Julian

Think San Diego County and it’s easy to picture beaches, palm trees, and fish tacos. But drive an hour inland and you encounter a distinctly different locale: the mountain town of Julian, which has an abundance of both gold history and apple pie.

Where Is Julian?

The small town sits in the “East County” region of San Diego County, poised between the coast and the desert. Set at an elevation of 4,226 feet in the Cuyamaca Mountains, Julian was founded by two Civil War veterans who came here from Georgia—one named Mike Julian. Gold was discovered here in 1870, which inspired a small rush to the area. Apples, planted for income after the gold ran out, still thrive in surrounding orchards, and now the town has turned into a magnet for apple pie fans as well as local painters and craftspeople.

 

 

 

 

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Things to Do in Julian

Delve Into History

Eagle Mining Co.: Take a one-hour tour through the remains of the 1870 gold mine that helped put Julian on the map. Walk through the underground mine, check out the old equipment still inside, then try your hand at gold panning—a surprisingly subtle and challenging art.

Julian Pioneer Museum: Explore this museum set in a former blacksmithing shop. Peruse the old photographs and exhibits of vintage clothing, a Victorian-era piano, and an original Julian City buggy and sleigh. Go to the corner of 4th St. and C to check out the former Julian Jail: The small concrete jail was built in 1914 for short-term incarcerations (usually involving bar brawls) because prisoners had kicked their way through the roof of the wooden version.

MORE: California’s Amazing Wildlife Sanctuaries

Shopping in Julian

Spend the better part of an afternoon browsing the shops along Main Street, like the souvenirs at Julian Mercantile or the books at Julian Book House. Check out the home goods at The Warm Hearth, the Western fashions at Pistols & Petticoats, and quirky gifts at Julian Garage, set inside the town’s first gas station building.

Be sure to step into the California Wolf Center, just off Main Street, to learn about local wolf packs and conservation. Shop for nature-themed gifts or book a tour to meet the resident pack at the nearby conservation facility.

Where to Eat Apple Pie in Julian

For many visitors, tours and shopping are all a precursor for pie. There are a number of pie shops in Julian, a few found along Main Street., where you can order a whole pie or just a slice, served with ice cream, whipped cream, or even an old-fashioned slice of cheddar.

• Julian Pie Company
•  Apple Alley Bakery
• Mom’s Pie House (which also has a second location on Highway 78 outside town)

If apple isn’t your favorite, worry not—they all offer other flavors, like cherry, strawberry rhubarb, pecan, and more, either with flaky or Dutch crumb tops. For another bakery stop, don’t miss Dudley’s on Highway 78 in neighboring Santa Ysabel, famous for its date nut raisin bread (though they also do sandwiches, pastries, and yes, pie).

MORE: Great U-Pick Farms in California

Go Apple Picking in Julian

To harvest your own apples, visit the u-pick orchards and fruit stands selling crisp apples outside town. Julian Farm & Orchard, about 3 miles from downtown, makes a great first stop. The 25-acre sustainable family farm typically harvests apples in September, shifting to pumpkins in October. The farm also has a play area for kids, hayrides, and a gift store. Check the farm’s website or social media for the latest crops available and whether you would need to make a reservation (you often do for apples). Early spring brings daffodils for the picking,  while summer brings opportunities to gather berries and sunflowers.

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Hikes In and Around Julian

For a good leg-stretch, visit Volcan Mountain Preserve, where trails lace native grasslands and oak woodlands, or take the challenging hike to the summit of 6,512-foot Cuyamaca Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. For more panoramic views, take the Desert View Trail in William Heise County Park.

Where to Eat and Drink in Julian

You’ll find plenty of pre-pie meals around downtown Julian:

• Classic Comfort Food: The menus at  Julian Café & Bakery, right on Main Street, span  breakfast, lunch, and dinner—including fried chicken and chicken pot-pie turnovers—as well as apple pie.
• Family-Friendly Diner Fare: Sit down in the heart of town at Miner’s Diner, with its chili, classic diner fare, and an old-school soda fountain. 
• Beer Garden with Pub Cuisine:  Enjoy barbecue, pizza and burgers paired with local beers on tap at Julian Beer Co. Or enjoy some of the 16 beers on tap at the tasting room and beer garden at Nickel Beer Co.  
• Authentic Mexican Cuisine: Quecho serves tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, and is named after the owner’s hometown Mexico
• For Drinking Your Apples: Enjoy the ciders and meads from Calido Ranch & Cidery and Storum Ranch Cider & Wine. 
• Local Wine: Taste wines at Menghini Winery, or join in the early September grape stomp at its Julian Grape Stomp Festa.

MORE: Where to Go Apple Picking in California

Where to Stay in Julian

You can stay in a charming hotel right in the heart of town, or a short walk or drive away. Consider these options:

• Classic B&B Vibes: Julian Gold Rush Hotel, which first opened in 1897 and still exudes Victorian charm
• Mellow Independent Hotel: Julian Lodge, where rooms are furnished with antiques
• Modern Boutique Hotel: Orchard Hill, a modern, boutique-style hotel a short walk off Main Street that offers rooms and cottages as well as spa treatments, yoga classes, and guided horseback tours.
• Cabin Camping:  Sleep under the stars at William Heise County Park and Lake Cuyamaca, which both offer basic cabins

Plan Your Trip to Julian

A stop in Julian makes a colorful part of any trip around San Diego County. Check out these other towns and neighborhoods in San Diego, or consider traveling a little farther east to explore the desert wildflowers and public art at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Julian is also a stop on these three curated road trips by Visit California: the San Diego Challenge Tour; Animals, Desert, and Offbeat Art; and the SoCal Stargazing Tour.