My chosen destination was Julian, California – a little more than an hour drive northeast of San Diego.
Starting out from my base in Pacific Beach, I headed east on Interstate-8. That part is a pretty routine drive through the suburbs.
The interesting part starts when you head north on Highway 79. You drive through the mountains that are certainly not on par with the Rockies, but the elevation in the Cuyamaca Mountains does rise above 4,000 feet. There are plenty of warning signs of 15- 20- or 25-mile-per-hour curves.
Along the way you pass Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. To the east you can see the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
