Palomar Mountain News

Cars started lining up at the lookout on State Park Road about an hour before the fireworks began on the Fourth of July. Of course I had to go over and visit a bit, passing out Save Palomar Mountain Postcards. People drove up the Grade from all over San Diego County to have this front-row seat. Families, couples, lots of kids and a professional photographer with several tri-pods set up. Folks told me they come up often. They escape their busy city live to rejuvenate, get a big breath of fresh air and take in the amazing views. Some said it is their tradition to see the fireworks. They also come for the snow or just a quick tail-gate picnic from the back of their vehicle, star gaze and escape city life.

We saw small planes circling and a couple of ships out in the Pacific watching the shows, too. Minutes before the shows began, a couple dozen cars had maxed out the parking area. Lots more cars planned to pull in but needed to continue on. I decided to cruise the mountain a bit and saw Palomar is a pretty popular viewing site.

How many firework locations can be seen from Palomar Mountain? We’ve counted 17 on Fourth of July. However, Sea World in San Diego invites you to “end your evening with the dazzling new Enchanted Wonders Fireworks Spectacular”. Pick a clear night and it is free admission from the Rim of the World on Palomar!

South Grade Road is the main road to access Palomar Mountain. Work is to be done through the end of the summer. There is a little confusion with the company that is doing work. This sign just popped up on Summit Circle. At the stop sign just ahead, you can continue straight west on South Grade Road. If you follow the arrow on the sign and turn right, that is not South Grade, but Canfield Road. It was reported and is to be corrected.

It was also suggested to just have one big sign going down from the top of South Grade posted with the days and hours. I did see one at the top of Canfield, coming from the Observatory, heading toward the Summit, just before you get to the Post Office. Little confusing for folks not familiar with the area.

A couple of months??? Yes, apparently the contractors have two months carved out to address some dangerous boulders and trees, repair some guardrails and a mesh retaining wall also known to us locals as the ‘monkey play ground’.

The work is to begin next Monday, July 15th. Questions are being asked about what time the work is to be done and will the road be closed evenings and weekends? I’ll get back to you when we know more.

The plan is to have one lane open for the property owners on the Grade, but with the extent of the work, they are encouraging everyone else to use East Grade to avoid long delays. Even though taking the East Grade adds about another 20 minutes, it might save time over waiting on the South Grade.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor – Looking forward to enjoying that beautiful East Grade Road more often

Questions about Real Estate, glad to answer those, too! 760-533-1742 DRE#01293655

An un-painted canvas is waiting for your dream home or weekend getaway. It is very rare to have a parcel come up with underground power and phone plus your own private well with that delicious water Palomar is famous for. A paved road takes you right to the property where we can drive up and circle through where you might choose to make that dream come true.

Simply click for the details and lots more photos then let’s take off and explore.

Bonnie Phelps, Palomar Properties Realtor since the beginning of the Century

760-533-1742

Palomar General Store is air conditioned! City folks go to the mall in this kind of heat. Palomar neighbors swap howdies at our little store. Isn’t that display adorable?! They are stocked with your last minute needs to cool off today; ice cream and sodas and then you can always pick up s’mores fixings for your campfire fun tonight.

Keep on Celebrating!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor in read-white-and-blue

Would you like a SkyQuest Orion 6 inch Dobsonian Telescope?  I purchased it a few years ago and only used it a few times, and it is in the original box, like new.   It is about 4 feet long, so pretty big.  I bought it for $500 but would sell it for $250. 

Thank you,

Livia Berg 760 518-3590

Driving along the road, I passed the biggest flag I’ve ever seen. Maybe 100 feet long. Of course. I had to turn around and take this for you with the puffy clouds cooperating, too. We’re grateful for the very brave and courageous patriots who fought for our freedom nearly 250 years ago.

Our 24 + years on the mountain, we have usually enjoyed fireworks from one of the off-mountain lookouts. That is where we’ll be tonight if you’d like to join us, just let us know. That state where our grandkids live have fireworks quite often. I don’t think I’ve ever been this close to where they launch. It’s a quick 20 seconds and you might recognize some of those kids who grew up on Palomar, too!

Just flew home from visiting our Treasures (those fast-growing grandkids) and I’ve been collecting keys! At last count we have seven new listings heading your way. Everything from vacant land waiting for your dream home to several forest fixers, a nicely remodeled 2 bedroom with huge fenced yard for your kids and pups and a beautifully renovated A-frame.

Title reports are ordered, surveyors are on their way to identify corners and line stakes and painters are freshening up for you. Made a quick trip to the city today for a new computer so will get these posted as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Mountain View Lodge is waiting for you to move right in! The beautiful oaks have leafed out and the bracken fern is at it’s finest. Such beautiful views for year-round living or weekend getaways in this very private location.

Come on up and join us here on Palomar Mountain.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

760-533-1742

Missouri called so I’ve been here visiting our Treasures a few weeks. (Home today!!!) Turned a corner here and saw this tower with lines running above standard power lines. Of course it made me think of what could be heading our way on Palomar Mountain.

We do have a hard-working Task Force with the goal to stop the towers from cutting across the mountain. Our Chairman, Jim Hamerly, saw this photo and thinks this tower may carry about 117,000 volts. The towers that are proposed to perhaps come through a huge percentage of the only east-west road on mountain are MUCH LARGER at 500,000 volts. Hard to imagine something that huge needing to drive by and under in several places to get to the top and then through the State Park with the tremendous clear-cutting that would be required.

Check out this video Jim just released:

Your testimonial is very much appreciated at https://savepalomarmountain.org/ Thanks and please share!

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor heading out to the Friendly Skies!

<<< From Friends of Palomar State Park, Rosemary Johnston

Come one, come all!!! Everyone is invited to visit the State Park Saturday June 15, 2024, for an event at the Silvercrest Picnic Area.

Park Interpreter, William Meyst has put together some interesting info on the history and culture in the area. Be sure to stop by Friends of the State Park Booth. You’ll also be able to go through the ‘secret’ paths to discover dozens of Indian Grinding holes tucked away under the trees.

Join us for a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of history and culture at Palomar Mountain State Park! We invite you to immerse yourself in an array of interactive exhibits and storytelling sessions that highlight the diverse heritage of the park. Explore artifacts, photographs, and multimedia presentations depicting the rich tapestry of Native American, Spanish, and American homesteader influences, as well as the park’s construction in the 1930s. Engage with knowledgeable staff and locals as they share insights into traditional crafts and skills. Concurrent storytelling sessions provide a dynamic backdrop, allowing you to hear captivating tales from respected elders and community members. Whether participating in hands-on activities, enjoying live demonstrations, or simply soaking in the natural beauty of the park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as we come together to celebrate our shared heritage!

Directions: You may try parking at Silvercrest but might need to (or enjoy) parking outside the main entrance and walk the trailhead across the road, to the left of the Palomar Mountain State Park sign. Hike that trail about a mile and it drops you right down to the Silvercrest Parking lot. Or, drive past the Ranger Station and Silvercrest is the first driveway on your left.

Booths will be open from 10 am to 2pm >>>

From Save Palomar Mountain: As you drive along State Park Road, you might also notice the power lines that serve our homes and businesses as you approach the State Park. The poles travel up to Boucher Lookout where they drop down to Pauma Valley. Our power is brought up from Pauma to serve the mountain. We have been led to believe that one route for the 500,000 volt transmission lines might include traveling through the State Park. Imagine if you will, seeing 13 story, four legged towers carrying all those lines to power South Orange County and LA Basin. Clear cutting this mountain ANYWHERE would be a travesty. Please, let your voice be heard with a simple click at Save Palomar Mountain and thank you for getting the word out by sharing. Thank you!

Make it a wonderful weekend!

If only Mr. Guy Wray could see his cabin now! He had it built a hundred years ago and he just might be amazed to see it is still in pretty good condition! It looks about the same but there is a new ‘guy’ sitting in his rocking chair!

Justin and Beth Pettis couldn’t resist stepping back in time with the bonus of having two bedrooms! How special is that!?! Justin could never have enough projects and the first on their list was moving out the ‘free pets’ (oh, you know, those critter’s that came with the place). Then he’ll tackle excluding them forever, leveling the floor and has quite a long list to shore up the cabin for another hundred years or so.

When not at their cabins, Beth works as a nurse at Sharp Hospital and would be your favorite nurse of all time… and Justin? He keeps busy with his company On Point Marine Services out on Shelter Island.

We’re glad to have them on both sides of the mountain now. If you pop by to swap howdies, he might lend you a hammer and a tool belt, just so you know. Let the fun times begin!