Julian Day Trip What To Do and See

Julian Day Trip Fun Things To Do

Julian, a historic gold mining town, is 60 miles east of downtown San Diego in the mountains. Once a booming hub during California’s gold rush, this rustic but charismatic hidden gem retains much of those times’ charm and atmosphere.

Its shops range from tawdry tourists to small-town fixtures like hardware and drug stores, antique malls, book boutiques, and restaurants. Julian is a popular year-round day trip. Although the apples are the biggest draw to Julian regarding other fun, there is plenty to do.

Things to Do in Julian, California

Julian’s downtown district, which includes the main drag and several side streets, is an excellent place to start your day trip. Downtown is only about three blocks long and four blocks wide, making the town small enough to walk in its entirety in a single day easily. Most days, there is plenty of parking on the main street, but you might have to walk a few blocks during the apple harvest.

Julian Pie Company “The Best Apple Pie in Town”

Julian Pie Company is appropriately named for its specialty, apple pie, and this is no ordinary pie shop. It is a sweet oasis and includes a variety of pastry pleasures, including a Dutch apple with a crumb top, boysenberry apple crumb, natural strawberry apple, and apple rhubarb pies, to name a few. Julian Pie Company has two locations, Julian and Santa Ysabel. Website.

Apple Alley Bakery Fresh Pies

Apple Alley Bakery is a little mom-and-pop restaurant in Julian. They sell strudels, cookies, and cinnamon rolls along with fresh pies. Lunch is served from 11 am to 3 pm and consists of sandwiches, soups, salads, chili, and apple pie. They also have a lunch special with half a sandwich, soup or salad, and a pie slice. Address 2122 Main Street.

Mom’s Pie House Snack, Pastries, and Pies

It’s all about the pie at Mom’s Pie House in Julian. You can watch them preparing pies through the front window. Once you get inside, you will be greeted with racks of freshly baked pastries. Whole pies, a slice of pie, or pie with ice cream. They also serve lunch, coffee, apple cider, and soft drinks, but most people come for freshly baked pies. Located on Main Street, you can’t miss it. Website.

Julian Pioneer Museum Learn About the Town History

Discover the rich history of Julian, from its native American roots to the Gold Rush era. The museum is in the old blacksmith shop, brimming with a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia. Although the museum is small, the staff is an exceptionally knowledgeable team of volunteers who are experts in the region’s history.

Nickel Beer Company: A Wide Selection of Brew

We know you came to Julian for apples, but stop at the Nickel Beer Company if you love craft beer. Nickel features an exciting beer selection from light to dark, including seasonal Apple Pie Ale. Nothing fancy here, but if you’re in the mood for a beer, stop by the Nickel Beer Company.1485 Hollow Glen Road, 1/2 mile east of downtown Julian. Website.

Eagle And High Peak Mine Company Tour a Gold Mine

Offers mine tours where you go deep into an absolute gold mine. If you have claustrophobia, you may want to give this tour a pass and check out the small on-site museum while the adventurous in your group take the gold mine tour. Halfway through the tour, your mine guide will turn out the lights and let you experience pitch black inside a gold mine. The mine and museum are located at 2320 C Street, just outside town. Website.

Julian Mining Company – Kids Activities

Julian Mining Company is a fun stop if you have children on this trip. Activities include panning for real gold, a petting zoo, and berry, apple, and pumpkin picking, depending on the season. There is also a small gift shop with collectibles and candies. Apple Stand and cider pressing on site. Website. 4444 CA-78 next to Julian Station.

Julian Station Authentic Mexican Food

Julian Station makes a nice little stop while on a road trip to Julian. The Station features wine, beer, and hard cider tasting rooms and an exciting collection of antiques for sale. The Station is also the home of Mr. Manitas Taco Bar & Fruteria. Live Music most Sundays. 4470 Highway 78. Website.

Menghini Winery: The Oldest Winery in Julian

Menghini Winery is a family-owned boutique winery 3 miles north of downtown Julian in Volcan Mountain’s foothills. Surrounded by apple orchards and a six-acre vineyard, the winery produces approximately 4,000 cases of wine annually. 1150 Julian Orchards Drive. Website.

Julian U-Pick Apple Season August – October

During the fall, the apple crop is harvested, including a couple of u-pick apple farms where visitors can wander through the Orchard picking their own. Most apple orchards are open on weekends, and some are by reservation. Orchards get picked out quickly due to the popularity of this activity. Please check the Orchard’s websites (if they have one) for U-Pick information.

Apple Starr Orchards Seasonal U-Pick

U-Pick Organic Apples & Pears. Open mid to late August or until the apples are all gone. Picking is by the bag; about 12 pounds of apples fit into a bag for $25.00. No reservations are needed for U-Pick, but the trees are usually picked clean in just a few days. Address: 1020 Julian Orchard Drive, Julian. Website.

Calico Ranch and Cidery – Pick Your Own

This Orchard is on Highway 78 and was planted in the early 1930s. Calico is a family-owned 30-acre orchard and one of the few apple orchards in the Julian area still featuring pick-your-own fruit. Seasonal fruit stand with pre-picked apples and pears. 4200 Highway 78. Website.

Volcan Valley Farm – U-Pick

Volcan is the largest apple farm in Julian that offers apple picking. U-Pick apples are purchased by the bag, weighing about 6 to 8 pounds. Volcan also sells pies made with Fuji apples and hand-rolled crust. If you work up a thirst picking, the Orchard is between Menghini and Volcan Mountain Wineries. If anyone has apples, Volcan Valley will. 1.5 miles from downtown at 1284 Julian Orchards Drive.

Getting To Julian from San Diego

Directions: From Interstate 5 & 15, head east on Hwy. 78 past San Diego Zoo Safari Park, head past Ramona, then to Julian. Travel distance from downtown San Diego is about sixty miles, with a trip time of under two hours.

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Southern California U-Pick Farms

Oak Glen Apple Orchards

Apple Hill Orchards Northern California

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