The family-owned farm-to-table restaurant, located at 4354 Highway 78, announced its farewell in an emotional message to customers, thanking longtime guests and staff while reflecting on nearly two decades of service in San Diego’s mountain backcountry. The closure marks the end of an era for a restaurant that helped redefine what dining in rural East County could look like.
Founded in 2008 by then-21-year-old chef Jeremy Manley and his mother Teresa Stilson-Keller, Jeremy’s on the Hill transformed a former roadside eatery into an award-winning culinary destination. What began with secondhand furniture from the family’s former Angel’s Landing Country Inn and modest lines of credit grew into a nationally recognized farm-to-table restaurant that drew diners from across San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles, and beyond.
A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, Manley built the menu around a seasonal, locally sourced philosophy long before “farm to table” became industry shorthand. He forged relationships with area farmers and ranchers, served grass-fed meats and sustainable seafood, and incorporated produce grown just steps away from the restaurant. In partnership with his brother-in-law Joshua Rasmussen of Down the Road Farms, the team cultivated “Jeremy’s Garden,” providing chemical-free produce that was among the most hyper-local in the county.
The restaurant became known for elevated yet approachable California-style cuisine influenced by regional Mexican flavors and European technique. Seasonal entrees ranged from grass-fed steaks and fresh catch preparations to vegan and gluten-free offerings, including popular quinoa bowls and inventive vegetable-forward dishes. The restaurant’s pastry program and specialty desserts were also a draw.
Jeremy’s sister, Brigida Rasmussen, played a key role in shaping the front-of-house experience. A Certified Level II Sommelier, Rasmussen curated an extensive wine list with an emphasis on local and regional wineries, helping pioneer a local wine movement in Julian and Ramona at a time when many backcountry restaurants leaned heavily on mass-market selections. She also taught wine classes and strengthened partnerships with area vintners.
Beyond the dining room, Jeremy’s on the Hill became deeply embedded in the Julian community. Following the Cedar Fire and subsequent wildfire seasons that repeatedly impacted the region, the family volunteered at the town hall and supported displaced neighbors. The restaurant participated in school lunch programs, prepared approximately 200 meals per day for Julian students, and later launched a COVID-era meal delivery program serving Julian, Ramona, Warner Springs, and Borrego Springs. Fundraisers and community events were frequent, reinforcing the restaurant’s identity as more than a business.
In its farewell announcement, the family highlighted the restaurant’s broader legacy, from feeding firefighters camped at the base of their property to providing extra meals for Mennonite crews rebuilding homes after fires. They credited grandparents, staff, and longtime patrons for sustaining the business through economic downturns, wildfire evacuations, and the pandemic.
At its peak, Jeremy’s on the Hill was widely regarded as a rare example of destination-level cuisine in rural San Diego County. Media coverage over the years frequently noted that diners were surprised to find such refined, sustainably driven food “in the backcountry.” The restaurant’s 50-seat interior, large patio, and oak-shaded outdoor dining area made it a favored venue for weddings, car clubs, reunions, and anniversary celebrations.
In recent months, ownership transitions within the family signaled change. Teresa Stilson-Keller shared that she had stepped away from daily restaurant operations and, along with her husband David, purchased the nearby Julian Mining Company property, relocating family members to the site. As of publication, no successor restaurant has been announced for the Highway 78 property.
Jeremy’s on the Hill was located at 4354 Highway 78 in Julian’s Wynola district.
Originally published on February 20, 2026.
Jeremy’s sister, Brigida Rasmussen, played a key role in shaping the front-of-house experience. A Certified Level II Sommelier, Rasmussen curated an extensive wine list with an emphasis on local and regional wineries, helping pioneer a local wine movement in Julian and Ramona at a time when many backcountry restaurants leaned heavily on mass-market selections. She also taught wine classes and strengthened partnerships with area vintners.
Beyond the dining room, Jeremy’s on the Hill became deeply embedded in the Julian community. Following the Cedar Fire and subsequent wildfire seasons that repeatedly impacted the region, the family volunteered at the town hall and supported displaced neighbors. The restaurant participated in school lunch programs, prepared approximately 200 meals per day for Julian students, and later launched a COVID-era meal delivery program serving Julian, Ramona, Warner Springs, and Borrego Springs. Fundraisers and community events were frequent, reinforcing the restaurant’s identity as more than a business.
In its farewell announcement, the family highlighted the restaurant’s broader legacy, from feeding firefighters camped at the base of their property to providing extra meals for Mennonite crews rebuilding homes after fires. They credited grandparents, staff, and longtime patrons for sustaining the business through economic downturns, wildfire evacuations, and the pandemic.
At its peak, Jeremy’s on the Hill was widely regarded as a rare example of destination-level cuisine in rural San Diego County. Media coverage over the years frequently noted that diners were surprised to find such refined, sustainably driven food “in the backcountry.” The restaurant’s 50-seat interior, large patio, and oak-shaded outdoor dining area made it a favored venue for weddings, car clubs, reunions, and anniversary celebrations.
In recent months, ownership transitions within the family signaled change. Teresa Stilson-Keller shared that she had stepped away from daily restaurant operations and, along with her husband David, purchased the nearby Julian Mining Company property, relocating family members to the site. As of publication, no successor restaurant has been announced for the Highway 78 property.
Jeremy’s on the Hill was located at 4354 Highway 78 in Julian’s Wynola district.
Originally published on February 20, 2026.