14684 Highway 79, Julian, CA 92036

About this home

MILK RANCH—THREE CABINS. A rare, privately held legacy property with more than 104 years of family ownership, this 39±-acre mountain retreat is rooted in the rich history of the Cuyamaca region. Within the historic Rancho Cuyamaca Mexican Land Grant dating to 1848, the property carries the longstanding name “Milk Ranch,” reflecting the area’s early ranching and cattle history. The name lives on through Milk Ranch Road. Situated at the base of Cuyamaca Peak, just 4.5 miles from beautiful Lake Cuyamaca, Milk Ranch offers privacy, natural beauty, recreation, and California history, with more than 100 miles of hiking and equestrian trails nearby. Three separate cabins—including a full-time primary residence and two additional heated cabins—along with two wells, a year-round spring-fed pond, established orchards, raised garden beds, and a metal workshop with covered parking create the foundation for a remarkable family compound, private retreat, or self-sufficient mountain homestead. The primary cabin features solar as its main power source, complemented by operational hydroelectric and generator backup systems; the two additional cabins are generator-powered. Seasonal elderberries, native azaleas, wild berries, abundant wildlife, and other natural resources add to this extraordinary opportunity to own a private piece of California mountain history. This is a wonderful place to watch birds, deer, and other wildlife; nearly 200 species of birds call Cuyamaca their home. Mule deer visit the apple orchard. Gray fox, striped skunks, opossum, gray squirrels, white-nosed weasels, chipmunks, bobcat, and coyote are a few of the resident species. Three generations of children were raised on this property off-grid, making mud pies, stargazing, and listening to stories around the fireplace. There are numerous wild elderberry bushes for harvesting and making elderberry jam or syrup. The self-sustainable infrastructure includes a 3000-watt solar array charging the battery bank. The 24-volt battery bank consists of twelve 2-volt deep-cell flooded batteries; there are two Outback charge controllers, a Xantrex power inverter, and a hydroelectric and diesel generator backup power system. There is a year-round spring that feeds the hydroelectric backup system and flows at approximately 6 GPM into a plastic-lined pond. With a history dating back to pre-California statehood, this property promises bountiful fun and memories for future generations.