Peaceful 1920s Cozy Cabin snuggled in 100 ft Pines -Palomar Mt, Bailey Meadows

Q: Is Peaceful 1920s Cozy Cabin snuggled in 100 ft Pines -Palomar Mt, Bailey Meadows pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Q: Where is Peaceful 1920s Cozy Cabin snuggled in 100 ft Pines -Palomar Mt, Bailey Meadows located?

Situated in the mountains, this cabin is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from Palomar Mountain State Park and within 9 mi (15 km) of Palomar Observatory and Palomar Mountain. Harrah's Resort Southern California and Casino Pauma are also within 20 mi (32 km).

10/10 Excellent

Jacob

Jun 30, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication

Spectacular cabin experience! From the moment we arrived, everything was clean, well-stocked, and clearly cared for with love. The peaceful surroundings, crisp mountain air, and towering trees made it feel like we were truly escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life. The cabin itself was warm, inviting, and had all the comforts of home, plus a few special touches like board games and a perfect deck to enjoy morning coffee while listening to (and feeding) the woodpeckers. The location is fantastic. Just minutes from amazing hiking trails, yet still secluded enough to feel like a private retreat. Highly recommend this gem for anyone looking to relax, reconnect with nature, and enjoy some peace and quiet. Thank you, Martin!

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph F.

Jul 2, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hiking and Downtime

Enjoyed the cabin and the downtime and relaxation. The charm of the cabin was appreciated. Wonderful deck to relax on. The variety of birds were a joy to watch. Loved watching the quail with its covey come around in the afternoon. Closeness to Palomar State Park was a plus. Was able to hike early morning and go back and check out the sunset from there. Wish I would've stayed longer

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Jun 1, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Gem in Palomar

We wish we could have stayed longer. We spent most of our time relaxing in the sunroom enjoying the view of the majestic pines and birds. It was fun just to imagine how life is back then at this location. Lilac is sure not Ritz-Carlton, but we loved it for its charms, coziness and location. Thank you Martin for being such a great host and we look forward to be back.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maureen R.

Jul 14, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Secluded cabin

The cabin is remotely located, a perfect place to go for rest and quiet. The kitchen has a gas stove, microwave and dishwasher, even an instapot. We stayed in July, and it was warm (83 degrees F, 28 degrees C) every day. There's no AC, but open windows and fans kept us cool. The bathroom is tiny, with a shower, no tub, but everything worked fine. I use a rolling walker, and it wouldn't fit in the bathroom or bedroom, but there were enough places to grab onto to stabilize my body and get around. It is a beautiful, rustic place.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine K.

Dec 16, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy, rustic Lilac was amazing

Martin’s cabin, the Lilac, was perfect for our weekend away. It was easy to get to and check in was simple. Make sure to read all of the information provided before arrival since there is no cell signal. This cabin was cozy, rustic, and a hidden gem on Palomar Mt. Upon arrivals the cabin was clean and very chilly. After about 30 min with the gas fireplace turned on we were very comfortable in our t shirts. There were lots of movies and games, so we were never bored. About 15 minutes away is the CalTech Palomar Observatory which was very cool to see. Martin was very respondent and helpful when we had questions prior to booking and during our stay. He genuinely cares about the cabin and looks for ways to make your getaway special. We will definitely be back soon!

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris Z.

Jul 17, 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Lilacs is perfect for a relaxing mountain stay

Thanks for hosting us at The Lilacs cabin on Mt Palomar. We truly relaxed while staying -- the setting is so peaceful, surrounded and shaded by huge cedars and oaks, and visited closely throughout the day by woodpeckers, jays, pigeons, quail, and other birds. This century old cabin glows with character, from its patchwork quilt-like additions, to its mildly skewed floor, to its eclectic decor items. The cabin reminded us of other homey houses of similar vintage -- it was immediately comfortable. The kitchen / bathroom / laundry are completely modern while still fitting the cabin's vibe. The large deck gives a great view over the forest -- we could only wish the few neighboring cabins were even fewer, but, hey, others like it up here, too. Being only 5 minutes drive from Palomar Mountain State Park, it was easy to go hiking each morning and return to enjoy relaxing in the afternoons. Thanks again!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Peter P.

Feb 27, 2013

Snow-capped Mount Palomar vacation

We couldn't get to the cabin the first night our our five-night stay because a blizzard dumped a foot of snow at the top of the mountain. But we made it to the cabin the next day, and the snow made this 100-year-old cabin feel even more remote and cozy. Because of the snow, we couldn't park near the cabin, but we were there for hiking, so it was part of the adventure. I'd summarize this rental as precisely like borrowing the rustic family cabin of some friends. It feels like they stepped out yesterday, very personal in every aspect and decoration. This is a great basecamp for taking some serious (or undemanding, as you prefer) hikes in the very nearby (and highly recommended) Palomar State Park. Once the snow had passed, the views were stupefying--including that most rare of sights, a clear view of Catalina, so near you could reach out to it. Bear and lion tracks, lots of deer sighted, plus wild turkeys and lots of cool birds. Be sure to eat at Mother's (nearby; good vegetarian food; great people watching) and shop next door at the General Store. The cabin is not the Ritz and shouldn't be. But you'll enjoy a genuine wilderness experience if you stay here.

10/10 Excellent

Francisco P.

Apr 25, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent experience

We loved the rustic cabin. It was exactly what we were looking for and what was written on the description. It is located in the forest. It is quiet, calm, with lots of nature all around. Great if you are looking to relax in the outdoors. Our host was excellent and responsive to all our questions. Would definitely go back.

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Josh F.

Apr 3, 2025

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gerald B.

Nov 27, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and Rustic

A great place to get away from it all.

Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Larry S.

Jun 16, 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical

The cabin was definately something special. We didn't expect the beautiful surroundings and morning birdsong to be that perfect. Much bigger than it seems in the photos and everything you could possibly need. Cozy but so much space to move around. Clean and welcoming. Perfect for our couples escape. Recharge and lazy or go wandering on exploration hikes. Seriously magical. We will be back. Bring food n drinks. Everything else youll need is there and the owner is lovely. Thank you.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Joseph L.

Jul 18, 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tranquility and peace

We decided to come for 3 days break during July 4th and it was a delighrful experience. We enjoyed to be in the cabin because it broughr us to a rustic, simple and yet family connection. Martin was of a great help. Very much accessible and attentive to our needs. We enjoyed a lot having our breakfast with the birds on the porch. We're definitely willing to return and have a wonderful family vacation. We highly recommend it.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Sheldon N.

Oct 10, 2016

Rustic-an accurate description

We just stayed there for one night. Directions were easy, just follow the signs posted when you get to Bailey's and you can't really miss it. The cabin itself is very quaint, you can tell it is a very old structure with lots of period decorations that make you feel like it was trapped in time. They have lots of games and old DVD's to keep you busy if you don't want to just hang out on the deck and listen to the woodpeckers. Kitchen and bathroom facilities were nothing fancy, but perfect for what we needed. There was no firewood around, so we had to fire up the propane heater inside. Kind of wanted to enjoy the fire-pit outside, maybe next time. The place could use a little TLC, just a good cleaning and a little paint here and there. The bathroom ceiling is moldy from moisture. We didn't use the pillows because they had this crinkly plastic cover on them that made them pretty much unusable. Woke up at about 3AM to squirrels running across the bedroom ceiling which continued for about an hour, guess they're getting ready for winter too. With a little bit of work this place could be much better while still maintaining it's character.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sherry S.

Oct 5, 2015

Amazing time

My fiancee and I stayed here in July and had the most relaxing time. I loved the old charm of the cabin and the solitude was just what we were looking for. We were so happy we could bring our dog with us it made the trip even more perfect. I can't wait to go back. The owner was so nice and helpful. He even called us the first day to make sure we got there ok and to make sure we had everything we needed. The cabin is almost 100 years old so you have to expect not everything is going to be perfect. I love this place and cant wait to return. I will be renting it for a friends wedding next July and hopefully will return sooner then that!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mar 27, 2015

Lovely

One word describes the Lilacs...FANTASTIC! After looking at the pictures on this site for a month, during a drive home from work I got a wild hair and decided to try to book a night or two on a whim. Martin was VERY easy to work with. We made all of the arrangements on my drive home, I executed the documents an hour later, and three hours later checked in. The cabin is perfect. It's very rustic, full of character making it one in a million. The place was very clean. I did not notice any pet hair as the previous poster indicated. The BBQ was filled with gas. We immediately threw on a couple of steaks, opened a bottle of red, got the fireplace blazing & candles lit, no cell phone, no Internet. Need I say more? In the morning we were greeted with stunning views. Beautiful, colorful birds everywhere & a deer grazing down by the pond. We opted for a brisk morning hike, then down to Doane pond for the rest of the afternoon. This place is perfect & we will be frequenting The Lilacs as often as possible.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Oct 15, 2014

Great Experience!

Had a great experience! The cabin has everything you need to getaway from a fast city life.. Everything was in good working condition Lots of attention to detail My favorite part was the authentic fireplace which made it a real cabin in the woods experience. Took my dog and she was safe and enjoyed relaxing on the deck @ back. I liked dealing directly with the Owner who was very helpful and made sure I found the cabin Plus gave me lots of tips on what to do during my stay @ Palimar Mtn. I would stay there again without hesitation Thanks Martin!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

wendy h.

Oct 13, 2014

Beware!

Maybe June was a bad month, but I TOTALLY agree with Paul's review. Martin was a nice guy, but NO info was given about check in procedure. I assumed the 'care taker' ( I use the term loosely since it appeared no care had been taken of this place) would be there, but she wasn't! We had to drive half way down the mountain since there is no reception at the cabin and thank goodness I was able to contact Martin because it was 8 PM and we had very tired cranky kids! We finally got in and were severely disappointed! It. Was. Dirty. Really. Really. Dirty. I have kids, so I am by no means used to spotless! but it honestly looked as if it hadn't been cleaned in quite some time. We were told to 'leave things at least as nice as we found them' when we left. It would appear that is all the cleaning that gets done here. The fridge had some strange pellet looking things in the drawer and we never figured out what it was. We had to clean lots of cobwebs up. The floor was so slanted my 2 year old nephew lost his balance and hit his head on the wall. Also, don't make the mistake of asking the guy at the first house once you hit the dirt road where the cabin is (remember we got NO instructions for check in and that included no directions). He was literally the rudest person we've ever had the dis pleasure of running into. My husband, who is the nicest person you'll ever meet nearly punched this man when he began insulting his mother. In the end, my sister and brother in law left a day early. Once they left, we decided to go to the Marriott and try to redeem this vacation. I really do hate to leave such negative feedback, but t was truly the dirtiest, most disappointing place we've ever stayed!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

Paul R.

Sep 3, 2014

Really Rustic!!!

My wife and I spent two nights in this not so 'cozy romantic cabin, in June 2014. We spent the first afternoon cleaning the kitchen in order to eat without having the fear of becoming sick. The refrigerator had a fowl odor obviously from left over foods and really needed cleaning. The cabin floor is sloped downhill giving one the sensation that the structure is about to fall over the cliff. The floors were covered with debris and an abundance of animal hair of various colors and lengths. After one evening in the cabin, our socks were totally soiled and full of animal hair. Cobwebs along with dust decorated the windows, walls and ceilings. It appeared that fallen leaves had not been removed from the balcony in weeks.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Aug 27, 2014

A Peaceful Retreat

We loved our weekend at the cabin! There is great hiking trails nearby and a good restaurant down the road. The bed was very comfortable and we got to bring our dog along. We sat on the patio and the temperature was nice and cool. I liked it much better than big bear or Idyllwild. Martin the owner called to see how our stay was going. The fireplace was super cozy!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jul 24, 2013

Mountain Retreat - Fresh Air and Quiet

We loved our stay at the Lilacs cabin. It's a great getaway from urban chaos. It's quiet, and the air is clean and fresh, and the drinking water is fantastic. We loved the peace and tranquility of the area. Sue, the resident caretaker, was both helpful and unobtrusive. We found the cabin clean and welcoming upon our arrival. This is more of a destination cabin - Palomar is quiet and relaxed. We visited both the Palomar Observatory and the state park nearby, but the best part of our stay was just kicking back at the cabin and enjoying the many birds and the fresh air. We were able to bring our dog, something we really appreciated.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Laura A.

Jun 12, 2013

Charming and Spacious Cabin, with one flaw

This would be a 5 star review for a really fantastic experience, but there was one issue. I rented the cabin for a girl's weekend away. It was an great process to work out the rental agreement, and I felt confident we could get to the cabin and find the keys. All my questions were answered in a timely manner. Sue greeted our first car of girls and was very helpful showing us the lay of the land and helping us find the parking down the hill. The cabin itself was really charming and surprisingly spacious. The sun room was where we spent most of our time and it was so comfortable and had a great view. The beds were great for a cabin, all the rooms were nice and clean, there were tons of blankets, the loft was great and really, everything met or exceeded our expectations. However, we were a group of 10. So while we were prepare to clean up after ourselves, we weren't really prepared to do ALL of our own dishes. When we had finished our first meal and I went to load the dishwasher, I discovered a post-it on the inside telling me it was broken. If I'd been informed of this in advance I might not have been so caught off guard and bothered. We manned up and did all our dishes and left things as we found them, but it was bothersome to me enough that it bumped it down to 4 stars. So, if you care, ask if the dishwasher has been fixed when you go to rent. Other than that, this place really was AWESOME. And our group is seriously thinking about making this a yearly destination.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah A.

Oct 11, 2012

A perfect cabin-in-the-woods weekend!

At the last minute I decided to surprise my husband with a little weekend getaway for our anniversary. I booked our stay only a couple of days in advance, which wasn't a problem. We live in Los Angeles, so the goal was to go someplace green and quiet. This cabin was exactly what we were looking for - cozy, charming, and rustic. We stayed two nights, cooked all our meals in the kitchen (and on the grill), and played cards together on the couch at night. Our eight-month-old son came with us and he was happy as a clam. We loved seeing the starry sky at night and falling asleep to the sound of frogs and crickets. Part of what keeps the prices so reasonable is that you're asked to wash your sheets and towels in the washer prior to leaving. An easy request and we were happy to do so. We would certainly come back and stay here again. One note - the curtains in the bedroom are rather lightweight and do not do well at keeping out the morning sun (a must for our easy-to-wake eight-month-old). Thankfully we planned ahead, just in case, and brought heavy fabric panels that we hung over the windows. It did the trick!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

May 7, 2012

The perfect weekend

We just got home from an amazing weekend at the Lilac's. There were 8 of us and the cabin had more than enough space to accomidate our group. The cabin itself is like going back in time. It is filled with wonderful pieces of history that give it a warm feeling that reminds me of my grandparents cabin in Colorado. It has such a homey feel that you are immediatly comfortable. There is a great loft for the kids and a place outside where you can sit around the fire in th evening. During the day you can hear woodpeckers and at night you can hear the owls. The cabin itself sits on a hillside and the views are incredible. Martin was kind and patient with me during the reservation process and always got back to me promptly when I had questions. There is a guestbook filled with wonderful comments from past campers sharing their experiences.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

Dec 2, 2011

Thanksgiving in Hell.

My family and I wanted to stay in a cabin for Thanksgiving this year, relaxing away from the city. We booked our stay at the Lilacs cabin in September. Upon our arrival, the caretaker of the cabin was very surprised to see us; she had no idea we were coming. The owner had actually double booked the cabin. The caretaker told us a family of 15 had arrived earlier that day and left an hour before we showed up. She admitted to us that the family had left early because the place was filthy. If they had not left, what would we have done? Share the cabin with them?? The cabin was very dirty, spider webs everywhere you looked, dust on everything, mice droppings all over the floor and later that night we found out there was even mice droppings on the bed in the master bedroom. When we showed up we were immediately disappointed but we decided to try and make it work since it took us 2 hours to get here...It was Thanksgiving day and we had to start cooking. We were looking forward to the loft that was described oh so nicely, but we were let down. It just had an old mattress with some dirty looking sheets and blankets. The bed wasn't made. Their were huge spiders in the kitchen pots and pans, hair tangled in the shower drains, dead bugs and mice droppings on the bed and between the "cleaner" sheets. We were afraid to sleep there, it was disgusting. I thought about sleeping in the car, but it was freezing outside. The bathroom floor mats were slippery and could be dangerous. The photos listed here are not accurate and we would never recommend this property to any of our family or friends. My family and I were supposed to stay for 3 days....we left after one night.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

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Mar 15, 2010

The Lilacs is an eclectic...

The Lilacs is an eclectic, cozy, and comfortable home away from home. It is located on a fairly secluded road surrounded by a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. But it is also exactly centered between the corner general store and restaurant and the entrance to the State Park, so you never feel too far away from anything. My favorite part was sitting in front of that beautiful fireplace with some music and a bottle of fantastic red wine. The owner is also a pleasure to deal with. No need to look anywhere else on Palomar Mtn - you will love this cabin, guaranteed! We will be back!

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