Rural Areas

Ranch offers petting zoo, summer camp and Airbnb experiences

By Mimi Pollack

Photo:  baby goats named Daisy Duke and Billy the Kid

February 18, 2025 (Jamul) -- With his friendly smile and warm blue eyes, Farmer Pat [as he likes to be called] welcomes you to Jamul Trails Ranch, a little oasis in Jamul. Pat and Kim Dillon have built a nice life for themselves and now want to share it with others.  

They opened Jamul Trails Ranch, where both children and adults can enjoy a variety of events involving their farm animals, including baby chicks and silkies, bunnies, guinea pigs, goats, mini-donkeys, horses, ducks, a tortoise, and a noisy goose. As stated in their press release, they want to be “East County’s premier destination for petting zoo tours, educational field trips, kids’ aquarium workshops and as an event and party venue. 

They want their ranch to be the place “for those seeking a rare combination of animal experiences, knowledge, hands on opportunities and natural beauty. This ranch provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the best of ranch living."

Photo, right:  a female donkey named Noel

In 2015, Kim and Pat’s daughter bought the ranch in Jamul. Several people boarded their horses there, so it continued to be a horse ranch. In 2019, she moved out of state and sold the place to her parents. Kim and Pat continued boarding horses there and brought in other farm animals.

In Spring of last year, they opened as a petting zoo and event venue. Families have brought their children there to have parties, play games and enjoy the animals while learning about them.

According to their press release, Jamul Trails Ranch wants to be a place that provides the following key features.

• Seasonal Events: Experience your next party surrounded in a festive ranch setting with friendly animals at the Premier Petting Zoo in San Diego! The ranch offers a variety of event spaces ideal for weddings, corporate retreats, holiday parties and social gatherings, with breathtaking outdoor backdrops.
• Kids Birthday Parties: Enjoy time meeting our ranch animals.  Our basic experience will expose you with intimate time spent with our animal friends.  Feed, hold and pet them all on a guided tour by Pat. Great time to take pictures to document your guest’s visit.
• Educational Field Trips for Groups: A great experience for preschoolers, and young kids up to about fifth grade! Pat, your guide, will lead you through the Petting Zoo tour with his knowledge of living and growing up on a ranch!  You will feed, hold and pet all our animals! Designed for larger groups.The ranch is safe and clean with restrooms and handwashing facilities.
• Private Family Petting Zoo Tour: The Premier Petting Zoo in San Diego! Enjoy time meeting the Ranch animals on a tour led by Pat.
• Kids Aquarium Workshop Party: Coming in February 2025, an educational aquatic experience. Tour Jamul Trails Ranch’s fish room and learn the basics of fish keeping and the science behind it. Everyone will build and decorate their own fully functioning fish tank, then catch their own fish to put in it. The tanks have a light, filter system, and water change system. All systems are USB driven so it is safe to put in the kids' bedroom. You also receive food and full instructions.  In addition, Pat also raises some unusual fish originally from Venezuela, called Endlers. Endlers are known for their beautiful colors.

Photo, left: a baby colt named Ringo

This summer, they will have day camps for kids. During the camp, participants will work with donkeys, horses, rabbits, geese, ducks, chickens, tortoises and fish. They will participate in all aspects of keeping the ranch running.

Farmer Pat, who grew up on a working ranch, will lead the camps with an educational focus, teaching children the basics of ranch work, animal handling and feeding, horse care, basic horse-riding skills, egg collection and pancake and egg cooking. Fun activities and crafts will also be incorporated into each day.  In addition, they will have the added experience of running a full fish room with over 200 tanks. Campers will arrive city slickers and go home asranchers! 

City Slickers Day Camps are available from June 15 to August 15, from 9 to 3. They will offer early drop-off and late pick-up options.

On the day that I went to visit, I had a great time. Farmer Pat is wonderful with both people and animals and kept my interest with all his knowledge and interesting tidbits. I also got to pet and /or hold baby chicks, beautiful bunnies and guinea pigs, mini donkeys, a pair of goats, several horses and a baby colt whose coat felt like velvet. It is obvious that he and Kim take pride in what they do. 

As Kim says, “Our goal is to become a haven for kids that don’t have access to animals and ranch life! We’d like to become a really great place for families to celebrate birthday parties or just a day on the farm at our petting zoo tour. It’s our way to give back to the community!” 

Finally, they have also opened two Airbnb units for people to rent and enjoy time on the ranch. They say it has been a great experience, and they have met people from all over the world.

Their website is: Jamul Trails Ranch
 

Photo, left: Farmer Pat

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Merle Wakefield and Alvin Quarles have been conditionally released into  Campo and Borrego Springs.

February 16, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The Sheriff’s department has sent warning notices to residents in Borrego Springs and Campo, announcing that two sexually violent predators have been conditionally released into these communities.  The court has ordered Liberty Healthcare, which runs the state’s conditional release program, to continue seeking permanent placement for the two men.

Alvin Quarles, 62, is now in Borrego Springs.  Known as the “Bolder than most” rapist for making spouses or partners watch, he was convicted of a series of rapes in the 1980s. He served 25 years in state prison before being committed to Coalinga State  Hospital. Quarles was initially to be placed in Campo, but the state has instead opted to place the other offender, Merle Wakefield, in the Campo home instead.

Wakefield, temporarily in Campo, was convicted of lewd acts on a child in 1981 and rape by means of force, violence or fear in 1990.  Prior efforts to place Wakefield at homes in Mt. Helix, Borrego Springs, and Poway failed after massive community opposition,  either by a judge rejecting the placements or the state rescinding the placement location.

While on conditional release, both men must abide by stringent conditions and will be monitored via GPS and security on a round-the-clock basis.

Another SVP, Alan Earl James, was placed in the Campo home last year, but state hospital officials have requested that his outpatient release be revoked. A hearing in James' case is set  for Tuesday. If a judge rules against revoking James' release, Wakefield would have to move again.

February 15, 2025 (Spring Valley) -- The Casa de Oro Alliance invites members of the community who have been affected by flooding to a community dialogue to help bring the community together and build resilience.

The event is Tuesday, February 25 at San Diego Youth Services’ auditorium, 3845 Spring Drive, Spring Valley, CA 91977, starting with free tacos (for those who RSVP) from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by an interactive discussion and activities from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This event is co-sponsored by the Spring Valley Community Alliance, San Diego Youth Services, and Dr. Allison Brownlee at Stronger Together Community Services.

The event page states, “Are you concerned about flooding, water runoff, or inadequate storm channels in our community? Are you frustrated that “nothing seems to get done”? Let’s come together to build solutions!”

Please RSVP. 

East County News Service

February 9, 2025 (Jamul) -- The Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group is seeking funds from San Diego County’s Department of Public Works to develop a community park in Jamul. While exploring potential locations for the park, the Planning Group has launched a survey asking community members what features they would like to see in the new community park.

“As we explore potential locations for this park, we want to ensure it meets the needs and desires of our community,” an email from the planning group states. To take the survey, click here.

East County News Service

January 28, 2025 (Jamul) -- Robert Hobbs sent in these images of the Border 2 Fire, which burned over 6,500 acres after starting on Otay Mountain in San Diego County on Jan. 23.  These photos were taken Jan. 23 and 24 from Jamul.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: screenshot of aerial video by ECM news partner 10 News shows military troops with razor wire at a staging site in the South Bay, as troops prepare to deploy to fortify U.S. - Mexico Border and aid in Trump crackdown on border crossings.

January 26, 2025 (San Diego) – A tough crackdown on immigrants has begun, after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the Southern Border. On Thursday, 1,500 active-duty military troops have been deployed to patrol the borders in San Diego and San Antonio, Texas, with the first soldiers arriving Thursday. 10 News shot footage showing troops, including hundreds from Camp Pendleton, arriving at staging area in Imperial Beach along with concertina razor wire, tents, and military trucks.

Yet according to Associated Press, data doesn’t back up Trump’s contention of an “invasion” of immigrants.  In fact,  AP reports, “arrests for illegal border crossings plummeted more than 80% to about 47,000 in December from an all-time high of 250,000 the same period a year earlier. Arrests fell by about half when Mexican authorities increased enforcement within their own borders a year ago and by about half again when former President Joe Biden introduced severe asylum restrictions in June.”

Immigration sweeps have also begun across the nation, striking fear into immigrant communities as Border Patrol agents in some areas reportedly demanded documentation of everyone stopped, including citizens. Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, told Fox News that ICE arrested over 308 “serious criminals” in the first 24 hours after Trump took office.

One day later, Newsweek reports, Trump’s Acting Secretary of Homeland Security  Benjamine Huffman lifted a long-standing ban, now allowing ICE to target immigrants in sensitive locations including schools, churches and hospitals.

In addition to fortifying the border to block crossings by migrants, including many seeking asylum and fleeing violence or persecution, Trump's administration has disabled the app which formerly allowed asylum-seekers to apply online without crossing the border, effectively blocking all asylum efforts, NPR reports. 

That violates international law. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, "Seeking asylum is a human right and every person in the world has the right to apply for asylum if they are fleeing conflict or persecution. They must not be expelled or returned to situations where their lives or freedoms would be in danger. This is the principle of non-refoulement which is enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention."

The Justice Dept. under Trump has also ordered prosecutors to “investigate any government officials at the state of local effort who refuse to enforce Trump’s immigration policies,” according to Newsweek, putting local officials in the hot seat, since state law prohibits cooperating with federal immigration officials except for turning over criminals convicted of a specified list of serious crimes. 

In recent days, immigration sweeps have been occurring across the nation, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and other major cities.  Details from Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been sketchy, with names released only for a few serious criminals.

But reports across the country suggest innocent people including citizens and even Native Americans are being stopped and harassed by ICE.  Newark, New Jersey’s Mayor Ras Baraka issued this statement on Jan. 23: “Today, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided a local establishment in the City of Newark, detaining undocumented residents as well as citizens, without producing a warrant. One of the detainees is a U.S. military veteran who suffered the indignity of having the legitimacy of his military documentation questioned. This egregious act is in plain violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees ‘the right of the people be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures. Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized. I will be holding a press conference in alliance with partners ready and willing to defend and protect civil and human rights.”

The Arizona Mirror reports that Native Americans have been unlawfully stopped and detained by ICE. 

““We now know that Navajo people and enrolled members of other tribes are being detained in Phoenix and other cities by ICE,” Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said during a committee meeting on Thursday. “The reports that we have received indicate that we need to coordinate an operation or some type of response to help our enrolled tribal members here on the Navajo Nation.”

Navajo tribal leaders reported that they received calls and text messages from Navajo people living in urban areas who have been stopped, questioned or detained by ICE. Those reports sparked outrage among Navajo Nation Council members and prompted a detailed discussion of the topic during a Naabik’íyáti’ Committee meeting.

“These raids have sparked significant fear, especially among tribal members in urban areas who face challenges with documentation,” the Navajo Nation Council said in a press release.

California has 2.4 million undocumented immigrants, the most of any state, the Los Angeles Times reports. Many farmworkers are staying home, terrified of being detained or deported after recent raids, New Republic reports. ““We’re in the middle of our citrus harvesting,” Casey Creamer, president of the industry group California Citrus Mutual, told CalMatters. “This sent shockwaves through the entire community. People aren’t going to work and kids aren’t going to school. Yesterday about 25 percent of the workforce, today 75 percent didn’t show up.”

San Diego County has an estimated 170,000 undocumented immigrants. In an interview with CBS 8, Pedro Rios with the American Friends Service Committee warned of potential economic impacts if large-scale removals were to occur. "It would mean that suddenly we wouldn't have people in the service industry” he said, also voicing concerns over separation of children from parents. “We wouldn't have people in the agricultural industry. We wouldn't have people that are professionals that touch every aspect of our life,” Rios said.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of Cal Fire

Update January 30,2025 10 a.m.-- All evacuation orders have been lifted.  The fire is 100% contained.

Update January 29, 2025 9 a.m.-- The Border 2 Fire is now  90% contained, as rain helped firefighters' efforts. Cal Fire says there is no risk to the public or structure threats.

Update January 27, 2025  12 p.m.--   The overnight shelter at Cuyamaca College has closed.  All evacuation warnings remai lifted.  Some evacuation orders remain in effect in areas west of highway 94.  For map, see: https://x.com/SDSheriff/status/1883974136143438278/photo/1.  

Update 7:45 p.m. -- The fire is now 40% contained, per Cal Fire.

Update 5 p.m.-- All evacuation warnings have been lifted.  Some evacuation orders remain in areas west of 94. Use caution when reentering, as firefighters are still at work.  

Update 1 p.m.-- State Route 94 is reopened; evacuation notices for Dulzura, Honey Springs, and areas east of 94 have been lifted; these areas will be repopulated. Otay Lakes Rd. remains closed.  To see maps of the affected areas, visit: http://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html and https://protect.genasys.com/fullscreenMap?z=12.130495228944708&latlon=32.6039234736639%2C-116.84992723452149….

January 26, 2025  8:30 a.m.— Firefighters held the #Border2Fire to 6,625 acres overnight and 10% contained. State Route 94 remains closed between Honey Springs Road and State Route 188.Tecate Rd.  Evacuations remain in effect; view current evacuation areas: Genasys Evacuation Map.  1,117 personnel are fighting this fire.

Experts are looking at the soil in the fire’s perimeter to evaluate if there are any mudslide concerns and will work to mitigate those if they arise.

Cal Fire held a virtual community forum last night which can be viewed here. Cal Fire reports good progress on the fire, especially on the west side near Chula Vista  Due to improved conditions, the Sheriff reports that jail visits will resume at the 3 Otay facilities.

On the east side and near Doghouse Junction, crews are constructing a containment line to prevent the fire from moving east towards Dulzura, Marron Valley, and Mexico.

.On the south side of the fire, there is some open line on the fire, but resources are working in arduous terrain to combat it. On the southwest side, ground crews and dozers continue to build line to prevent the fire’s spread.

Officials urge the public to not fly drones near the fire, including in the areas of Eastlake, Otay Ranch, Dulzura. Flying drones prevents aircraft from flying and dropping water/retardant on the fire.

Rain that began overnight should last through Tuesday off and on, which should help firefighters’ efforts particularly with grasses and smaller vegetation.

Per Cal Fire, the number one priority is getting people back to their homes once it is safe to do so.

An evacuation center is at Cuyamaca College’s gym, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon.

Sign up to receive our free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts.  You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter.

East County News Service

December 18, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- Today, legislation authored by Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) to place 172 acres of land in East County, San Diego into tribal trust for the Jamul Indian Village passed the House and heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law, after a companion measure authored by Senator Padilla previously passed in the Senate.

The Jamul Indian Village has sought for years to bring tribal members back onto their ancestral land – so they can raise their families, carry forward their culture, and add to their history,” said Rep. Issa. “This is the right thing to do, and it empowers not government, but individuals, to take new charge and best care of their lives. This Fee-to-Trust bill provides that opportunity, securing Jamul’s land, preserving its sacred sites, and protecting Kumeyaay traditions for generations to come. My thanks to Senator Padilla and Congressman Vargas for their support in pushing forth this important legislation.” 

Update January 25, 2025- The fire had modest growth overnight and is now 6,500 acres, per Cal Fire.

Update 8:15 p.m.-- Per CalTrans, State Route 94 is closed in both directions between Honey Springs Rd. in Jamul and State Route 188 (access road to Tecate) due to the fire.

Update 5:55 p.m.-- The fire is now 6,272.7 acres per Cal-Fire. The mandatory evacuation area has been extended to some areas east of State Route 94.

January 24, 2025 (Jamul/Dulzura) -- Evacuation orders and warnings for the #Border2Fire now extend to immediately south of Jamul Casino, including areas east and west of State Route 94, and significant portions of Chula Vista.  Photo left is as of 1 p.m.; click this link for latest evacuation areas and hit the plus sign to enlarge to view details: https://app.watchduty.org/camera/2231   Also see another map here:  https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/23/border-2-fire.

The fire, which started on Otay Mountain yesterday,  is now 5,389 acres and 10% contained per Cal Fire.  An Evacuation Center has now been set up at: Cuyamaca College 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon, CA 92019. 

The Sheriff has suspended visits to county jail in Otay Mesa including George Bailey and Rock Mountain detention facilities as well as the East Mesa Reentry facilities.  Currently inmates are sheltering in place but there is an evacuation plan in place if it becomes necessary, the Sheriff advises.

Sign up to receive our free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts.  You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter.