot to stay close to Julian.
Great for 2 people, a little cramped for 4 maybe but works fine for a family!
Great property, and very comfortable safari tent setup in an ideal location in wynola. Diana was a very welcoming and helpful host. We had a lovely weekend staying there.
Stayed here for 3 nights and loved everything about our stay! Clean bathrooms, hot and cold outdoor showers, fire pits, and the tent was really well made with a comfortable bed. I would take a few extra blankets because the nights definitely get cold and would also recommend taking your own wood for the campfire. I'll definitely be back here in the future :)
Diana was a great host and responds to any questions you might have. This campsite was a perfect blend of natural beauty, and an unforgettable stargazing experience. The deers and other wildlife just casually walking right by you was pretty cool. If you’re seeking a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, I highly recommend this spot.
I had a great stay at Diana's land. Before and during booking, Diana was very responsive and clearly communicated everything I would need to know. She was super helpful and very accommodating throughout the entire process. I arrived to hand written note and a lovely map of the property that let me get set up quickly and get to enjoying the serenity of the space.
The homestead is nice an quiet with a great view of the surrounding landscape. I popped up from San Diego for a nice, peaceful evening and was not disappointed. Wildlife everywhere and no other folks around. Loved it!
My family and I loved the Safari tent at Diana’s land. The view was beautiful and the place very peaceful. The proximity to the village makes it easy to access a grocery store if needed, but when you get to the place you get immersed into nature and forget about city noises. Diana is a wonderful host, very helpful and available to answer any questions. Making s’more and watching the starry sky were the highlights for my daughter. We’ll definitely be back! Thank you Diana!
Location
Julian, San Diego, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking