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

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

October 20, 2009 05:12 PM

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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Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

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

Oct 21, 2009 03:24 PM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

www.iCharlotteHomes.com | The Maxwell House Group | RE/MAX Executive | (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The right Charlotte REALTOR!

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 21, 2009 03:38 PM

Tori Stamps

Stamps Realty - Franklin, TN

MA JD - Broker/Owner Franklin TN Homes for Sale

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

Oct 21, 2009 05:30 PM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired Real Estate Professional

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.

Oct 21, 2009 07:45 PM

Linda Metallo DiBenardo

RE/MAX Impact, Lockport, Illinois - Lockport, IL

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

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

Oct 21, 2009 11:35 PM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

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... :-)

Oct 22, 2009 01:43 AM

Patricia Aulson

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH

Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

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

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Oct 22, 2009 02:18 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

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

Oct 22, 2009 03:22 AM

France and Mark Clausen

Realty Austin - Dripping Springs, TX

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.

Oct 22, 2009 03:41 AM

Aaron Vaughn, REALTOR© 830-358-0455

eXp Realty - Canyon Lake, TX

My knowledge is your power | eXp Realty

What a great post. Thank you!

Oct 22, 2009 03:41 AM

Leslie Prest

Leslie Prest, Prest Realty, Sales and Rentals in Payson, AZ - Payson, AZ

Owner, Assoc. Broker, Prest Realty, Payson,

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

Oct 22, 2009 05:35 AM

Stephanie Reynolds

Integrity First Financial Group, Inc. - Santee, CA

East County San Diego Homes 619-838-4408

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!

Oct 22, 2009 05:42 AM

James Lyon

Vista Pacific Realty - Sacramento, CA

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

Oct 22, 2009 08:20 AM

Shari Song

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services - Federal Way, WA

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

Shari

Oct 22, 2009 09:21 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

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 22, 2009 02:08 PM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired Real Estate Professional

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 23, 2009 07:01 AM

Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer

Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

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

Oct 23, 2009 09:14 PM

Sara Abbas

Realty Austin - Cedar Park, TX

CNE, CDRS - 512-522-4990

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!

Oct 27, 2009 05:13 PM

Anonymous

Maria

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.

Nov 10, 2009 08:20 AM

#29

Wayne Johnson

Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX

San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Jeff-This was a few years ago, but I'm thinking the area is probably still the same, but housing is maybe a bit more expensive now.

Sep 20, 2012 02:04 PM

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