Julian, CA

We took part of the day on Friday (on one of the most beautiful afternoons we have seen in a while, with temps in the low 90s due to the Santa Ana winds) to visit Julian California, about 50+ miles from Carlsbad in the mountains just outside the Cleveland National Forest.

Julian is an old gold rush mining town (there are still mines you can visit) and it retains much of the charm, the old homes and buildings, and the atmosphere of those times (there's even a couple of horse drawn buggies to enjoy).

At the same time, however, it has also become quite the tourist attraction for folks from all over Southern California.

At 5000 feet above sea level, Julian feels dramatically different from coastal Southern California, with lots of pine trees, and the town is known for its apples and the famed Julian Apple Pie Company, with multiple orchards and a popular winery.

There is the Main Street, and a number of side streets which offer an array of shops (e.g., Mustang Sally's), eateries (The Julian Grille is a favorite) and services, along with the famous pie company outlet, and the town is small enough to easily walk in its entirety in 1 day.

There are several charming and popular hotels and B and Bs which make a stay in Julian overnight well worth the trip through the mountains. Know that it can get quite warm in the summer but during the winter temps can get cool enough for snow and frost.

October is the busiest time, especially on weekends because of the Apple Days Festival and other events (the high school homecoming and parade was happening when we were there), and it can take time to get into the heart of town and park at peak tourist times.

Being a REALTOR, I couldn't help but stop by the windows of some of the local brokerages to check out the real estate - prices are better than at the coast, but not actually inexpensive, depending on what you want. There is quite an array of property for sale in the area, from cabins to luxury homes with dramatic mountain views, ranging in price from about $45,000 up to almost $3 million.

If you are looking for a fun place to visit and explore in the mountains, or have a hankerin' to buy (or picl) apples, head for Julian California.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

We spent part of the day yesterday in Julian, California, an old mining town in the mountains about 1/5 hours from Carlsbad. I am always on the lookout for what other real estate brokerages and agents are doing, and some signs, names, and ads just naturally catch my eye.

I saw this from a distance, and being where we were my first thought it might be a bar or pool hall or something - you know, the old wild west mining thing? When I got close and saw the tag line I thought...ah, resale homes on the mountain, a real estate office. Sometimes I have a one track mind.

And of course I immediately thought of good friend Woo Hoo Sally Cheeseman in Hawaii because of the name.

But it turns out Mustang Sally's is a consignment shop of sorts. I still thought it was a great name and it does sorta grab your attention. Needless to say we were not in market for used clothing so went on our way.

Dining out is a favorite activity of mine. And of the Julian restaurants The Julian Grille in Julian CA is the best, in my opinion.

We take an annual trip (and sometimes more) to Julian CA to enjoy the town, the quaint shops, and of course the apples and apple pie for which Julian is famous.

We always take time to have lunch at The Julian Grille in the heart of town on Main Street. Taking a trip to Julian is a fun thing to do for a day or overnight and a beautilful drive through the mountains from Carlsbad. 

The Julian Grille is in a quaint old home and offers a number of individual dining rooms - the enclosed porch is the best, offering views of the street so you can take in Main Street while dining.

There is a miniscule bar (room for 3-4) plus plenty of outdoor dining on the cover patio under the trees in warmer weather.

Being at about 5000 feet above sea level, Julian gets cold enough for snow in the winter, which can be a great time to enjoy visiting without the hoards of tourists (and a treat for us Californians who want a taste of snow) during apple season on the weekends. 

The place gets jammed when there is a big event in town, especially the Apple Days Festival, but otherwise is not to hard to get seated in for lunch. Dinner on weekends in the summer and fall are more crowded - I suggest reservations to be sure. 

The lunch menu offers a wide range of salads (my spinach salad with grilled salmon was excellent), among other things, and dinner might consist of beef, fish, chicken, pasta and other creative offerings. They have a respectable wine list with reasonable prices for lunch and dinner. With linens and old silverware, you can't help but feel the history of this old house in the heart of one of the early California mining towns. Well worth a drive (less than 1.5 hours) from the coast. 

The Julian Grille is located at 2224 Main Street in Julian.

You can make reservations and other inquiries at (760) 765-0173.

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad real estate and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2009 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits

Julian's Pole Out Ceremony

From the Julian Chamber of Commerce.

This event celebrates the completion of the 20A Utility Conversion Project along Main Street in Historical Downtown Julian.
Representing a significant joint effort among the County of San Diego, Community of Julian, SDG&E, AT&T & Cable USA

June 19th at 11:00 a.m. Julian residents, project participants, and San Diego County local dignitaries will "gather round the pole." This "pole" is the last one slated for removal in this phase of Julian's "Street Beautification Project." The plan is to have it ceremoniously popped out of the ground and trucked away. It might possibly be an emotional farewell for some of us.
It started in 2003 as a simple idea offered by the Chamber Marketing Directors: Julie Degenfelder, Wayne Moretti, and Frank Pease. It became a vision of economic benefits for local merchants and an esthetic gift to residents and all who travel through Julian. They had no formal plan and soon learned similar ideas had not produced the desired result.
A team evolved, two residents dedicated to a program they considered a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity. They researched on line, asked questions, and would never accept "no" as final answer. They took up the cause, knowing they would have to persevere; literally years of researching and responding to funding requirements, and detailed planning recommendations would require their attention.
Near the end of 2004 our team of two walked about town with state and county officials and electric, telephone and cable representatives too. They met several key professionals who initially offered advice but became allies upon experiencing the dedication these two demonstrated. During one official "walk through" a minimum easement requirement of 5 ft. needed to be verified. The "petite one" laid down on a sidewalk and used her height to prove the required easement was satisfied. (Now that's dedication!)
During 2005 the State of California approved the project and placed Julian at the top of the Capital Improvements list for the upcoming five year cycle. On February 28, 2007 the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego ordained Underground Utility District No. 104. The dedicated two actually allowed themselves to believe; the idea, it might really happen, and in their lifetime too!
Under the direction of Lawrence Hirsch, Utilities Coordinator for the Department of Public Works, the tangible phase of the project was set in motion. In spring of 2008 the entire town became aware of colored markings on the streets and sidewalks and (small town that we are) rumors flew through town faster than the 4th of July Vintage Aircraft Flyovers. Fears of total business interruption during Apple Days arose. Yes, we did stub our toes once or twice but Superintendent David Hitzeman of A. M. Ortega General Engineering Contractor assembled a crew of courteous individuals that responded to concerns immediately. Everyone was treated with respect as the streets and sidewalks were sliced & diced and then swept clean. The crews departed on Thursdays to provide normal weekends for Julian. Roadwork ceased as harvest season arrived.
Apple Days was a bit earlier and lasted a bit longer than usual. The Triangle Club presented their Melodrama as elegantly as always. Through the new donated windows framed so beautifully by new curtains, one could look out from Town Hall on winter and never imagine the view would change in such a dramatic way. The winter of 2008 was mild and an early end of precipitation worked well for those of us anxious to see the wires disappear.
Spring, 2009 will have only two days remaining when we wave "good bye" to the last pole of this project. The initial proposal, from idea to pole out, has taken less than six years. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore downtown Julian to a vision of our past is quite a gift from two residents.
Julie Degenfelder and Wayne Moretti have each indicated they view the improvement project as a lifetime commitment to Julian. It sounds like the next chapter is about to begin. How do we say thank you for what we have already been given?

June 19, 2009

Corner of Main and Washington

Ceremony at 11 a.m.

Refreshments Immediately Following in the Town Hall