Palomar Mountain News

It was very sad to see the news this morning about El Rey. We’ve enjoyed so many meals with family and friends in this Pauma Valley restaurant at the base of the mountain.

A gal by the name of Peg Henry owned the building in the mid 1970’s when we first lived on Palomar. It was much different then, catering to grove workers and could get pretty rowdy. One day Servando “Van” Cueva stopped in for a cup of coffee. He told us the dishwasher hadn’t shown up so he volunteered to pitch in. With his friendly smile, and strong work ethic, he scrubbed those dishes, worked his way up and eventually got his US citizenship. That opened even more doors and Peg made him the manager. Van was able to buy the store next door, then when Peg retired, he acquired the restaurant.

Van had the vision to turn the restaurant into a family friendly, very popular destination for Mexican food. He was often there, greeting folks at their tables. He knew so many people by name and when he would stop at our table, I would usually ask him to share how he came be the owner. It is such a great story of the opportunity available for hard working people to build a successful business in America. He eventually purchased the entire strip mall.

When telling the story, at this point, he would laugh and say “now I’m back to washing dishes”.

So many of us will miss lingering after a delicious meal, in front of the wood burning fireplace or enjoying the beautiful fountain out on the patio.

Our hearts go out to Van, his family, all the employees and folks impacted by the fire this morning.

Bonnie Phelps

The Valley Center Magazine has a great article about a movie that was shot on Palomar. Produced by Veteran Powered Films, ‘Homestead’ is about a family living off-grid on a remote mountain. They sure picked the perfect location!

Simply click the article and more photos. The trailer for this film should show up on their website any day now.

Thanks to Ken Ruth for stopping by with the magazine to share with you.

Can you believe this is in San Diego County? So close and yet so far away from the stress of the city. Would you like to escape the September ‘May Gray and June Gloom’ of the flatlands? On a quick trip down to the city today, I had to pull over to capture this for you. Palomar Mountain has bright blue sunny sky and just a few miles down the grade we slipped through a think blanket of clouds with some drizzly rain in places.

It is perfect timing to come to the mountain top. I saw folks pulled over in several places along the way to take in the unusually beautiful views. Come on up and take your own soon-to-be favorite pix.

Of course, we’re glad to open some doors for you. Who knows, you might go home with keys headed your way for a delightful weekend getaway. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to change your address for fulltime living, the good life, above the clouds.

Come on up and explore your options at the top of the Highway to the Stars.

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

760-533-1742

Nathan Phelps, Broker

619-576-1826

From: Bob Gonsett

The County of San Diego Assessor’s Office has a wonderful FREE real estate fraud alert program in place. The first two photos below are the front and back of a card describing the service.  I signed up months ago online. It was easy and the County does not spam you with a bunch of useless emails in return. It’s a program I highly recommend.

Even if you are already signed up, tell a friend. Our tax dollars well spent.

Best regards,   Bob Gonsett

Click for all the info

Last Saturday we woke up to a very chilly, misty day. But we were all greeted with warm smiles and hugs at the Hoedown. It was so fun to see folks I hadn’t seen in many years! Wish I’d taken more pix for you! Many thanks to all the volunteers that worked so hard to make it such a great time for all!

A few years ago, Ed and Sandrine came up to see a cabin for sale. They wanted more land. I had keys to one on-the-way with four acres. The painter was just finishing up and they couldn’t resist the view. Perfect for their weekend hide-a-way. Recently, another cabin was available on their road. They just had to have it to fix up for a rental and keep Ed supplied with projects. When this property next door to their first cabin came on the market it was a pretty obvious addition! Palomar Mountain has become such a wonderful place to be, they decided to make it their home and keep their smaller cabin for family and friends. Ed is retired but now is working full-time on Sandrine’s Honey-do List. Sandrine has a company in Bio-tech and will be in the city some but is looking forward to working from her best birthday present ever.

Sandrine celebrated her birthday weekend by moving in!

Happy Birthday to you!!! Cheers!

Looking for a very fun time out on Lake Henshaw? So many of you are new to PMNews and we have more warm weather heading our way. I thought I should turn this around again. Simply click for lots of photos and info for a great time on the Lake!

A big moving van was backed in Mike and Lauren’s driveway on Saturday. After all this hot weather, they were treated to a misty day to move the last of their things up from San Diego. Both are CPA’s and can work from anywhere as all they needed was great internet so are already rolling! They decided to leave the city life as mountain life was calling. The big trees, fresh air, clear sky and exploring every trail up here is at the top of their goals. They both love to cook so the big kitchen in their new home was quite an attraction. Mike has a great beginning collection of tools, looking forward many fun projects.

Welcome to your new home!

Oh, we are going to miss these neighbors! What happened?!? Well, they went to visit family out of state and decided living a mile and a half from their daughter’s grandparents would be a wonderful idea. Speaking of family, Jeremy’s great grandparents built this charming cabin while living next door over 50 years ago. Later, his parents couldn’t resist another cabin down the mountain lane, plus a owned a piece of land that now has a big three story home that just happens to have new owners moving in. Lot of happy memories on Palomar with so much of their family roots up here, but it is your turn.

Click for the details. Like a tour? We can slip in a few showings to celebrate Labor Day in style! Owners will be packing, doing repairs and updating so offered ‘pardon our dust and watch for wet paint’ tours starting Monday, Sept. 4th. We’re to have more photos next week but I’m thinking we might have it spoken for by then…

Looking forward to meeting our next new neighbors. Will that be you?

Bonnie Phelps, Realtor

Let’s connect 760-533-1742

Did you know there is a Water Park OPEN at the base of the mountain?! About 20 minutes from the top is a fun place to cool off! This is just the beginning of Phase One with more to come; all newly remodeled by the La Jolla Reservation. I was invited to do a quick walk-through with my camera.

Info was provided by Leah Herrera, the smiling gal at the entrance. Open Saturdays and Sundays and also open this Monday since it is a holiday. 8:30 am to 6:00 pm

$20 per adult, $15 for kids and 3 and under are free

Snack bar, bathrooms, showers. Some canopies for rent.

Suggestion to bring your own chairs and umbrellas or canopy. If the park fills up, you might want to have your own shade as it is limited.

711 Sengme Oaks – From Hwy 76, you’ll turn south on Sengme Oaks. There was no signage when I popped by but you’ll eventually see the park on your right and the entrance is third driveway.

Water Park phone 760-742-8754 is part of “La Jolla Adventure Park” at
https://lajollaindiancampground.com/about/ You’ll also see info at
https://www.facebook.com/lajollagovernment/ but might have been updated since those postings.

Call first to confirm hours and pricing 760-742-8754 waterpark@lajolla.nsn.gov

Mountain neighbor, Mike Pique told me about this fun adventure so I met him there for quick pix then had to run. He stayed and cooled off for a few hours. Here is his review:

“Two pools are open, the larger one is shallow everywhere with 3 waterslides, mushroom fountain in center, and seven always-on jets arcing over into it from the edges.  The other, smaller, pool goes from 4 feet to 5 feet deep and has two small (but much faster) helical waterslides, new since the old days.  I found a shady chair by the big one and alternated between soaking and water-sliding.   When not soaking, when I started to feel hot, I’d choose a waterslide. Since they all end up with me getting dunked and cooled off, it worked fine.   

I stayed until 5 PM; they are open until 6 PM but only on weekends, plus open Labor Day.  Even with kids running around, it felt very peaceful – the seven big water jets and the mushroom fountain made a constant pleasant sound.

The work they have put in is phenomenal.  Still a lot to do with lots of conduit and piping sticking out of various places.  But the grounds are lovely, with fresh sod and many newly planted trees.  And having Palomar Mountain as a backdrop – how can you lose?’ 

Hoping they get lots of business. Let’s all go splash real soon!

Bonnie Phelps, Palomar Realtor looking forward to cooling off at the Water Park!

See also Fun Things to do on Palomar Mountain