Things to Do in Julian, California (+ the Best Pie!)

We had all kinds of fun on adventures in and around San Diego during our seven years there, but there was one trip we’d make every year at the start of fall: Julian.

Julian, California, is Southern California’s answer to the flavors and fall scenery you’d expect on a trip out to New England.

There’s a lot of pie involved in Julian adventuring, but the mountain town is also full of history and surrounded by some excellent hiking for outdoorsy folks.

It’s a well-rounded destination. Hiking. Scenery. Pie. Let’s get into the best things to do in Julian on your next trip.

What is Julian known for?

Julian is best known for its delicious apple pie and mining history. For San Diego locals, the surrounding area is known for its hiking opportunities. You’ll have access to all kinds of outdoor adventures while you’re here.

Make room for pie at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.

Cuyamaca Rancho State Park is a great place to get the blood flowing on your day trip to Julian before you tackle Main Street and Julian proper.

We love the Stonewall Peak Trail. It’s a fairly easy haul up until you get to the very end, where some scrambling up a rockscape is involved in avoidance of jamokes who didn’t learn the single-file line in elementary school.

The entire trail is about four miles roundtrip and is rife with snakes.

Well, we didn’t actually see any snakes, but the pelt guy at the entrance said there were a bunch of them out there. It’s best to just say there are a bunch of snakes on this trail so no one complains to me about it later.

Hiking Cuyamaca Peak is a popular excursion if you’re looking for a more challenging trail. At just over 5.5 miles round-trip, this is the second-highest peak in San Diego, offering a great view of the rest of the county at the top.

Note: For additional trails and day hike opportunities while you’re in the area, check out the state park’s guide to the area. 

Check out the views at the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve.

The Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve is another jewel in these parts with 2,900 acres of trails and viewpoints through a mixed conifer forest.

The most popular trail here is the five-mile trek to the summit: Volcan Mountain. Steep inclines make this one a moderate level of difficulty, so make sure you’re prepared with the right hiking gear on this one.

I brought Kimmy along on this one, which helped on the way up (she’s a puller) but didn’t help on the way down (she’s a puller).

It’s also very windy up there!

Explore the Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve.

The nearby Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve offers 15 miles of trails on gentler loops than the other parks, making this one a great option if you’re traveling with kids.

You’ll be literally heading over the river and through the woods on some of these trails, which is quite charming.

Those looking for more of a challenge may want to try the West Vista Loop Trail, about 5.6 miles round-trip through oak trees and wildflowers when the season’s right.

Row your boat on Lake Cuyamaca.

If you’d only like your day trip buddy to make some room for pie first and you’re fine with your own available tummy reserves, rent a little boat on Lake Cuyamaca.

Have them row you along until their arms give out or until they give up and turn the motor on if you’ve got a little dinghy with one of those attached. Doesn’t that just sound adorable?

Go apple picking.

If you’re into the you-pick-apples thing, there are places to do that, even here in Southern California. Try the Apple Starr Orchard or the Volcan Valley Apple Farm, two popular and family-friendly options.

It’s just not something we usually go for on my Julian day trips from San Diego.

I can’t escape the feeling of, umm…this is someone’s actual job in most apple orchards, and we’re out there like, “This is so leeeeeeisurely and fun! Let’s do this thing in our free time that you do for crappy wages!” 

Fun fact: Saturday Night Live had a hilarious take on it. Do check it out.

I won’t judge you if you want to get right into the pie, though.

Taste-test the best pie in Julian.

You’ll get all kinds of opinions on where the best pie is in Julian. The two main players are Julian Pie Company and Mom’s.

There are others, but try those without recommendations from me on your Julian day trip, because I haven’t had them, not because they’re bad.

Locals may tell you it’s all about this or that, but locals are notoriously saucy about their local things. Between the two big dogs, you’ll find lines at both if you slept in. Both are delicious and worth the wait as you prioritize your personal list of Julian activities.

Also, you probably came all this way for the pie, so what are you really going to do if not wait in line at this point?

We tend to do the Julian Pie Company because they don’t have apostrophe misuse on their signage and for their emphasis on all things cinnamon: cider donuts, donut holes if you’re there on the weekend, cinnamon ice cream, and cinnamon sauce.

Doesn’t that sound lovely?

If you’re allergic to cinnamon, there’s Soups & Such Cafe, where you can eat some soup or something.

Fun fact: Most recently, a friend of ours demanded anything BUT apple pie. He opted for a mixed-berry situation that I guess seemed fine but also a little bit anti-establishment.

Brian likes to sweeten his sweets as much as he can so he typically opts for additional whipped cream alongside his pie and a humongous scoop of ice cream.

READ MORE: Love to indulge? San Diego has some good Polish food. No, seriously. Read my guide!

Shop for tchotchkes on Main Street.

If you’re into tchotchke shops, there’s quite a bit of that at The Warm Hearth of Julian, The Old Julian Garage, and The Julian Candy Basket, home to hundreds of varieties of candies.

If you’re lucky while browsing, you’ll come across dirty hot sauces, decorative soaps, more soaps, wicker baskets, soaps, fringed tops, candy, and soaps. 

Buy all the jam at the Julian Cider Mill.

One stop I always make is to the Julian Cider Mill for some jam, baby. Boysenberry? Check. Gooseberry? Check. Also, what is that even??? Prickly pear? We got you. Jam. Jam. Jam.

They also sell all kinds of spicy nuts, taffies, dried fruits, and flavored honey. Many a dollar has been spent at the Julian Cider Mill.

Plan some charming tea time.

This is one of those hidden gems in Julian. Head to Julian Tea and Cottage Arts if an afternoon tea sounds delightful post-pie.

Just make sure to book a reservation ahead of time, as they can go all out with the finger sandwiches, scones, and assortment of teas depending on the experience you’re after.

Eat at the best restaurants in Julian.

I’m quite pleased to confirm that you can visit Julian without eating anything other than pie. It’s a thing I’ve pulled off on several occasions.

If you want something more “traditional” in terms of a “real” meal, you have options. Our favorite along those lines is the Julian Grille for classic cafe fare. They have a great outdoor patio for you to enjoy if it’s a nice day.

Here are a few more Julian restaurants for you to explore if the Julian Grill isn’t to your liking:

• Julian Cafe & Bakery: Enjoy Western-themed decor and more opportunities to shop local after your lunch at this popular cafe. You’ll find a variety of Julian souvenirs to peruse inside.
• Miner’s Diner: Relive old-fashioned soda shops of the good ol’ days or embrace those Riverdale vibes at this diner. If you have a sweet tooth undeterred by all the pie, their malts are pretty popular.
• Soups & Such Cafe: I already mentioned this one in jest, but it’s actually a popular lunch spot in town if you’re seeking comfort fare and, you guessed it, soup.

Sip on sangria at Blue Door Winery.

Are your dogs barkin’ from all the strolling? Julian has all kinds of cute stops that give off some relaxing vibes, especially if you’re interested in wine.

Start at the cute Blue Door Winery tucked into a mini-shopping area on B Street. It’s always a touch too warm for red wine when I’m visiting, so the chilled red sangria is my bag, best enjoyed on the Adirondack chairs outside or on the inner patio.

It’s also home to any manner of cute dogs, a bonus in my book.

You can definitely bring your dog to Julian, by the way. There are quite a few dog-friendly patios in Julian, like the Blue Door Winery. If your dog loves to hike, most of the trails around here are fine for leashed pets.

Just make sure that you bring plenty of extra water no matter when you visit.

READ MORE: Traveling with your pooch? Don’t miss out on San Diego’s best dog beaches.

If you like those wine times enough to seek out an option further afield, the Volcan Mountain Winery is a scenic stop at the foot of the Volcan Mountain.

Their sparkling apple wine is the showstopper here if you’re lucky enough to visit when it’s not sold out.

Try Julian beer while you’re at it.

If you’re more into the local beer scene, Julian Beer Company offers decent drafts, pizza by the gigantic slice, and barbecue-type sandwiches. I’ve had their Reuben sandwich with thick-sliced pastrami, and it’s pretty fantastic. Brian loves their cheesesteak.

The Nickel Beer Company is another option, just east of downtown Julian. They typically have over a dozen beers on tap for you to choose from, including a hybrid of beer and hard apple cider made of local Julian apples.

Finish off with cider at Julian Hard Cider.

Our last stop on the way back home is always Julian Hard Cider, a couple of miles west of Main Street. The building it’s located in includes shops, a gallery, a food stop, and games that may or may not work.

Typically, we beeline for the cider, as I’m somewhat of a connoisseur.

Their original Harvest Apple flavor is always my fave. The others range from too sweet to resembling cough syrup.

Sometimes there’s a random flavor guesting on their standby lists. You can order one of their flights or make your own for a couple of bucks per taster. 

Hike Cedar Creek Falls.

This San Diego waterfall hike is noted on map apps as being in Julian, but there are multiple approaches. The San Diego River Gorge Trail starts in Ramona. That’s the trail we chose on our hiking day.

You can also access this one along the Saddleback Trail, which is closer to Julian.

No matter how you get there, you’ll need a permit before you set out for your hiking adventure.

This is a challenging hike in the Cleveland National Forest, and the authorities in charge just want you to know what you’re getting yourself into on this nearly six-mile trek.

It’s challenging. You will work for that waterfall. It’s also my favorite waterfall hike in San Diego, so it has that going for it.

Chase Three Sisters Falls, too.

The Three Sisters Falls Trail isn’t mind-blowing, but it’s one of the most popular hikes in and around San Diego for a reason.

Honestly, I’m not sure why. Cedar Creek Falls is a better hike and generally more impressive all around.

If you want to see what all the hype is about, make sure you’re ready for over four miles of decent elevation gain and some scrambling.

Bring plenty of water and shoes with good traction. You don’t need a permit for this, but do need to display an Adventure Pass on your vehicle to park at the trailhead.

Note: Visit in the winter or spring for the most action from the falls themselves. This isn’t a great summertime hike because of the heat and the lack of waterflow.

Go wine tasting in Ramona.

This activity idea isn’t in Julian, but if you happen to have a weekend in Julian, you can easily tack on some time in nearby Ramona.

Honestly, I hate when bloggers lead with stuff that isn’t in the town you’re investigating, but we’re getting to the bottom now. I also don’t want you to miss some hyper-local wine country.

It’s just a half-hour drive to incredible scenery and delicious wine with vibes that are casual even for Southern California.

We spent a full week in Ramona on a recent trip back to San Diego, and I was so impressed by the friendly atmosphere of this underrated wine country that it’ll be in my regular rotation now along with Temecula.

Chuparosa Vineyards was our favorite thanks to their Albariño.

Book some goat yoga at Blackledge Farms.

On the topic of Ramona, there is a bucket list experience here that has nothing to do with wine. It doesn’t have anything to do with pie, either.

I’m talking about goats, people. If you love them as much as I do, you’ll want to book a goat yoga session at Blackledge Farms. Just be warned that you’ll be forever changed after your experience. That’s how great this is.

Don’t believe me? Read about my experience with Ramona’s best goat yoga.

More Fun Things to Do in Julian

We’ve visited Julian a bunch of times, but it’s usually with a main mission in mind: Eat all of the pie. That means there are still some things we haven’t done on trips to the mountain town.

Here are a few more Julian things to do, especially if you’re into exploring the Julian mines:

• Pan for gold on a tour with the Eagle Mining Co. at the Eagle and High Peak Mine. Gold was what brought people to Julian in the first place during the 1800s.
• Want to try your luck at another mine? Visit the Julian Mining Company, too. I’d suggest avoiding weekdays during the school year on this one. It’s a popular field trip destination.
• Visit the Julian Pioneer Museum for local history and artifacts from the town’s storied past. This is a great option if you’re looking for family-friendly things to do in Julian.
• The nearby Julian Pioneer Cemetery is also worth a stop for its historical value to San Diego and its creepy pet section.
• Hit up the California Wolf Center, a conservation and research site dedicated to the protection and re-establishment of wild wolf packs. The North American gray wolf and Mexican gray wolf are both represented.
• Attend the Julian Apple Days Festival, a two-day event usually held in September as a celebration of the fall season and all things apple.
• The Taste of Julian is a summer festival to show off a more diverse array of foods outside of the apple-based ones.
• Looking for things to do in Julian in winter? The Country Christmas is just what you’d expect around here and includes tree lightings, sweet treats, and the potential for snow that you won’t get in San Diego.
• Camp at William Heise County Park. The park offers not only a number of trails here — you’ll have access to 11 miles of hiking on your visit — but also the most popular campgrounds in the area.
• If you’re already visiting Ramona for that wine I told you about, visit the Oasis Camel Dairy while you’re there. The family farm is focused on camel milk (it’s a thing!) and camel encounters.

The Best Time to Visit Julian

The best time to visit Julian is in the fall. There’s a good reason for that. It’s apple time.

I usually tell people to go places during less busy times, but I just can’t do that here. Fall opens up a world of possibilities and allows you to try more varieties of apples grown right here in Julian.

If you’re here in the winter, Julian does have snow. Expect possible snow from November through February, sometimes even well into the spring, up in Julian. You’re at over 4,000 feet of elevation here.

You’ll need snow chains to go to Julian if you’re heading up to the mountain town in the winter months. Chains are required during the winter months at nearby Palomar Mountain, too.

Don’t assume that because you’re from the Midwest — that’s me! — you’re good to go. There are periodic checks up the mountain to make sure you’re prepared.

Best Hotels in Julian

As we’ve lived in San Diego, we visited the best of what to do in Julian on easy day trips from our home in North Park near Balboa Park. There are pretty adorable accommodation options in and around the mountain town if you’d like to stay awhile, though.

Browse the map for the best hotels in Julian and more apartment-style accommodations:

Julian is always worth the trip.

Julian is worth visiting for more than the apple pie. Yes, the apple scene is delicious, but Julian is also a great base for hiking the Cuyamaca mountains and exploring the town’s historical side.

The Julian Historic District is a California Historical Landmark thanks to the role it played as a California Gold Rush town.

During its height, Julian’s population rivaled that of San Diego’s first neighborhoods like Old Town and harborside Little Italy.

People wanted to strike it rich, so they set up temporary housing in town to try their luck. Julian was also home to much of the county’s Black population back in the day.

I know I kept returning to Julian for a reason. It’s fun, easy to find free things to do, and delicious to boot.

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