Santa Ysabel General Store
The Man and I decided to take a little road trip this past weekend. Things have been so busy and we were both looking forward to a getaway. A long drive in the country was the perfect escape.
One of the unexpected pleasures of road tripping is finding hidden gems along the way. Those places you don't intend to come across but are so glad you did.
The Santa Ysabel General Store is just such a place.
The adobe and wood frame commercial building was built in 1884. It had been a grocery, dry goods and feed store, a post office, and barber shop among several others. It was a vital business during the gold rush days of rural San Diego county. It was recently purchased by the Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) and has been restored to it's former glory.
They have stocked the shelves with the most wonderful items. From pantry staples and local honey to delicious teas and gourmet salts…their selection is top notch. I could tell they had a keen eye for quality products and fantastic packaging.
The wood stove in the center of the store was so charming. And I loved their piles of wood, evergreens and kindling ready to keep the fires burning.
The store is operated by the non-profit SOHO and the income received goes to the upkeep and preservation of the building and other projects. Adjoining the shop is the Backcountry Visitor Center which provides free guides and trail maps to local rivers, deserts and mountains.
If you're ever in the area, I hope you'll stop by for a visit. And if you can show your support by liking their Facebook page, I know they would be grateful.
I just love when people decide to take action to preserve the history and soul of their community.
Santa Ysabel General Store
30275 Highway 78
Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
760-765-1270
Open: Friday to Sunday 11-5
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29 Responses to “Santa Ysabel General Store”
I want to go! That is gorgeous, and as always, your photography is fantastic! xoxo
Friends and I visited a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed the store’s ambiance and Alana’s knowledge of and enthusiasm for the store’s history and merchandise. And I LOVED that Chocolate Mexicano!
wow. what a fun stop on a weekend road trip! so bright and cheery and nostalgic. Beautiful products!
Heather..
thanks for sharing this gem! Adore their interior look – keeping with the olde!!
Shari {Goat Hill Fair}
Wow! Thank you for sharing. Just lovely!
fabulous…thanks for the heads up!
Oh Heather…thank you for posting and reminding me that places such as these little gems still exist! I always love looking through your eye. Ya make me happy.
You have done it again Sweet Heather…. I always feel I’ve been traveling along in your pocket and getting a personal peek of all the lovely people and places you discover and share while out on one of your adventures. I’m sure my hubby would have a good time as your does so I have compiled a little list of book marks from the places you’ve shared…. so we can experience these lovely people and places in person on day real soon……
Thanks for sharing…. I can’t wait to plan our Heather adventure trip.
Warm regards,
Karla
We are travelling to the San Diego area in March and will definitely add this to our agenda!!! Thanks SO much:) Any other spots we should see? I know Balboa Park is another place to visit when we’re there.
What a beautiful place! It looks like Ike Godsey’s from the Waltons! I would love to go there- thank you for sharing!
What a find! We have a place in Carlsbad we go to to escape the Phoenix summer heat. Usually I’m in a huge rush to get there, but this summer, we’ll take a detour off I8 before El Centro and swing up to CA-78 just to check out this gem! Thank you for sharing. 😉
I love the whole premiss of the SOHO. Totally awesome. They certainly did that store right and your photos are just the best as always. Thanks for sharing your find. I’m certain the man didn’t even mind waiting while you took pictures.
Please make sure you check out the Santa Ysabel Art Gallery right across the street. Really quality work.
Great coverage of the Country Store in San Diego’s back Country. I hope everyone reading will now understand that in San Diego “Life isn’t always a beach”, it’s back country too!
While out in the back country of San Diego as well as visiting Santa Ysabel Store make sure you also visit the historical outpost, The Warner Carrillo Ranch House built in 1857 which served as the Butterfield Stage Stop. Make sure you get some apple cider or pie from the Julian area. Because of the unique micro climate of the mountains, which typically gets snow fall in the winter and cool crisp temperatures, apples can be grown in Southern California and the area is famous for them.
Awesome restoration work! They don’t make general stores like that anymore! So important to support local shops/farms!
I have my eye on an old petite bank in our area……it has amazing architecture. I love seeing places restored and in use! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this general store//
xo
kara
What a charming place to visit! I too love seeing places preserved and restored. They’ve done an amazing job.
Save Our Heritage Organization in San Diego has done an excellent job on the Santa Ysabel store, truly re-creating the general store it once was. As a fourth-generation San Diegan, I appreciate the preservation that this group works endlessly. Thanks for posting such wonderful photos – your pictures truly let people feel like they’ve visited the place themselves!
Love the history of the building, so so charming,great idea they had for selling the ribbon.
What a nice surprise to see your photos of the Santa Ysabel Store in it’s renovated glory. My husband’s family owned this store back in the early 1900’s (Moretti & McIntosh Mercantile) We live in Julian, but still get our mail at the Santa Ysabel Post Office across the street from the store.
Just BEAUTIFUL Heather! Ciao Rita
I would love to run a general store someday! This one is so charming. Thanks Heather for sharing with us.
Hope you’re enjoying your weekend.
Best,
Lisa
this store is just darling, like you stepped back in time! hope all is well! susan
Oh, my! What a wonderful place, and your photos are fabulous. I need to figure out how to get there from Iowa!
OMG! How absolutely devine!
Wow, really want to go there, looks so great. http://www.perfectring.ie/
Don’t forget to stop by Dudley’s Bakery. The Cheddar bread is a revelation, especially when toasted.
This is so neat. Reminds me of the country store on the Waltons. Thanks for sharing. Throughmyporchwindow.blogspot.com
Wow! Great place, I’d love to own a place like that. I’m a new follower of your great blog!
Susan
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