Julian California is an old historic gold mining time about an hour east of San Diego. Gold was discovered here in the 1870’s. The town was founded after the civil war as veterans of the Southern Confederate headed west to seek their fortunes. Mike Julian and cousin Drew Bailey found the area to their liking and the town that sprung up was named for Mike Julian. A cattleman found some gold flecks in one of the creeks and it was the start of San Diego’s only Gold Rush. It didn’t last very long and the residents then numbering in the area of 600 stayed to work the land. As it turned out, the land proved rich for growing apples. With 4 seasons mostly because of the mountainous areas, the rich land meadow still produces these sweet tasting apples even today. The current full time population is now less than 300 but because of the rich history and the quaint romantic village atmosphere, Julian attracts visitors from all over and when it’s Apple Festival Time, they come by the droves. Today with all the historic sites, one of the old gold mines is still open for tours, The Eagle and High Creek Mine. There you can take a tour of the hardrock mine and even pan for gold. Finding a fleck or two will make your day!
Julian is a small village and one with so much grace and charm, visitors come to also enjoy the scenery, the mountains and the rich romantic atmosphere, not to mention some of the best Apple Pie that you ever have tasted. I observed the fall colors of the foliage as you will see in some of the pictures and it is so very beautiful. Not something we get to see here much in California. But you will see it in Julian. As you would guess with the folks that want to go and visit,Julian has accommodations for all these year around visitors. Julian has developed and boasts of now being the Bed and Breakfast capitol of Southern California. With B & B’s located all over town, I think they are right.
I hope you will enjoy this little photo tour as we turn back the clocks to another era. I am in love with this town and the pies are out of this world. I also observed that the people are so friendly and the residents treat you just like family!
PS. I discovered this horse just west of downtown. When I walked up to him, he seemed to very interested that I might be carrying some food. I didn’t have any but he (she-I didn’t look?) posed for me. I think this horse knows about cameras. So that is why his ( her) picture is here. I will say it was the biggest horse I remember seeing but then think about where we are, in Apple Country. Enjoy the tour!
I consider San Diego an excellent place to live and would love to share with you my enthusiasm for the many communities that encompass it. Looking forward to assisting you with your Real Estate needs.
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A long time ago when I attended SDSU, I went to Apple Days at Julian with a friend, it was a wonderful fall day! Thanks for the nice walk down memory lane!
I looovveddd this story and I adored the picture show!!!! The horsie was looking at ME. I would love to go on a carriage ride and visit all the shops there! But can you stand in line for an apple pie for me? (arthritis you know). Beautiful presentation with a touch of William in there. Loved it!
Good post. Thanks for sharing with us all.
Hi Sally ,So many thanks for seeing this. I live about an hour away and I went there yesterday. A town we passed through, Ramona tonight is being 100% evacuated. We have high Santa Ana dry winds and the fires are spreading so fast. We are all under alert and the smoke and the particulats are heavy in the air. The smell is just like 4 years when Julian was almost destryed ,save a change in nthe woinds and the downtown area was saved. A news alert was just announced and the town next us, Poway, is on alert for evacuation. This is the worst I have ever seen it because the winds are so dry and so intense.
Hi Deborah, Many Thanks for your nice comments. There are big fires just east and Ramona has been completely evacuated.
Gosh, thanks for the reminder! October is my favorite time to get up there. Hope those Santa Anas go away quickly!
We were on our way home from Phoenix, last night, and stopped in Pine Valley for dinner. We debated the idea of driving up to Julian for the night and going hiking today. Can you imagine what we would have woken up to this morning?
Hi Bob and Caroline, Many Thanks for sharing this. It is such a beautiful place and it was wonderful be able to visit it again. Had a piece of the Boysenberry Apple Pie we brought home yesterday for dinner and it was FANTABULOUS !
Looks like a great event Thanks for the info
Hi Brian, Thankfully you didn't go. Instincts! The reason we went yesterday is because we knew the winds were coming today. Who could have ever guessed what has fallen upon them and every community from there to here in north county.
Sharon, Ramona just to the west of it is already being evacuated. Poway ,is on alert now. it is getting very bad and the fires are spreading very fast with extra high winds. Many thanks for writing and I am sure glad we got there to see and record this event.
It was Richard and hope you enjoyed it. I tis a unique and wonderful town.
I saw the fires on the news tonight....one dead and lots evacuated...take care please.
I lived in San Diego from 1970 (moved with my parents as a child) until I moved in 1989 to Pasadena, and I remember in the early '70's that there was a devastating fire that burned so much of the east county that in school we raised "pennies for pines" to help re-plant the burned areas.
There are so many awful fires made worse by the Santa Ana winds...I hope the winds die down soon, the fires are put out, and that everyone is safe.
Very sweet graphics. I didn't read your article, I just like the pictures!....
Deborah, thank you so much for your concern and as we speak it is spreading and I went outside a few minutes and the winds are so high, that it is blowing my plants down. There are 2 heads of the fire now, San Pasquale and the other is RT 52 at Poway. Ramona is now evacuated and the fires are are moving into the NE part of the city of San Diego.
Hi Sally, the fires are growing and the strong smell of smoke in the house is unbelievable. I just went into the garage and everything is covered with ash, The outside patio looks like someone dropped the ashes ourt of a fireplace evenly over everything. It is beyong description what is going on.
I'll keep you posted.
Hi Rich, It is San Diego's only gold mining town, or at least it was for about 10 years. I got all the history yesterday when I was talking to the townfolk. Some of the people that work there in the town live in Ramona and it is already evacuated from the fires sweeping east county. I live about 50 miles from Julian and about 30 miles from Ramona.
Hi William,
Julian, what a great place, I just love it! I think I read somewhere it was one of the last stage coach stops along the route. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Lynda, It surely might have been. It is almost imaginable. Had they put a railrod line in, it would have become a modern town. Sure glad they didn't .
I visited Julian a few years ago. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
William--Julian looks like a great place to visit...Thanks for sharing! Loved the slideshow!
Let us know how you are....tried to call a couple of times...that dreaded recorded message....all circuits are busy.
William...I loved the show!
Please keepus updated on how you are doing! how about the doggies?
EVERYONE:
I tried to call William all day and I kept getting that recording....."all circuits are busy..please try your call again later". My call finally went through at 4:30pm my time. William was in a hotel (the LAST room left that he had confirmed!) and we spoke for a half hour.
If it's one thing that is most profound for me is writing for a length of time and commenting back and forth with another member and then...when we chat on the phone.....the conversation on the phone is EXACTLY like that person writes. I love it!
We chatted as old friends....and he's safe in the hotel with his poochies....and he will write a post on everything in a day or so.
William, so glad that you are safe. Enjoyed talking to you and now, I feel better about reading this great article and commenting.
Julian looks like the most quaint little town just like you said it would. So glad that they missed the fire this time around. I bet the apple pie is delicious...hmmm can almost taste it!
Can't wait to read your new article about the castle...
Sally, thanks for letting us know how William is doing, and that he is safe! I hope the winds die down soon...it's just awful....
William, I'm glad to hear that your home was spared. We will get through this. Maybe then I can visit Julian for some apple pie.
At one time I wanted to buy some land in Santa Ysabel. They always seem to be right in the path of the fires.
Take care.
Bill Roberts
To WooHoo Sally, our phone system is over-taxed because so many people have been evacuated and the fire fighters all have to use the cell phone system also.
Hi Bill, Getting back on to ActiveRain and wanted to thank you for you very nice message. I am in the hotel ,returning home tomorrow. I went to house today and cleaned up a lot of debris and removed the smoke in the house with air filters and ran the air conditioning. The garage is permeated and covered inside with ash as the cracks around the overhead door allowed in so much. Will move back in tomorrow late morning.
Sally and I connected finally early evening and it was wonderful to talk to her. She is indeed a special friend.
Many Thanks again Bill!
PS,Regrettably Julian was evacuated when the winds changed last last night.