Julian, California is a tiny little town - originally a gold town - now the apple capital of the world . . . or at least southern california.
If you've grown tired of the seaside scenery, a drive out to Julian might be just the thing. The road is good all the way. It can get a little winding, depending on which route you take, but shouldn't take more than two hours.
Once you're here, plan on parking on a side street off the main road (free) and taking a leisurely stroll down mainstreet. There are plenty of unusual and quaint little shops here to keep grownups busy, although the kids will probably get tired of this so be sure to hang the promise of apple pie over their heads. I don't like using strollers here because, although mainstreet is pretty level, the sidestreets are pretty steep and the boardwalks on main are usually pretty crowded. The shops are small and most are not stroller friendly. A baby bjorn/backpack/front carrier would be a better solution for infants here.
For older kids and adults, checking out the gold mining history is very interesting. Try panning for gold and visiting the old gold mine. There are a couple of small museums and historic sites around and really unique gifts of all shapes and sizes.
Okay, so really the only reason my kids look forward to coming all the way out to Julian is the extremely yummy apple pie in the fall and the hikes available in the area. With a little preview of the native vegetation and wildlife, my kids find a lot to look forward to - and wear themselves out on the little dirt trails around the national park nearby to Julian.
I like walking mainstreet Julian for the old-time atmosphere and the goodies I can buy there. I love the Julian Cider Mill, which has apple cider, an assortment of both expected and unexpected flavors of preserves, nuts and dried fruits and candies.
Mom's Pies is on the same side of the street, but nearer the 4-way stop further down the street. The boysenberry apple pie is delicious, but they have several options for pies, soups and sandwiches and an quaint, old-fashioned atmosphere. The line there is always that long . . . for good reason.
I also like the soap and scents shop (sorry, can't remember the name!) that's almost directly across the street from Mom's. I can't stay inside for too long as the smells become overpowering, but I love their freshly dried leaf & fruit scent assortments - from citrus, to lime, to christmas - that you can buy in different sized boxes that you fill yourself. I use them when I'm storing linens or in a guest room before company comes. With toy shops, unusual clothing stores, handmade crafts and even buffalo meat, there is a little of something for all sorts of tastes.
A horse and buggy typically run. Apparently there is an afternoon comedy show (which we've never seen). There are some U-pick opportunities, but call ahead to see what their seasonal schedule is. Camping, horseback riding, hiking, and picnics are all great ways to spend a day or a couple of days.
If you decide to come out, make sure to check Julian's festival schedule, because although these events have a special atmosphere, there is also a severe parking and traffic problem at these times that you should be prepared for.
Check out this webpage to get more info and an event schedule and enjoy:
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