15 Best Things to Do in Julian California

Julian, California, is a charming mountain town renowned for its apple pies, wineries, and apple orchards. But there’s so much more to this hidden gem than meets the eye. Founded during the gold rush of the 1870s, Julian began as a bustling hub for gold seekers, with its first mine established in this era. Not long after, James Madison, one of the town’s early settlers, planted apple trees, which laid the foundation for Julian’s now-famous apple pie tradition.

Nestled in the scenic Cuyamaca Mountains of San Diego County, Julian is just an hour’s drive from downtown San Diego, making it the perfect destination for a day trip. Visitors are drawn not only by its delicious apple treats but also by its beautiful hiking trails, fresh mountain air, and captivating small-town charm. To ensure your visit is seamless, I’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Julian below.

Indulge in the famous Julian Apple Pie

If you go to Julian and don’t try the famous Apple Pie you are simply doing it wrong. It’s their claim to fame so make sure to pick up a slice or an entire pie to bring home. The most famous pie shops are Mom’s Pies and Julian Pie Company. You can’t go wrong with either! For a local tip, if the Mom’s Pie shop on the main street is busy, take a quick 10-minute drive outside of the main street to visit their second location. It’s always way less busy and has more of the famous pies in stock.

Furthermore, if you do visit the lesser-known location of Mom’s you simply can’t miss a visit to the Antique Barn. The most quaint vintage shop with old-world charm and even has Emu’s that you can visit. They are only open Friday through Sunday.

Tour an old Gold Mine

As I mentioned earlier, Julian was originally founded during the Gold Rush of the 1870s. Today, you can explore a piece of that rich history by touring one of Julian’s historic gold mines. Several locations in town offer guided tours, providing a fascinating glimpse into the area’s mining past.

One popular option is Eagle Mining Co., located just off Main Street. Their hour-long tours take you deep into the heart of the mine, where you’ll learn about the old mining techniques and the history that helped shape Julian. Another great choice is the Julian Mining Company, where visitors can experience hands-on activities like gold panning and further immerse themselves in the region’s mining legacy.

Explore Main Street

Main Street in Julian, California, is the heart of this charming historic town, known for its small-town Americana feel. As you stroll down this quaint street, you’ll find a mix of shops, restaurants, breweries, and antique stores, all housed in buildings that evoke the rustic charm of the town’s 19th-century roots. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, perfect for a leisurely day of exploring.

You’ll want to set aside at least an hour to wander Main Street, as each stop offers a unique glimpse into Julian’s history and culture. One must-visit spot is Miner’s Diner, a retro-inspired eatery that transports visitors back in time. The diner serves up hearty home-cooked meals, such as burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes, while the walls are adorned with vintage memorabilia. A highlight for families and kids is the small toy train that chugs around the restaurant’s perimeter, adding a touch of whimsy to the dining experience.

As you continue to explore, be sure to pop into some of the antique stores that line the street. These shops are treasure troves of vintage finds, offering everything from old-fashioned decor to quirky collectibles. You might also come across local artisanal goods, perfect for bringing home a little piece of Julian.

Before stepping onto Main Street, you’ll pass Julian’s library and post office—two small but endearing buildings. Both have a charming, almost storybook quality, with their modest size and old-fashioned design. These buildings feel like they’re straight out of a Wes Anderson film, with their symmetrical architecture, pastel colors, and meticulous attention to detail. They offer a picture-perfect glimpse of small-town life and make for a delightful stop during your visit to Julian.

Visit a Julian Winery

Julian’s terrain is mountainous and dry which makes for the perfect environment for winemaking. Because of this, there are quite a few wineries to check out in Julian. Our favorite is Volcan Mountain Winery. It opened in 2015 and is set at the base of Volcan Mountain. With a tasting room, orchard, and vineyard this picturesque place is a great way to spend an afternoon. They encourage you to bring your food and picnic on the grounds. Finally, make sure to try the apple cider.

other wineries to visit:

• Menghini Winery: nestled in the foothills of Volcan Mountain this winery is the 2nd oldest winery in San Diego. It’s surrounded by apple orchards and also allows you to bring your provisions for a picnic on the grounds.
• Storum Ranch Cider & Wine: Opened its first tasting room in 2021, Storum is surrounded by an apple orchard of over 3000 trees in over 60 different varieties, along with 300 grape vines, and gorgeous mountain views.
• Blue Door Winery: Located in Downtown Julian, this winery is housed in an old livery stable and offers tastings from 12 pm – 5 pm every day.

Visit a Brewery

Julian Beer Co. is a popular, laid-back brewery situated right on Main Street in Julian, California. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, the brewery offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Making it an ideal spot to relax and enjoy the local vibe. The outdoor seating is especially inviting, with spacious picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for cooler evenings.

The menu features delicious BBQ favorites, including smoked meats like brisket, pulled pork, and ribs, all prepared in-house. They also offer a selection of wood-fired pizzas, which pair perfectly with their wide array of house-brewed beers.

Julian Beer Co. brews a variety of craft beers, ranging from light lagers to more robust IPAs, ensuring there’s something for every palate. Beer lovers can try a flight to sample different styles before settling on their favorite.

Adding to its appeal, they often host live music performances, creating a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, especially on weekends. It’s also a dog-friendly spot, so visitors can bring their furry friends along while enjoying a cold beer and hearty meal. Whether you’re a local or just visiting Julian for a day, this brewery is a great place to kick back and experience the town’s laid-back charm.

Visit the Antique Barn

This might just be my favorite spot in Julian! The Antique Barn, located a little off the main street, is a treasure trove of beautiful antiques and timeless charm. As you arrive, you’ll likely spot a couple of emus roaming near the parking lot. A unique sight that adds to the experience. Open only from Friday to Sunday, it’s well worth a visit whenever you’re in town!

Check out Julian Pioneer Museum

Visit the Julian Pioneer Museum for a stroll back through history. This quaint museum offers artifacts from pioneer life. Showcasing pieces that paint the town’s history. It’s housed in an old blacksmith building from the 1860s. Finally, they are open Friday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.

Go For a Hike at Three Sisters Falls

Three Sisters Falls: This hike is 4.1 miles out and back and leads to three cascading waterfalls and a swimming area. It is not for the faint of heart and can be quite treacherous. The trail offers no shade so don’t plan on doing this hike during a high-heat day.

The three sisters’ fall hike takes roughly 2 hours to complete. The hike to the falls is all downhill and the hike back from the falls is all uphill. So make sure to leave energy for the hike back up because that was the hardest part. During April the trail is blooming with purple flowers. It’s a gorgeous time to visit. Finally, to reach the trailhead you need to drive on a dirt road for a bit but there are tons of parking in the lot.

William Heise County Park: Situated 4200 feet above sea level this 900-acre park is located in the Laguna Mountain range. With beautiful forests of oak, cedar, and pine trees, and endless meadows. There are over 11 miles of scenic hiking trails as well as camping and ranger lead activities. Parking costs $3. You can learn more by visiting the William Heise County website.

Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve: Volcan mountain wilderness offers 2900 acres of preserve and forest. You can hike to the summit of Volcan Mountain for sweeping views of the sea and surrounding mountains. The main trail is located on Farmers Road and is a 5-mile roundtrip hike.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park: This state park offers beautiful hiking and camping in an oak woodland forest. There are over 100 miles of trails that accommodate not only hikers but bikers and equestrians as well. The most popular hikes start from the Paso Picacho campground. Stonewall Peak is 2 miles and Cuyamaca Peak is a 3.5-mile hike. Both offer breathtaking views of the desert and Lake Cuyamaca.

Visit the California Wolf Center

Did you know Julian has a wolf center dedicated to rehabilitating wolves to their natural environment? Well, now you do! It’s called the California Wolf Center and it’s located in Julian. They aim to advance human-wolf coexistence and help save the Mexican gray wolf species by breeding wolves. You can take a tour of the grounds and learn all about this organization and the great things they are doing.

Go Apple Picking (seasonal)

During the fall months of September and October, apple picking in Julian is a quintessential seasonal activity that everyone can enjoy. It’s the perfect way to embrace the autumn spirit, though be prepared for warmer temperatures, as the weather often stays quite mild—so you can leave the sweaters and boots behind. Many orchards in Julian offer apple-picking experiences, and below, I’ve listed the top orchards to visit for a fun-filled day of gathering fresh apples straight from the trees.

Volcan Valley Apple Farm: The best u-pick farm with over 8,000 trellis-grown apple trees and 6 different varieties of apples. They are open Friday – Sunday during the fall season. The cost is $15 per bag which holds 6 lbs with no entry fee. Children under 5 are free.

Peacefield Orchard: situated on 2.5 acres of land Peacefield Orchard is home to over 200 apple trees. They are only open on the weekends during the season. You can pick red and golden delicious apples and granny smith. The cost is $20 per 1/2 peck size bag (roughly 8-10 apples) and no entry fee. Check their website for opening dates.

Julian Mining Company: Offering U-pick apples during the fall season, gold mining tours, fall activities, and a train ride for kids to enjoy. The cost is $18 per bag with a $3 entry fee.

Crosscut Farm & Orchard: Cost $20 per 1/2 peck bag and $5 entry fee.

Visit Lake Cuyamaca

Lake Cuyamaca is a peaceful lake surrounded by a 110-acre reservoir. You can visit for the day and enjoy the scenery or choose to fish, camp, boat, or indulge in birdwatching. They also have cabins for rent so you can stay a while. It’s very serene and offers beautiful fall foliage during November. You can find more information on their website including a live lake web cam.

Grab Fresh Bread at Dudley’s Bakery

Dudley’s Bakery is a must-visit on your way out of town. They serve delicious coffee, pastries, and some of the best bread in the county. They’ve been around since 1963 and their specialty is jalapeño bread. I also find the prices to be very reasonable. It’s a great alternative for a quick bite!

Drive to Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Anza Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California and is only a 30-minute drive from Julian. The park offers sweeping desert views with plenty of hiking trails including a slot canyon hike. Along with that, you can visit Galleta Meadows a sprawling desert sculpture park with over 130 iron sculptures of animals. It’s such a unique spot. They can be a bit difficult to find so make sure to check out this website for more information. Finally, our favorite sunset spot is Fonts Point. While you need a 4WD to get to this part it’s quite easy to find.

Well, there you have it fam! Thank you for reading my “15 Amazing Things to Do in Julian California”. I hope you enjoy visiting this charming mountain town and don’t forget to check out more of my California Guides.

XO,

Courtney

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