Yuletide Medieval Festival from La Mesa, Alpine or Julian

The short answer

The Yuletide Medieval Festival is in Lakeside, at El Monte County Park, 15805 El Monte Road. It isn’t in La Mesa, Alpine or Julian, but all three are within easy driving distance, and every route finishes the same way: about 4 miles east along El Monte Road from Lake Jennings Park Road to the park.

Distances below are road miles from OpenStreetMap routing. We don’t quote drive times, because holiday traffic and parking vary; leave a cushion, especially if you have a feast seat.

From La Mesa (about 16 miles)

From La Mesa Village, the routing follows the freeways through El Cajon:

• Take I-8 east toward El Cajon.
• Exit to SR-67 north (the San Vicente Freeway) toward Lakeside.
• Exit at Mapleview Street and turn right (east); Mapleview becomes Lake Jennings Park Road.
• Turn right on El Monte Road and follow it about 4 miles to the park.

From Spring Valley and Rancho San Diego (about 15 to 17 miles)

• From central Spring Valley (about 17 miles): SR-94 to SR-125 north, then I-8 east and SR-67 north to the Mapleview Street exit, then Lake Jennings Park Road and El Monte Road as above. An alternative stays on SR-125 to SR-52 and joins SR-67 in Santee, about a mile longer.
• From Rancho San Diego (about 15 miles from the Jamacha Road area): Jamacha Road (SR-54) into El Cajon, East Main Street to I-8 east, exit at Lake Jennings Park Road, go north about 1.8 miles, then turn right on El Monte Road for about 4 miles.

From Alpine (about 13 miles)

Alpine is the closest of the four, and the route is simple. Take I-8 west from Tavern Road and exit at Lake Jennings Park Road. Head north on Lake Jennings Park Road for about 1.6 miles, then turn right on El Monte Road and continue about 4 miles east to the park entrance.

Alpine residents can easily come for an afternoon and evening on a Saturday, or pair a Sunday at the festival with an evening skate at the Viejas Outlets rink back home.

From Julian (about 45 to 46 miles)

There are two sensible routes, almost the same length by road, and both start on winding mountain highways:

• Via Ramona (about 46 miles): SR-78 west from Julian to Ramona, then SR-67 south to Lakeside, exit at Mapleview Street, then Lake Jennings Park Road and El Monte Road.
• Via Cuyamaca and I-8 (about 45 miles): SR-79 south through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park to I-8, I-8 west to Lake Jennings Park Road, north about 1.6 miles, then El Monte Road.
• After a winter storm, Caltrans may post chain controls on mountain highways; check Caltrans QuickMap before you leave and carry chains that fit your tires.
• On a Saturday the festival runs until 8 pm and sunset is around 4:40 pm, so expect a long drive home in the dark; a Sunday (until 6 pm) gets you home earlier.

Parking and the shuttle

Parking is bought online as an add-on with your tickets; it is not admission, so every guest 11 and older still needs an admission or feast ticket.

Accessible parking is available on request by email at info@yuletidemedievalfestival.com.

• General Shuttle & Parking, $10: park off-site and ride a shuttle to the festival.
• Fairgrounds Premium Parking, $35: limited, so buy early if you want it.
• The shuttle lot location and hours are not yet published. Call (858) 864-0020 or email info@yuletidemedievalfestival.com before your visit and write the answer down.

Which day suits you?

• Saturdays, December 5 and 12, 10 am to 8 pm: the longest day, with the St. Nicholas Feast at 6 pm and the last hours after dark. Best for La Mesa, Spring Valley and Alpine visitors who don’t mind a night drive.
• Sundays, December 6 and 13, 10 am to 6 pm: an earlier finish, with the feast at noon. Often the easier choice from Julian or with small children.
• Coming from Julian? Leave time for mountain roads in both directions, and check road conditions the morning you set out.

Tickets

Tickets are sold online by day on the Events page; your confirmation arrives by email and you show it at the gate.

• Adult admission (11 and older): $35.
• Military or 65+ admission: $30.
• Children 10 and under: free, no admission ticket needed.
• General Admission with the Feast: $110; St. Nicholas Feast: $85; Kids Feast (under 10): $65. Seats are limited to 100 per day (20 for kids).
• Parking add-ons: $10 General Shuttle & Parking or $35 Fairgrounds Premium Parking (limited).

Before you leave home

• There’s no cell coverage at the park: screenshot or print your ticket and parking confirmations, and download an offline map.
• Bring cash. ATMs are on site, but vendors may not be able to take cards if the festival Wi-Fi goes down.
• Agree on a meeting spot, such as the Guest Services booth at the park entrance, in case your group gets separated.
• Pack warm layers and rain gear: the festival runs rain or shine, and evenings get cold.
• Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Questions