Steele Canyon Abandoned Homes | Jamul, CA

Warning : the Steele Canyon abandoned homes are a no trespassing zone. There are several signs along the trail that clearly state this. Explore at your own risk as this area is not only off limits but also highly dangerous.

There is something truly fascinating about discovering a home that has been left for ruins in the middle of nowhere. Immediately stories start to circulate. In the case of the Steele Canyon abandoned homes, some say they were once a psych facility. Others say the homes burned down in a fire. Residents in the Steele Canyon Estates community will tell you that the homes were owned by an old man who died during their construction.

There isn’t much certainty around what exactly happened to these extravagant homes. From the stained glass to  the sun shades, one thing is certain: these homes were built for luxury. The other thing that is certain is these homes were built somewhere around 1992, according to a serial number found on a water heater installed in one of the homes. And the homes were still standing in 1994 according to historic imagery from Google Earth.

Now, the homes have been left for ruins. And worse than ruins. It looks as though a small tornado swept through their insides and gutted them completely to be more precise. The land, owned by the Agricultural Preserve, has since been disrespected with graffiti, broken glass, and beer bottles. Clearly, it has become a maven for illegal activity: yet another reason why you may want to stay away. However, when we explored, we were the only souls there.

The abandoned homes lie in the hills above an affluent area of Jamul, known as the Steele Canyon Estates and directly above the Steele Canyon Golf Course.

To get to them, you need to park near the Steele Canyon Golf Course, and walk through the residential neighborhood to a gated entrance. The entrance clearly states “No Trespassing” so enter at your own risk. They sit atop McGinty Mountain, which is also home to abandoned mines and caves. In addition to the one main house and two guest houses, there is also a tennis court and pool.

For the sake of keeping this gem as preserved as it can be and to avoid anyone getting injured from exploring these unstable gems, I will not provide directions to this destination. Instead, you can follow in our footsteps and follow the embedded pictures to find your treasure.