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A Day Trip to Julian California - Apple Country in the Mountains

We took part of the day on Friday (on one of the most beautiful afternoons we have seen in a while, with temps in the low 90s due to the Santa Ana winds) to visit Julian California, about 50+ miles from Carlsbad in the mountains just outside the Cleveland National Forest.

Julian is an old gold rush mining town (there are still mines you can visit) and it retains much of the charm, the old homes and buildings, and the atmosphere of those times (there's even a couple of horse drawn buggies to enjoy).

At the same time, however, it has also become quite the tourist attraction for folks from all over Southern California.

At 5000 feet above sea level, Julian feels dramatically different from coastal Southern California, with lots of pine trees, and the town is known for its apples and the famed Julian Apple Pie Company, with multiple orchards and a popular winery.

Julian California

There is the Main Street, and a number of side streets which offer an array of shops (e.g., Mustang Sally's), eateries (The Julian Grille is a favorite) and services, along with the famous pie company outlet, and the town is small enough to easily walk in its entirety in 1 day.

There are several charming and popular hotels and B and Bs which make a stay in Julian overnight well worth the trip through the mountains. Know that it can get quite warm in the summer but during the winter temps can get cool enough for snow and frost.

October is the busiest time, especially on weekends because of the Apple Days Festival and other events (the high school homecoming and parade was happening when we were there), and it can take time to get into the heart of town and park at peak tourist times.

Being a REALTOR, I couldn't help but stop by the windows of some of the local brokerages to check out the real estate - prices are better than at the coast, but not actually inexpensive, depending on what you want. There is quite an array of property for sale in the area, from cabins to luxury homes with dramatic mountain views, ranging in price from about $45,000 up to almost $3 million.

If you are looking for a fun place to visit and explore in the mountains, or have a hankerin' to buy (or picl) apples, head for Julian California.

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Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 on 10/21/2009 12:12 AM

Comments (28)

Things to Do in the Regional (Localism) Channel

julian, southern california, things to do, things to do in carlsbad, things to do in san diego

Originally posted at: Carlsbad Real Estate News and Views: A Day Trip to Julian California - Apple Country in the Mountains

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28 Comments on A Day Trip to Julian California - Apple Country in the Mountains

OCT

Oh yes I have been there many times. I love the apple pie and the area. I've even shown properties there.

Jeff, I first learned about Julian and its pies in the 1990s when my daughter attended University of San Diego -- I never made it there, though. I should add it to my dream list.

Jeff -

I've bookmarked this as an example of a solid community post. Thanks. I now feel like I've been to Julian.

Julien sounds awesome Jeff. I am certainly envious here about your weather too!

Tim - it IS a fun place to visit, isn't it?

Lottie - we actually heard about it through friends back East before we even moved here in 2005.

Jim - what a nice compliment. Thank you!

Bill - yep the weather was pretty wonderful. I have been watching the snow if other areas...not enviously, and thankful I am where I am.

Jeff

Jeff - I am embarrased to say as a native SoCal gal, I have never been to Julian. Thx for the suggestion though and next time hubby and I have the same day off and we're looking for a nice day trip close to home, we just may check out Julian. :)

LOVE the slideshow! The stores made me want to go there. They have a whimsical feel to them, and I love anything with even a touch of whimsy. And I'd love to go pick apples, and taste some apple wine.... sounds like a great day! =D

Jeff..What a delightful way do spend the day.Your presentation is wonderful .I am still waiting for a Hollywood director to discover you ..:0)

HELPFULHANNAH your friend in Philadelphia

Jef

I love general stores like the one on the picture; brings back memories of place in Wisconsin I have visited.

Sounds like a nice relaxing trip . Love to visit it someday.

Hi Jeff! GREAT Localism post and sounds like a place that I would LOVE to visit! The old country shops are fun to visit when we're headed to the mountains--and I would definitely HAVE to visit the Apple Pie store!! :-)

OCT

Yummm... Julian! I spent many a days there when I lived in San Diego. Apple Pie & Cinnamon Ice Cream! *drool*

Hi Jeff, One day apart, I went Saturday. I went out on this trip for specifically one reason, two actually, OK, three. I called ahead this time to order my Mountain Berry Pie with the Julian Pie Shop. Got it, ate it and now I need another one. I also went to buy fresh cider. The place I usually buy it from was completely sold out-all they had left was the BerryApple cider. Sooooooooo, not to be deterred I asked around . Ok, I am up for a drive and ended up at the Wynona Orchards and got a gallon on the way home. It was by far the best stuff I have ever tasted. Nothing like anything I have ever had before. Drinking it was a GOLD STAR moment. I may just want to go in the resale market for this liquid Gold. My 3rd reason for going was to go down into the mine and take more pictures for my Julian photo collection. As you may remember I have quite a collection of them already. I had no idea where the mine was so I went into a REALTOR's office at the far end of town and low and behold it was right up the street. Hurry they said, it may be closing. Down the dirt trail I went with pock holes almost big enough to swallow a truck. "Closed" it said on the gate. So I will go again and get the darn pictures that are alluding me of the mine which will complete all the photos of the city and nearly every person that lives there, hehehe. Got the pie and got the cider. As they say 2 out 3 ain't bad for a days work. If only I had gone on Friday when you went, we could have saved some gas, lol.

PS, If I didn't write these darn long comments, I could post more often.hehehe Actually I have been working on a presentation for ActiveRain for the last 2 days that is one of the best things I have ever presented in the Rain.

What a delightful day trip Jeff. I think I'll go bake an apple pie.

Linda Metallo, Re/max Impact, Lockport, Il.

Jeff, this is indeed a well-written localism post. I enjoyed reading it .... as I felt I was right there at the "mall". I would love to have a piece of apple pie right now... :-)

Hi JEff, I wish it weren't so far away....I love to come visit and enjoy apple pie with you!

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Hi Jeff,

Wonderful post, for all the time wie have lived in California, we are still amazed by all the possibilities. Perhaps when we are at NAR, we will take the time to get a piece of apple pie, one of my favorite desserts. All the best, Alexandra

Wow you really made me homesick. We moved from San Diego to Austin about 3 1/2 years ago. We used to run up to Julian as soon as the weather cooled down. for apple pie and hot chocolate. Then as soon as there was snow in the mountains we head back to go sledding. Great memories.

What a great post. Thank you!

We used to live in Yuma, and visited Julian every Fall. I have pictures from there when my kids were little. Great place.
Leslie

This is such a great place, we visit many times during the year. Apple pie to die for and the antique stores have me hooked for hours. Either way up, from the 8 or the 67 is a beautiful ride! I wish we could get up there more often. Thanks for the slide show! I need to get up there soon!

Wow, that is a great post with pictures and video and everything. The town looks great too, thanks.

Thanks for sharing your story and lovely photos. It is a delightful and well-done post.

Shari

Donna - well shame on you. You NEED to go sometime.

Lisa - it's a pretty neat little town. And so different from where I live along the coast. A bit of nostalgia for New England.

Hannah - got any connections?

Tom - me too. There are several out here in other towns that remind me so much of those I loved back in New England.

Terry - it was great fun. And it got me away from business for a good part of the day.

Debe - I think you would love visiting, from what I have gotten to know about you. :)

Donna - oh, yea, that works. With a brandy in front of the fire.

William - dude, you ATE a WHOLE PIE? Or was that over several days. LOL. I would love to see the photo collection. We haven;t done the mines yet but someday. Everytime I go, though, I can;t help but think of the fires. :(

Jeff

OCT

Hi Jeff, I did. Ok, it was over 3.5 days and I enjoyed over morsel. The fires darn near got but thankfully this community that has survived for well over a century made it with only a little damage that didn't hit the main part of town. I went to Virgina City , an old west town, much bigger than Julian. And it is authentic as well. But as big and nice as it was , there is something about Julian's smallness that is so appealing. The orchards of course help the town survive financially but there is something there that can't be described in words. Love the place!

If you like cider though, I was not kidding about what I got from Wynona Orchards. Obviously having it all my life, I have never tasted anything that could compare to it. It is very opague, almost has a thickness to it. Amazing!

OCT

I guess I'm not going to be doing a Julian post anytime soon! LOL

OCT

I lived in San Diego for a few years and visited Julian often for the beautiful drive, cute shops, and amazing apple pie. Thanks for the reminder of what a great place it is to spend a fall afternoon!

NOV

Hello Jeff,

Thanks for your post. Julian is such an amazing weekend destination. I love to go there just to get a fresh apple pie!

On the Fox Rent A Car Blog we wrote a similar post about Julian. We like to give insights on what to see, and off the beaten path things to do in different cities. We include dinning and lodging info to guide travelers and help them plan their trips.

Thanks again for sharing.

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