If you are up for learning more about the Southern California area and things to do on a beautiful fall day...read on. If not, well you know where the delete key is by now.

Fall is here in Carlsbad, and despite what those of you in colder climes think, we DO have a change of seasons. It is NOT always sunny and 80 degrees in San Diego. Indeed, we are having dinner in front of the first fire of the season in the living room (yes, it's gas).

READ MORE: Fall is in the Air in Carlsbad, California

Yesterday was a spectacular day and time for our annual jaunt to Julian, California for fresh apples (if you know anything about New England, or live there, you know the passion we New Englanders have for everything apple in the fall and getting them from an orchard is part of life in New England in October). As a transplant from New England, the need for apples from an orchard in fall doesn't go away, and Julian is THE PLACE for apples. The trip is always fun and we get to enjoy the inland empire and different sights and topography than we are accustomed to here along the Carlsbad coast (and I get to take a few hours off from work...well, not totally since I get emails on my Blackberry).

I always discover something new, and you might too...so let's go

The route from Carlsbad to Julian is state route 78, heading east from the coast into Escondido. The road becomes a bit more rural once you leave Escondido (lots of fast food, apartments, rural housing, car dealerships, orchards along the way). The mountains and valleys are dramatic, with a few good sized orchards along the way, past the San Diego Wild Animal Park (great place to visit BTW) and into the San Pasqual Valley. You climb into the hills with terrific views of the barren mountains and the valleys far below on a winding 2-lane road until you reach Ramona.

READ MORE: The Original Old Town Ramona Antique Fair

After leaving Ramona you drive for a number of miles through some gorgeous countryside with ranches, orchards, a large egg farm and other interesting sights. The road also wends its way through the Witch Creek area where we had the devastating fires, which is not so pleasant, and sobering reminder of last year's disaster.

The next real town is Santa Ysabel (population 430). There is a cool art gallery here, a great antique shop, a Julian Pie Factory and Store, a wonderful hand-loomed gifts store, and if you head left you reach Mt. Palomar in about 20 minutes (you will pass, just past the heart of this tiny town, the Santa Ysabel Asistencia, a small mission that is worth stopping by.

About 7 miles past Santa Ysabel up the mountain to about 5000 feet you hit Julian. Before the town center you will come across a retail area, with a wine tasting place, some markets, and touristy stuff. About 1 mile from town we ran into traffic backed-up, not a big surprise given the Julian Apple Days Festival which runs from September 15 through November 15. LOTS of folks in town, so be prepared if you decide to go on the weekend.

Before reaching town we took a side road to go grab some apples - we were lazy so we just handpicked from the bins rather than opting to pick from the trees as a bunch of other folks were doing. I've done enough apple picking in my life with the kids that it didn't matter.

Lunch was at The Julian Grille, just to the left of the town center. Definitely worth a visit (we have been there several times, both lunch and dinner) - there is indoor and outdoor seating - and the menu is admirable. It was really crowded, as were all the food places, with waiting lines everyone we went (especially at the Julian Pie Store and Mom's where folks waited for pie).

After waiting 25 minutes the couple at the miniscule bar left and we secured a seat there (it seats 4) and had a good chat with Michael, the bartender, some terrific fall salads and enjoyed the people watching.

There are some fun shops in this ex-gold-rush town, a bunch of eateries, some popular B and Bs, and it's a pleasant place to spend the afternoon. If you have time tour the nearby mines. The weather was chilly and they were expecting temps in the 30s that night...just like New England in October. Across the street from The Julian Grille is a very cool shop with home made candles (one of our annual holiday gifts) and soaps, some antiques, and other collectibles - a constant flow of folks was testimony to the popularity of this small but eclectic shop. The owner has now turned part of her home into a gallery, Julian Images, which was an impressive collection of small paintings, and photographs by Graham Wilder.

Despite the traffic and waiting for lunch it was a fun day, with some memorable sights and time to enjoy some of what Southern California has to offer from the mountains on a fall afternoon.

Enjoy the tour!

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360
or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits