Laguna Mountain Lodge & Trading Post

Best vacation ever! Tom and John were very helpful and courteous. My family can’t wait to come back. Make sure that you buy an adventure pass if you park some place else or the Forrest service will give you a ticket.

The general store is not a very friendly or welcoming place to visit. I usually stop by on my motorcycle but I park in front of the post office. The owner, a big gray haired guy, will stand on the porch having a smoke and just glares at people. I refuse to go inside because of his attitude, so I bring my own refreshments, this really pisses him off, too bad. One time he removed the chairs out front because he didn’t like people congregating, What a way to conduct business.

I think the guys in here hate having customers at their store. Especially when there is snow and their store is packed with visitors. Their faces are straight and they look angry because of alllll the customers in the store. They must hate selling all their merchandise at an inflated price because it must be annoying having to restock the shelves.
I would be rude too if i had customer after customer giving me money and buying everything in my store. NOT! These guys suck big time. Like seriously they get swamped with customers and they seem like they hate being busy.
They have a $ 10 credit/​debit minimum which is stupid like the guy that helped me. «There’s a $ 10 minimum» and i said «wow really» and he said «YES REALLY». I should if walked out right there but we wanted snack. The guy was a total butt head. I been there many times and each time is the same but this last time just did it for me.
Next time we come up to Mt Laguna im just going to get snacks at the gas station in Julian. The prices are not inflated and they have better options. Like ⁷⁄₁₁ basically. And The owner loves selling his merchandise. Unlike the jerks in Mt Laguna Lodge.
P. s. NEVER BUY THE ADVENTURE PASS. ITS JUST A WAY FOR THEM TO GET YOUR MONEY.

Okay… I haven’t even stayed here but I will immediately give 1 star because the guy I spoke to on the phone was totally rude.
They also have way too many policies, such as with the number of people that can stay and the number of kids that can stay… Which is stupid because how can families enjoy together? They also only accept checks, no credit cards (kind of a lie because the website said you can use credit card). So to have to pay hundreds of dollars directly by check… That’s kinda expensive.
Anyway, booking here is so stressful and complicated, and the policies are ridiculously unreasonable. Defeats the purpose of having a good vacation. So yeah.

We’ve been staying at the Lodge for the past 20 years, not sure if we’ll return. We stayed this past weekend. The cabin was such a dissapointment and not because of the rustic or accomodations… but the cleanliness of the cabin. The shower curtain was covered in mold, the sink & toilet were just as bad (toilet looked as if it had never been cleaned). The blankets were so old, they were actually stiff/​hard. The mattress was so old and worn, my husband slept on the trundle while I slept in the bed… it was that uncomfortable. The microwave still had the previous guests plate in the unit. Sitting out on the porch, we realized why we continue returning… the beauty of the trees, birds and crisp air. The guys working the desk are friendly and helpful. I hope the Owner considers’ a facelift for the cabins (new paint, mattresses, blankets, larger TVs, new shower curtains, etc.). Might also suggest having the maids do a better job in just simple cleaning.

My family and I stayed there every Labor Day weekend for over 30 years. We loved the location and the previous owner, Sheila. In recent years, however, the cleanliness of the cabins has become totally unacceptable. The matresses have not been changed in years and have stains all over them. The shower curtain liners had mold; the floors were filthy. One of my family members left a piece of tissue paper in the cupboard under the bathroom sink and it was still there a year later. We were very reluctant to give up our family tradition of staying there every year, but it got way too bad to continue paying their ever-​increasing prices and not see an improvement in the housekeeping.

RUDEST guy working there. They don’t allow pitbulls even if it’s a mix. The guy working talks to you like your an idiot and with major attitude. He was constantly watching us and it was just me and my boyfriend. I’ll give it one star because the the cabin was pretty awesome, bad a bedroom, mini kitchen with stove and fridge, legit old school fire place. I wouldn’t go back due to the horrible service.

What this IS: a step up from camping with running water, indoor plumbing, electricity, and heating.
What this is NOT: a fancy-​schmancy hotel.
The owners were very friendly and helpful during our visit, so I’m completely baffled that some reviews said that they were rude. They must’ve had a good reason to act in such a way. The one bedroom cabin that we rented was decent, but I personally would’ve preferred it cleaner. The cabin was exactly what I would expect from a rustic mountain retreat, RUSTIC.
The website said that cooking utensils weren’t included, but nothing in the kitchen was included except for a washcloth and towel, so plan accordingly. There are supplies you can buy at the general store if you do forget something. Prices are a little inflated, as one might predict in a rural area.

This is not a fancy hotel. The motel rooms are old/​rustic as are many of the cabins. Some cabins are quite modern though. But all of the rooms are clean and in good repair.
Let’s face it though, if you’re in Mt. Laguna you didn’t come to be pampered in a four star hotel. You came to enjoy nature then have a place to shower and sleep. The lodge fits the bill fir that.

We got married here this spring in the grove of trees behind the cabins. John was a breeze to work with, very accommodating and cheerful throughout the process, and cut us a great deal. The gorgeous grounds provided the perfect backdrop for our ceremony and small outdoor dinner reception.
Regarding the rooms, you just need to know what you’re signing up for. The place is rustic, to say the least, and the word «shabby» might be accurate. However, our cabin was clean and comfortable. Expect something a couple steps up from camping and you’ll be happy; expect the Hilton and you’ll be disappointed. We loved the ambiance.
My family is considering coming back for summer vacations in the future, and our friends want to stay for a snowy weekend in the winter. Mount Laguna is beautiful and this is a fine base of operations for your trip.

Believe the bad reviews, from bad service to bed bugs. The proprietors are boorish boobs. The cabins are dirty, old, and uncomfortable. It’s over-​priced at any cost.

I stopped here to check out the property and see if this would be a fun place to spend a weekend. I parked, didn’t turn off my truck, stepped out and took a few pictures. A man pulled up next to me and rolled down his window. He told me that we needed to leave if we weren’t registered guests. No «hi, how are you? I’m the manager here.» Just «Get out.» For a businessman that relies on customer service to make guests or ‘potential guests’ feel welcome, he is failing miserably. Don’t know his name but he was mid 50’s-60 with light blue eyes. Got the message loud and clear… he doesn’t need my money.

BED BUGS. warning, this place is expensive and has bed bugs. We went in and told the owner, asking for money back. He was completely rude and acted like it was our fault.
Sure, one night in you motel and we carried a nest of bed bugs with us! That makes sense. Not.
We asked for a refund and he grumpily handed us a $ 20. A third of what we paid for the room.
So essentially we paid $ 40 (plus another $ 40 in food here) for over priced hiker food and bites all over our legs.
OWNER: if you would like to make this right and give us a full refund, please contact me.

First time staying here, always been camping at El Prado down the road.
On the Plus Side —
Showers — no quarters, lines, or long cold walks home to campsite
Fridge — kept my Grapefruit Sculpin growler ice cold, and Ben and Jerry’s frozen
Bathroom — come on ladies, who really wants to hike to a stinky Andy Gump in the middle of the night?
Loads of storage — more than most hotels!
Mini-​kitchen — great for crafting a simple meal, but then there is also the Blue Jay Restaurant just across the road.
MTB and Hiking Trails — this sits at the top of Burnt Rancheria Trail and close to Red Tail Roost — LOVE that.
Free Birthday Brownie!!! — Very cool that Tom at the front desk made my morning with this thoughtful touch — thanks Tom!!!
On the minus Side–
Dog Restrictions — yes I see the posts about the lodge discriminating against certain breeds. I’m pretty confident there is a legal reason, probably insurance related. I do know that my insurance company will drop me if I get a Pit or Pit Mix, Rott., or other certain other breeds. Sadly this is just the way it is for many homeowners and businesses that choose to allow dogs. Not the businesses’ fault, but the fault of the few irresponsible owners/​breeders that harm the reputation of the breed.
Loved my stay, and I will return for a very easy way to experience the beauty of the Laguna’s at a moments notice!!!

These clowns are all kinds of RUDE.
Have been going here for several years. Grew up down the hill in Pine Valley, nice to come back and hike around my old stomping grounds. The cabins are OK. Very basic, not very private, but still a decent place to come back and sleep when done exploring the mountains. Thats it, no frills, fair enough. Recently have found a nice cabin rental in Julian so have been staying there for the past couple trips. Came here on Saturday to get a forest adventure pass (ripoff placard) and was reminded what total dickheads these guys are. Was greeted by a grey haired fat man yelling at my girlfriend about our dog being too close to the patio. Went into the store for a nice dose of condescending treatment and a couple of strange insults from the other wing nut that works there. It was funny too, the grey haired fat guy came back inside after yelling about the dog and straight up GLARED at me silently with a tough guy face the whole time in the store. Will never come back.

If it wasn’t for the actual surroundings being so awesome these people would go out of business due to their horrible customer service. the owner (tom) needs to learn how to interact with normal human beings. john is nice but tom ruined the entire experience. come prepared and stay below the lodge store and save your self the agony of horrid customer service.

This is a warning for pet or dog owners interested in staying there. This place says «Any pet deemed unacceptable by Management will be required to be immediately removed from Lodge property. No Refunds!» and «pit bulls, Mastiffs, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows & Rottweiler’s (including mixes of the above) are not permitted». All quotes are taken from their website.
Does not seem like a very «pet friendly» place to me. How about the note from my vet that says my dog is great with animals, cats and people, and the fact that she *IS* a husky mix that looks like a pit-​husky mix? Would you kick us out and take our money? So because we rescued a dog that was going to be put down in a high kill shelter, we will be discriminated against?
It’s not good business to «decide» that they think your animal does not look «ok» enough to stay there and then refuse to give you a refund.
Let’s stop stereotyping our sweet, loving dogs and put the responsibility on the owners.
No business from me. No thank you.

Wow! Wish I had read the Unilocal reviews of Mount Laguna Lodge before I booked. If you are reading this and have not put your credit card down, don’t do it! We have traveled a lot, from camping, RV, boating to vacation rentals or hotels. We are not hard to please but have reasonable expectations for a place that is listed as two dollar signs and charges 280 dollars for two nights for a two bedroom cabin which included a small dog fee. This place is ridiculously overpriced first of all, and a horrible place to stay, period.
The inn keeper is as rude as the other reviews have said, and when we could not make the first evening due to storms, we called not to ask for a refund or anything but as a courtesy to let him know. He was a jerk on the phone just as he had been when we made the reservation.
Although we had a stand alone cabin so we did not have to deal with sharing walls with other parties. But the pleases stopped right there. The place is just dirty, in severe need of soap and water, scrubbing, a coat of paint and simple updating. My dog had a great time eating bugs from the floor, and I added a photo here of one of the big bugs on the blinds. The guys who own these are milking them dry, clearly not reinvesting money in the business in any way. The towels are ancient and rough as loofahs, the rugs ripped and mended with gaffers tape. The mattresses are the worst, and I only slept about two hours after dosing with melatonin.
There is a kitchen but not one glass or dish, although they could outfit them for under 100 dollars from a Goodwill. But it is clear that they do not care about your comfort or your experience in anyway. It is hideous to think how much we paid for this heinous experience that would have been overpriced at 50 dollars a night. Please do not stay here. These folks don’t need anymore encouragement but should sell to someone values and welcomes the opportunity to take care of people for a night or two in exchange for taking their money.

The guy who works the cash register here must be some kind of magician. Somehow we went through an entire transaction, as well as my entrance and exit of the store, and he didn’t look at or speak to me a single time! *Abracadabra*
I had visited here once before with friends and he was not very pleasant, but I figured maybe he was just having a bad day. Nope. He talked with another lady the entire time I was in the store, and seriously seemed to go out of his way to ignore me. Didn’t even glance at me, just stuck his hand out for my money and looked the other way.
I had just finished a hike, so I thought about what this guy’s problem might be: A) He hates hikers. If so, he chose a really terrible place to live. B) He is incapable of doing two things at once, which is why he could never stop talking with the other lady in order to look at or speak to me. C) He’s just an ass. D) All of the above.
I think it’s probably C, but I’m gonna go with D because it makes him look like an even bigger ass.
Maybe he thinks it doesn’t matter because he’s the only game in town, but I know that next time I go hiking up here, I’m bringing everything I need and avoiding this place like a vegan avoids In-​N-​Out.

not a great deal of choices up here as far as cabins go… this is THE place to stay. Laguna Mountain Lodge is a great weekend getaway without really leaving San Diego!
there are motel units, and 1, 2, & 3 bedroom cabins… i have stayed in a motel unit (before i had kids b/​c they do not allow kids at all)…why? well the reason they say is because the walls are thin and that kids would disrupt adjoining units…
we have also more recently stayed in the 1 bedroom cabin… the place is just big enough to squish the 4 of us in here…
the cabins are tiny… nothing fancy. but an indoor and inexpensive way to stay up in the mountains… absolutely amazing on a snowy day!
the lodge finally has a facebook (because their website is pretty basic)…facebook has weather and road condition updates and they constantly post pics! this is great! i guess they grew tired of people calling to ask those same questions… which i must say they always happily let me know how much snow there is and what the roads are like…
customer service is excellent!
there is a small convenient store in the lobby for last minute needs…
cabins have kitchen equipment to cook for yourself
i would like to get a 2 or 3 bedroom cabin over a snowy weekend next year (require a 2 – 3 night minimum sometimes)