What do you love about Palomar? Are you looking to own property here? You can take your pick of homes, cabins and land for sale plus I usually have some extra keys in my pocket. You’re always invited to come on up for a tour.
How about the views? You see Point Loma out there with the San Diego skyline and islands dotting the Pacific – so close and yet so far away – with the beauty of the Four Seasons! Lots to share with you.
Would you like to join in on our old-fashioned fun? Scroll down to glance through the archives then simply subscribe to be the first to know.
Have a message to go out? Just send it my way. If you don’t see it posted within 24 hours, please reach out to me. Glad to keep the news heading your way about our favorite mountain!
Bonnie Phelps, Palomar Mountain News Editor since 1998
and Palomar Mountain Real Estate since the beginning of the Century!
“When it comes to taking care of yourself, your mother was right …There is nothing a little chicken soup wont make better.”
That old fashioned little verse was on a card that arrived last week. Apparently a bug is going around and the Cowboy got it, than shared. What a guy!
Sorry to hear the plight of others that have been putting up with this summer season of coughing and all the rest.
Just had to give a shout-out for a chicken soup that really hits the spot. We’ve been through two four-packs of this yummy treat with this bug. Diced white onions and that fresh avocado give it such a great flavor. They make it fresh to order so you might want to call in advance: Lourdes in Escondido has been known for many years as “The best Chicken Soup in Town”. Well, next to Mom’s…
Thinking we must eat more honey than the average bear, we enjoy so much being able support a local business. Like some delicious honey? Check out Cool Valley Honey with family ties to neighbors on Palomar.
You simply order on line, pick up at one of their locations in Valley Center, San Marcos or Temecula. You’ll see gift packs and everything from honey sticks to gallon jugs. (Oh my, if they only came with a serving spout!)
Like a fun outing? They also offer seasonal tours where you can meet the bees, see their process, and sample honey fresh from the comb. The bees are active in the summer months so the tours start October 1st.
You can also find this raw honey at the Palomar Mountain General Store and Lake Henshaw Resort.
Many of us have such fond memories of Bruce and Lola Graves. They bought land in the 1980’s and started out in a camping trailer while building a cabin. Bruce was a high school shop teacher; he went to work with what he had learned and taught. The cabin was done in no time. Then, Bruce tackled the project of designing and building a big home across the road. He maintained an active basement workshop where he repaired anything and everything, and even built rocking chairs from mountain oak. They sold their home seven years ago and moved near family in El Cajon. Their Mountain home is now owned by Justin Davis and family who put that workshop and land to use with his wood working and carving business. Bruce was so pleased to know how much they enjoy the home he created.
Bruce and his wife Lola were much-loved and very helpful mountain residents. They were so active and devoted to the Palomar Mountain community. For many years, Bruce was a board member and influential chair of the Palomar Mountain Planning Organization and a member of the Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. He drove the water tender, maintained the firetrucks, and taught others how to drive them. He volunteered with the Mutual Water Company and helped out in so many ways. Lola enjoyed making soap and crafts that she sold at our mountain events. What she was the most famous for were her pies! When we had the school on Palomar we would have fund raisers for their field trips. I remember as the auctioneer, that Lola’s pies sold for over $200.00! Her ‘Bumbleberry’ pie sold for $500.00! The winner of that pie than donated it back and we sold off slices for $20.00 each! Our mountain kid’s field trips were even better because of her time in the kitchen! Lola passed away September of 2020.
In March, Mike Pique met up with Libby Getzoff, Bruce and their families for an outing to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, they all had a wonderful day. Bruce had 94 great years and passed away peacefully June 22 at his home in El Cajon, after complications following surgery for a fractured femur. He will be missed!
Everyone is invited to Bruce’s Celebration of Life 11AM Friday, July 24, 2026
Singing Hills Memorial Park 2800 Dehesa Road El Cajon, CA 92019
Luncheon following the service Nancy’s & Randy’s home 922 Prescott Ave., El Cajon 92020
On her way to work at 6:40 am, neighbor Samantha came across these dogs close to the bottom of the East Grade on the Henshaw side of Palomar. She also has a dog and carries water so stopped to give them a much appreciated drink. Apparently they ran the 14 miles to the top of the mountain as I see that another neighbor, Brad Mills posted a few hours ago that the dogs were running down the South Grade, heading toward Hwy 76.
If you happen to recognize these dogs, please let the owner know. Hope they have found more water along the way as it is a very hot day.
In the past, Palomar seemed to be a popular area to drop off unwanted dogs. It really isn’t. There are other options. So sorry for these poor dogs…
You are invited to our Annual Hoedown Saturday, August 29th. Mike Pique and Robert Carlyle were up bright and early to get the banner posted for another fun day to look forward to on Palomar. These events happen because of all the volunteers involved. How can you help?
Donate items to be used for Raffle prizes!
We always have such great items show up for all to bid on with a silent auction. Winners are announced at the close of the day. Do you have fun household items you’re no longer using, or hand-crafted items? How about gathering gift certificates from local vendors? Surprise us! Connect with Cecelia Borland for details and questions cell 760-594-4688
2. Set up the day before and take down Saturday afternoon connect with Robert Carlyle cell 775-636-0985
3. Host a booth selling your wares
4. Host a kids game booth
5 Enjoy the BBQ luncheon
6. Tap your toes and sing along the to live music
Just let us know, and look forward to seeing you there!
Bonnie Phelps, Realtor on Beautiful Palomar Mountain
A property had a water leak recently. I grabbed a big kitchen spoon real quick and ran out to turn the water off. I knew when I lifted the lid the box would be full of dirt. Those crazy gophers think water boxes are a great place for playing. While the leak was being repaired I used a great idea shown to me years ago by our Palomar Contractor, Tom Fortney. I filled a few plastic grocery bags with plastic packing material. After turning the water back on, you simply pack those bags in tight. Next time you need to access your box, you don’t need to dig all that dirt out.
We, Doug Davies and Cindy Watson, are already feeling welcomed by many in the Palomar Mountain community. We recently moved into the Litchfield property and are charmed by the mountain views, cabin comforts, spectacular sunrises and quiet, starfilled nights.
We are renaming the cabin “Owls’ Perch” as it looks across the valley toward Santa Ysabel, Lake Henshaw and Warner Springs. Owls have always held a special place in our hearts and now in our new home.
I’m (Cindy) a retired elementary school teacher of 37 years and I’m (Doug) a still-working engineer dreaming of retirement. We both appreciate having a lovely escape from the hustle-bustle at the bottom of the hill in San Diego.
With the Litchfield’s Property we feel less like owners and more like stewards responsible for the upkeep of this very special place, until we pass it on to the next generation. We have hopes and plans in gathering our own adult children, grandchildren, extended family and friends here for many years to come. Palomar Mountain in general, the Litchfield cabin in particular are very special places and we feel privileged to be part of your community. We look forward to meeting more of you in passing and at local events.
It is that time again! It’s always fun to meet up and help fill up another 40-yard!
Saturday, 8 am until noon or full! Take State Park Road to Bailey Meadow Road, first driveway on right.
From: Cecelia
Good evening Palomartians! The Fire Safe Council will be providing a 40 yd Roll-off dumpster for community use on Saturday, July 11th in Robert Carlyle’s front yard. We open at 8 and close at noon or when full, which ever comes first. You all know the rules: No tires, paint, Lg appliances, HAZMAT, chemicals. Come and fellowship with your neighbors. It’s the place to be on a Saturday!
Palomar Mountain News 