17 Best Things To Do In Julian, CA Beyond Apple Picking
Searching for the best things to do in Julian beyond picking apples? Julian is famous for its apple orchards and apple pie in the fall but this charming mountain town has all sorts of activities to experience year round.
As far back as I can remember, I have been visiting Julian every year primarily in the months of September and October when the tiny town comes alive with the start of apple season.
But in recent years, I have begun exploring other top activities in Julian and can’t believe I waited this long.
From wine tasting to hiking and stepping back in time to wander the old gold mines there is a little bit of everything for visitors.
Julian is one of the few if not only place in San Diego County where you can experience a little bit of the four seasons which adds to its appeal.
Julian got its start as a gold mining town in the 1860s eventually evolving into a tourist destination we know today that centers around Main Street.
In this guide, I’ll share what to do in Julian, where to stay including camping options, and places to eat.
Best Things To Do In Julian, California
1. Get Breakfast Or Lunch At Soup & Such Cafe
Want to start off the day with an awesome meal? Head to Soup & Such Café for either an early breakfast or lunch.
I initially stopped into Soup & Such Café for breakfast but was bummed to find out they stopped serving breakfast at 10am on the weekend.
I contemplated leaving but decided to have lunch instead and I am so glad I did.
I ordered the ½ sandwich with soup and the absolutely best homemade chips that came out hot!
Although soups will vary, I highly recommend the Thai Style Chicken soup with a little heat and the Classic Deli sandwich.
Other popular picks are the burger, Curry Tuna sandwich, and Grilled Cheese.
For breakfast the Brioche French Toast, Breakfast Sandwich, and Eggs Benedict will be a hit. And remember, breakfast is only served from 8am to 10am (even on weekends).
2. Wander The Town On Foot
Taking a stroll along Main Street is a must when visiting Julian as it looks like it could be a movie set.
The exterior of Julian really does look like an old western town where wooden sidewalks line Main Street and the common theme throughout every shop or restaurant is some form of apples.
Wandering in and out of the many shops is one of the best things to do in Julian especially if you like to find fun and unique items.
The downtown of Julian encompasses all of about 4 blocks so you can’t get lost, and you won’t get exhausted either.
Each shop feels like you are stepping into a country store that hasn’t changed much over the years.
These shops have some touristy stuff but there are a lot of items that make for a perfect gift. Gifts that you just can’t get anywhere else.
One of my favorite shops is The Warm Hearth next door to Mom’s Pie Shop.
Or if you are a chocolate lover, walk 1 block off of main street (on B Street) to Juliantla Chocolate Boutique.
In this tiny chocolate shop, you’ll find the most delicious locally made chocolates such as truffles, chocolate covered apricots, chocolate covered pretzels, and chocolate bars.
3. Go For A Hike In Julian
If you enjoy getting outdoors and hitting the trail, there are some incredible hikes in Julian and its surrounding area.
With its location in the mountains, there are all levels of hiking options from easy to hard.
My two favorite Julian hikes are Vulcan Mountain Trail and Azalea Glen Loop Trail.
Vulcan Mountain Trail
This hike starts out right behind Vulcan Mountain Winery and at the base of Vulcan Mountain.
From downtown Julian, the drive only takes about 8 minutes. Of any hike I have done, the trailhead is one of the most impressive with its wooden carvings on each side.
If you are looking for a challenge but an overall moderate hike, this 4.9-mile trail is your best choice if you only have time for one.
This is an out and back trail that has gorgeous foliage, trees, and amazing views at the surrounding hills, valley, and the town of Julian.
Tip: As you are heading up, opt to take the Five Oaks Trail which takes you on a much prettier and wooded trail. It will drop you back onto the Vulcan Mountain Trail further up.
Azalea Glen Loop Trail
If you want a longer and pretty strenuous hike that packs in magnificent views, head over to the Azalea Glen Loop Trail leading you up to Cuyamaca Peak.
About 20 minutes from Julian just past Cuyamaca Lake you’ll find the trailhead to Azalea Glen Loop Trail at Paso Picacho Campground.
To park, there is a $10 fee with use of bathrooms, picnic tables and access to the 7.4-mile trail.
Even though this is a hard hike, the scenery makes it one of my favorite hikes in San Diego.
I recommend going counterclockwise around the loop so that you are coming down the paved fire road.
Note: Another great hike not too far away from Julian is Eagle Rock Trail that starts in nearby Warner Springs.
4. Julian Pioneer Museum
I have been coming to Julian almost each year for several decades but had never been to the Julian Pioneer Museum until my most recent visit.
On this visit I ended up staying for 3 days getting the chance to really explore this charming town instead of coming up for a quick day trip.
I really wasn’t expecting a lot from this museum but was pleasantly surprised to see that it was a good size with tons of interesting artifacts, exhibits, and photos.
What I enjoyed the most was reading about the founding families of Julian and the tough trek across the country many of the families endured reaching this corner of California.
You’ll get the chance to learn all about how Julian started out as a gold rush town and how the main fruit back then was pears, not apples the town is so famous for.
Founded in 1869, Julian is named after Mike Julian, the cousin of Drury Bailey who was one of the first settlers.
The saying goes that Bailey didn’t need the town named after him and said between the two, Mike Julian was better looking.
And just like that the cute mountain town became Julian!
A few fascinating exhibits to see are the first apple corers (invented by Eli Whitney), the first Julian post office (stand), and the first hair device for perms.
The perm instrument looks more like an electrocution device and a major fire hazard that gave me a good laugh.
5. Get A Slice Of Apple Pie
Eating apple pie is the number one thing to experience in Julian.
There are a handful of pie shops in town, but I believe the Julian Pie Company is the best!
I am not a fan of apple pie or apple desserts in general, but I do love the apple pie at the Julian Pie Company…
There is that certain combination of great apples, spices, and the perfect flaky crust that just makes for a delightful bite of pie.
The Julian Pie Company has been a town favorite since 1986 and owned by the Smothers family.
The star of the pies is the Original Apple Pie, but they have an assortment of flavors to choose from if you want some variety.
The Dutch Apple has a crunchy crumb topping which is delicious and a tie for me personally with the Original.
There is an Apple Mountain Berry Crumb Pie, a Boysenberry Apple Crumb Pie, Cherry Apple Crumb Pie, Peach Apple Crumb Pie, and several berry pies with no apple.
Most likely there is a flavor you are bound to love.
How do you eat your apple pie? Eat your pie as it is or you can add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for “a la mode”.
And one that I thought sounded horrible before I tried it is a slice of melted sharp cheddar cheese on top! It is surprisingly very good…
Oh and if apple pie really isn’t your thing, they do make a great cherry pie too!
Tips: Buy a slice to enjoy and get a pie to take home. There is a second location next to Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel too.
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
6. Step Back In Time At Eagle Mining Co
One of the coolest activities in Julian is visiting the Eagle Mining Co that is a short drive up from downtown Julian.
If you like a mix of history and quirky attractions, the Eagle Mining Co is definitely worth a stop.
Julian first became known as a gold mining town booming in the late 1860s and peaked until the 1880s.
After that, just a small amount of mining took place up until the 1930s.
The first person to discover gold in the area was the former slave, Fred Coleman, and soon after Drury Bailey and other settlers got involved in the action.
The mines at Eagle Mining Co were active gold and quartz mines in the 1870s but left abandoned for decades before Ed Sprague and his wife Ellen purchased the land in 1967.
Guided 1-hour tours are offered daily with lots of great information and fun for all ages.
You don’t need to make a reservation, just show up and they will get you on the next tour.
The tour starts with going into the old mining tunnels, which is super cool to imagine what it was like to work in these tight and dark tunnels.
After exiting the mines, you’ll get to see how gold was extracted from the quartz and formed into gold bars.
And you’ll also get a lesson on how to pan for gold before you take a shot at it yourself.
There was so much information and neat stories that I had never heard of and I am from San Diego!
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
7. Grab A Meal At The Julian Beer Company
The Julian Beer Company is a brewery and eatery located a half block from the Julian Pie Company.
They are obviously known for their handcrafted beer but also for many delicious food options such as appetizers, BBQ, pizzas, and salads.
Each time I come here I tend to order the same thing, the pulled pork sandwich with chips. It is so good that it is hard to order anything else.
But on many visits, I’ve seen a lot of people enjoying the Brisket sandwich and pizzas all of which looked fantastic.
If you are a beer lover then you will be happy to see they offer 18+ beers on tap with many made with local ingredients such as juniper, honey, fruit, and hops.
The brewery itself is housed on the same lot as the historic home of Julian’s founder which makes it quite unique.
Address: 2307 Main Street, Julian, CA 92036
Hours: Open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday through Sunday open 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
8. Taste Fresh Apple Cider
I’m not one to ever drink apple cider except when I am in Julian as it is by far the best fresh apple cider you’ll have.
They press the apples and bottle it so that you can drink it fresh the next day during apple season.
But even if you aren’t visiting in the fall, you’ll be happy to know that you can find apple cider made from Julian apples here pretty much year round.
Drinking a cold and freshly pressed apple cider will delight your taste buds.
The majority of the apple cider found in Julian is made with no preservatives, sugar, or anything other than apples. They may blend a few types of apples to get that dynamite flavor.
For example, the apple cider from Apple Lane Orchards that I tried was made with Gala, Jonathan, and Gravenstein apples. You can also get this apple cider in town at various places.
9. Visit The Julian Cider Mill
Every year growing up I was always excited to visit the Julian Cider Mill for freshly pressed apple cider and fudge. And I still am as an adult!
It is one of those stores that has a nostalgia that I look forward to year after year.
The Julian Cider Mill has been owned by the Slaughter family for over 45 years.
In addition to fudge, you can pick up some apple and pumpkin butter, honey, preserves, dried fruit, and caramel apples.
Address: 2103 Main Street, Julian, CA 92036
Hours: Open 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Friday through Sunday.
10. Visit The California Wolf Center
The California Wolf Center is a preserve about 9 minutes from Julian along Highway 79 before you reach Lake Cuyamaca.
The Wolf Center is a non-profit preserve with a mission to help protect wolves focusing on conservation, rehabilitation, and a breeding center to release them back into the wild.
It is the only wolf reserve in San Diego County where they promote education of the wolves and why the need to protect this endangered animal.
The only way to visit is by booking a tour in advance.
But if you don’t have time, make sure you stop in at the California Wolf Center Gift Shop in downtown Julian across from Romano’s.
In here you’ll find all kinds of wolf inspired gifts, stuffed animals, clothes, and educational exhibits including a short film.
Hours: Open Friday – Tuesday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
11. Visit Volcan Mountain Winery
Volcan Mountain Winery is located at the base of Volcan Mountain and across the street from Volcan Valley Apple Farm.
They have been serving wine in their tasting room since 2015 offering white and red wine selections.
Sourcing grapes from San Diego County, Temecula, and Cucamonga Valley you’ll find varietals such as Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Grenache, Syrah, Cab Franc, and Malbec.
One of the wines that surprised me the most was the Apple wine! It was very refreshing on a hot, summer afternoon.
You can purchase a glass or get a flight of 6 tastings which I recommend to sample a variety.
In addition to the super friendly staff, it is easy to strike up a conversation with locals either inside or on the lovely outdoor patio.
Tip: It makes a great place to visit any time of the year including after apple picking in the fall.
Hours: Open Friday through Monday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
12. Old Julian Book House
It is becoming rarer and rarer to find a classic old used bookstore which is why the Old Julian Book House is a gem!
I admit I am a huge fan of using my kindle, especially when traveling but I do love the look and smell of a physical book.
Across from the Julian Pie Company, the book house is directly across the street.
Browse the maze of shelves with books galore and find a one of a kind that is a page-turner that you can’t put down.
Hours: Open 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday, Monday, Thursday & Friday. Open from Tuesday & Wednesday from noon to 5:00 pm. Saturday is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
13. Enjoy Sangria At Blue Door Winery
Tucked on a side street in the charming downtown of Julian is Blue Door Winery.
It’s an urban winery where you can sample wines in an adorable tasting room that focuses on red wine varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Nebbiolo, and Cabernet Franc.
If it is a hot day and you are looking for something refreshing, don’t miss out on getting a glass of their homemade Sangria! You can enjoy it indoors or take it out on the outdoor seating.
They use a family recipe that draws people back year after year…
Hours: Open daily from noon to 5pm.
14. Sip Cider At The Calico Cidery
As you leave Julian make your way to the Calico Cidery for a sip of some hard apple cider made with apples and pears from their orchard.
The Calico Cidery is family owned and they also have an orchard ranch where you can pick your own apples depending on the time of year.
Originally, they got started as a homestead property with a pear orchard and later added apples to the property.
I ordered a tasting that included 4 different hard ciders, two made with apples, and two with pears.
I enjoyed them all but preferred the ones with pears the most. My favorite was the Quinceperry which is a cross between an apple and pear.
The alcohol content ranges from 5% to 7.6 % depending on the cider.
The cidery is housed in a very cool open-air barn that has a saloon-style bar you can cozy on up to.
Or take your cider over to one of the tables with bales of hay as seating. If you find a cider you like, you can take a growler of it with you!
Hours: Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
15. Oasis Camel Dairy
The Oasis Camel Dairy is not your typical dairy as they have camels! It is an activity that I’m sure would be a hit with kids.
They offer private camel tours, feeding, and encounters where you can learn everything related to camels.
You can even buy products with camel milk such as chocolate, soaps, lotions, and lip balms.
The dairy is located a little further out at 13 miles from Julian towards the town of Ramona. But if you plan to be in the area it is a unique experience to add to your trip.
Phone: 760-0983
Hours: You must book your visit online ahead of time to enjoy a camel experience on select Saturdays!
16. Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures
A visit to Fort Cross will be an afternoon adventure learning about the farm and joining activities such as archery, tomahawk throwing, farm animal interactions, and more.
Each farm tour experience lasts 2 hours and is $23.50 per person (anyone 4 years and older).
Depending on availability you can also U-Pick raspberries and strawberries which are all organic and pesticide free.
Berries are usually during the summer months so check ahead to see if they still have any.
Phone: 951-847-1904
Hours: Open Saturday from 10:00 am to noon and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
17. Dudley’s Famous Bakery & Deli
So technically Dudley’s Bakery is a few miles outside of Julian, but it is a must to stop on the way.
There is a reason it is known as “famous” as they truly make the most amazing bread!
Since 1963, Dudley’s has been pumping out what seems like so many insanely delicious breads that you can’t leave without buying a few loaves to take home.
Oh, and make sure you get an extra loaf for the road as I promise you that it will be gone by the time you get home or back to your hotel!
Dudley’s has the freshest bread around with over 40 different flavors of bread and pastries…
My favorite has always been sourdough and jalapeno cheese but a popular one is the date nut raisin bread too.
It can be tough to narrow it down to a few but you can always freeze the loaves and enjoy them for months to come.
There is a deli counter on-site where you can have a sandwich made using the bread of your choosing.
This makes for the perfect picnic meal to take to one of the apple orchards later in the day!
Hours: Open 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday through Sunday.
Best Restaurants In Julian
As a small town there are not a ton of options but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great places to eat in Julian. Here are some of my top picks.
- Julian Beer Co. – great BBQ, pizza, and beer
- Soup & Such Cafe – tasty breakfast and lunch spot
- Jeremy’s On The Hill – delicious New American food
- Heroes Restaurant – American food
- Romano’s – Italian food
- Julian Tea & Cottage – tea and lunch
- Miner’s Diner – breakfast
Best Julian Hotels and Lodging
You can easily make a day trip from anywhere in San Diego County but if you want to take in Julian over a weekend, there are a few lovely places to stay at.
Quiet Mind Mountain Lodge & Retreat – Situated along Lake Cuyamaca and a few miles from the town of Julian is a serene place to stay with spa amenities.
Julian Gold Rush Hotel – Located in the heart of downtown Julian
Julian Lodge – Located in downtown Julian
Or if you prefer renting a cabin or house you can find an accommodation just right for you.
Camping In Julian
Lake Cuyamaca – great if you enjoy fishing or want quick access to the lake.
Paso Picacho Campground – beautiful campground with some cabins and access to both the Azalea Glen Loop Trail and Stonewall Peak Trail.
Attend A Julian Festival
There are several festivals and events in Julian year round but a few of my favorites are:
Julian Apple Festival – celebrate everything apples! Dates vary based on when apples are ready to be picked but usually in September.
Taste of Julian – at the end of June for one day, several eateries in Julian put out delicious eats and/or drinks for as part of your ticket price.
Dark Sky Festival – watch meteor showers up at Menghini Winery. Varies but it is in August this year.
Map Of Julian Things To Do
Where Is Julian Located?
Julian is in the Cuyamaca Mountains, about an hour east of downtown San Diego at an elevation of 4,235 feet.
Since Julian has a colder climate than the rest of San Diego County, they have the perfect environment to grow apples.
Julian might be one of the few if not only places in San Diego County that has the four seasons.
I think it is one of the draws for local San Diegan’s as we love our sunny year-round weather, yet we crave the crispness of an autumn day…
It is the place for fall foliage and leaf-peeping each year. Because it is at a higher elevation, it can vary in temperature more than near the ocean.
Even if it is a hot day in San Diego, always bring a jacket and umbrella as the weather can change quickly. No matter the time of year, Julian is the perfect escape from San Diego that you don’t want to miss!
If you are visiting in October, find out where to find a pumpkin to carve at the best pumpkin patches around.
Tip: Julian is also one of the few places that can get snow in San Diego County so it can be a great winter weekend trip too.
How To Get To Julian
If you are flying in, you’ll want to book your flight into the San Diego International Airport (SAN).
And since you will need a car to reach Julian from the airport, search for the best car rental rates today!
The quaint town of Julian is 62-miles east (and slightly north) of downtown San Diego taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The easiest way to Julian is by hopping onto the 5 Freeway north and then taking the 8 Freeway East.
Exit off the 8 Freeway onto the 79 Highway or Japatul Valley Road. Stay on the 79 Highway passing Lake Cuyamaca until you reach Julian.
If you are coming from North County area of San Diego such as San Marcos or Carlsbad the drive is 54-miles to the east and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
There are a few ways to come from North County but the easiest option is to take Highway 78 (East) to the 15 Freeway (South).
Exit the 15 Freeway at the E Via Rancho Pkwy and head east turning right onto San Pasqual Road. San Pasqual Rd will turn into the old Highway 78 road.
Once you arrive at the town of Ramona turn left and continue on old 78 road until you reach Julian.
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Vanessa Shields
Vanessa Shields is the founder of Traveling Ness helping people with trip ideas, itineraries, travel planning, and boosting confidence for female travelers to take a solo trip. She has been a travel writer and content creator since 2019.