The 'Apple Capital Of Southern California' Is A Historic Mountain Town In San Diego County

When you think of Southern California, specifically San Diego County, a small, historic mountain town is probably not the first thing that pops into your head. More like, which beaches can I spend hours baking in the sun until I turn into a potato, or how many delicious tacos can I eat before I turn into a potato for a different reason? Surprisingly, Southern California isn't just a place with fantastic weather, great food, and fabulous surf — it's also very historic. Aside from Old Town, San Diego, known as the birthplace of California, visitors looking to experience a trip back in time can wind their way along a mountainous road to a quaint town located about an hour's drive from downtown and San Diego International Airport. 

Julian, California, is the perfect day trip for those looking to spend their day exploring a side of California that once was. Dubbed the 'Apple Capital of Southern California', it's the perfect place to spend time picking apples, snacking on some mouthwatering apple pie, or sipping hard or hot apple cider.

Aside from apples (which this town clearly does take seriously), and despite its small size, Julian is steeped in history. It's a great place to learn about California's gold rush (like at one of the local mining companies), explore the nooks and crannies of antique shops, and visit one of the many stores along its historic main street. It's also a great jumping-off point for those looking to explore one of the many hiking trails or spend the day at a nearby lake. No matter the time of year, Julian provides visitors with a fabulous little mountain escape.

Are you tired of the word apple yet? Too bad! People dream about the pies served up here, or at least, I do. Although Julian Pie Company has expanded to sell in stores across San Diego County, there's nothing quite like enjoying a piece of apple crumble amidst fall foliage and quaint historic buildings. There are many pie shops along Main Street, each claiming to be the best of the best. As someone who has tried them all, my favorite remains Mom's Pie House (though Julian Pie Company is a close second), which serves some of the best apple and boysenberry crumble pie with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

If pie isn't your thing, don't worry, there are plenty of other options for getting your fill of apples. From September through October, Julian Farm and Orchard offers visitors the fun (depending on how you feel about manual labor) activity of picking your own apples — a fall favorite and a large reason families frequent Julian. Visitors must make a reservation online, and due to its popularity, slots fill up quickly.

You can also explore their large pumpkin patch, enjoy tractor rides, throw axes, visit their petting zoo, and explore their gift shop. During spring, visitors can enjoy a day of picking daffodils at the farm, as well as strawberries and raspberries in summer. Prefer to drink your apples? Julian isn't only home to the chewable kind, but is chock-full of cider tasting rooms to satisfy your apple cravings. Try a pint of delicious fresh-pressed cider from Calico Cidery, or an apple pie-flavored cider from Julian Hard Cider. 

Aside from eating and drinking, Julian is a great jumping-off point for exploring the beautiful outdoors. Located a 15-minute drive from downtown, visitors will find Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, a beautiful open space with over 100 miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Two camps (Paso Picacho and Green Valley) are available and open spring through fall, with a combined 166 campsites. Within the state park sits Lake Cuyamaca, where visitors can boat, fish, and camp with great mountain views. Near the lake, visitors can also camp, spend the night in an RV, or rent one of four different types of cabins.  An even shorter distance away from Julian are the meadows of the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, a 2,900-acre area great for hiking. 

If you're not looking to spend the night outdoors, Julian has a few quaint spaces to spend your evening. While many of them are located somewhat outside of town, there are a few that allow visitors to stay right in the heart of the action. Take a look at the Julian Gold Rush Hotel, a cute bed and breakfast built in the 1890s. Located directly on Main Street, this is a great place to spend an evening taking in a piece of San Diego's history.

The Julian Lodge is another adorable (though perhaps slightly outdated in its decor) place to spend an evening right on the main thoroughfare. Located only a 2-minute walk from Main Street sits Orchard Hill Hotel, which is definitely the more luxurious option of the bunch, featuring spa treatments, yoga classes, and a beautiful lodge. No matter when you're feeling the need for a mountain escape, Julian is the perfect little town to spend the day exploring and stuffing yourself silly with apples.