We Went To Julian
We wanted to visit Lisa while Pete was in Iraq so we decided to drive down to Camp Pendleton and pick her up and then head east on 78 toward Julian in San Diego County.
Our Pictures Were Limited... The Battery Died!
Local shops feature handtooled jewelry, Western artwork, souvenirs, and apple-related foods and candy. In homage to Julian's minor "gold rush," an inactive gold mine is open daily for tours, and recreational gold panning continues today in Banner Creek east of town. Three AAA approved places of lodging are available (including the historic Julian Hotel) several bed and breakfast type establishments, and many private cabins.
Winter days in Julian usually are sunny and cool; however, the area experiences several light snowfalls most years, allowing for snowplay and surfing within the same county only an hour apart. In March 2006, a snowfall that that exceeded two feet surprised the residents and blocked private roads, unmaintained by the County, for more than a week.
A number of wineries located in and around Julian offer complimentary wine tasting. These wineries are: Orfila Vineyards, Witch Creek Winery, J. Jenkins Winery, Menghini Winery, and Shadow Mountain Vineyards. Many of these are located along SR 78/SR 79 to the northwest of the town center.
About Julian
Julian is an historic gold mining town located approximately an hour or east of San Diego. It is the premier mountain retreat in the county and is unique in that it has four seasons.
Spring brings the blossoming of many flowers including daffodils, summer is perfect for hiking and star gazing, fall is famous for our apples and fall colors, and winter brings snowfalls and bright, crisp, "Christmassy" days.
Although famous for apples and our superb apple pie one can enjoy all year round, Julian has become the center for visitors who wish to stay in the mountains but take day trips to the nearby casinos, the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the coast.
It has always been the B&B capital of Southern California, known for its romantic atmosphere, but is now fast becoming a great destination for families, hikers, weddings
Specialty shops line our streets, our attractions are unique, ranging from wineries to wolves. From the old time melodrama to the Grape Stomp
History
Julian was founded following the Civil War, when displaced Confederate Veterans from Georgia headed West to seek their fortunes in a new, mostly unsettled land. Among these were cousins Drue Bailey and Mike Julian, who found a lush meadow between Volcan Mountain and the Cuyamacas to their liking. They were there in 1869 when cattleman Fred Coleman found the first flecks of gold in a creek. It was San Diego County's first and only gold rush.
The town was named Julian, in honor of Mike, who later was elected San Diego County Assessor. The town was never big, at the most boasting a population of about 600---more than reside within the historic district today. Rumor has it that Julian almost became San Diego's county seat.
The gold rush was short-lived, nearly over within a decade. But the pioneers stayed and began farming the rich land. While many crops were planted and animals pastured, Julian proved to be a fine place to grow apples. Apples continue to be produced in Julian. Their sweet, fresh flavor lures thousands to the mountains each fall, when visitors will find fruit stands overflowing with crisp fruit, homemade cider and other delicacies.