Error message

  • Lingotek profile ID 4 not found.
  • Lingotek profile ID 3 not found.
Julian VCW_D_SD_T9_lauridsen_Julian
Dave Lauridsen

Julian

Julian
Visit a surprising mountain town that’s as American as apple pie

Poised between the desert and the coast, a little more than an hour’s drive east of San Diego, this surprising mountain town makes a great day trip. Set at an elevation of 1,228 metres in the Cuyamaca Mountains, Julian has its roots in gold mining; tours of the Eagle Mining Co. take visitors into underground tunnels, and you can try your hand at gold panning—a surprisingly subtle and challenging art.

This region, known as East County, has also long attracted artists, and it’s fun to wander along Main Street to see works by local painters and craftspeople. Hopefully all that browsing will make you hungry for the town’s signature foodstuff: apple pie. Apples, planted for income after the gold ran out, thrive in the surrounding orchards, and the town has now turned into a magnet for apple pie fans (and, really, who isn’t an apple pie fan…). Where to start? Try the delectable crumb-topped Dutch apple pie and other treats at the Julian Pie Company.

Outside the town, visit pick your own orchards and fruit stalls selling crisp apples and apple products, especially from September to mid-October, during the Julian apple harvest. Another local product is wine, and you can join in with a grape stomp at Menghini Winery at the Julian Grape Stomp Festa in early September.

For a good walk, visit Volcan Mountain Preserve, where paths lace native grasslands and oak woodlands. For something more strenuous, take the challenging hike to the summit of 1,989-metre Cuyamaca Peak in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, or take in the panoramic views from the Desert View Trail in William Heise County Park.

Julian sandiegoskyline_resized_1280x642
Carol Highsmith

Southern California

Discover San Diego County

Julian vca_maps_sandiego
18
March
Average (°C)
Mar - May
19°
High
13°
Low
June - Aug
23°
High
18°
Low
Sept - Nov
22°
High
15°
Low
Mar - May
19°
High
13°
Low

Imagine 70 miles of sun-drenched coast, an inviting ocean, and a year-round daily forecast of 70°F, and you’ll understand why this southernmost stretch of the state is all about outdoor fun. Discover top theme parks and attractions like SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and LEGOLAND California.

The first European explorer to land in California, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, came ashore in San Diego in 1542.

Relax at legendary retreats like Hotel del Coronado, find art and culture in San Diego and surrounding cities like luxurious La Jolla, and enjoy world-class golf at Torrey Pines, and enjoy culture and diversity, all at the edge of a sparkling blue sea.

Julian VC_ChulaVista_Stock_RF_153222234_1280x640_0
Roy Bartels/Getty Images

Chula Vista

San Diego County’s second largest city boasts authentic Mexican food, a burgeoning craft beer scene and outdoor activities galore

About seven miles from central San Diego in one direction and the Mexican border in another, Chula Vista is quickly developing its own strong...

Julian VCW_TI_T11_lauridsen_140702_2634-sized
Stretching 1,942 feet, the historic Oceanside Pier is the longest wooden pier on the Pacific Ocean.
Giraffes at the San Diego Zoo
Giraffes at the San Diego Zoo

Spotlight: San Diego Zoo

Julian vca_maps_sandiego
See rare and endangered species

Visiting this expansive zoo in San Diego’s Balboa Park is more than a chance to see animals from all over the world: it’s a chance to see one of...

SPECIAL FEATURE
Discover quintessential sun and fun at these coastal charmers

Take one part water, one part sand, one part sun-soaked coastal charm, and you’ve got the recipe for some of the Golden State’s most appealing destinations....

Julian SanDiego_LaJolla_preview_686x885
Lucas Himovitz
Julian PoliteProvisions_SD_sized
Gwynne Spann

Where to eat, what to drink

Endless Sun, Oceanfront Dining & Craft Breweries

With its endless sun and ocean front location, as well as strong influences from Mexico, San Diego offers plenty of dining options—from flaky fish...

SPECIAL FEATURE
Kid-friendly fun zones, special kids' menus & amazing wine for the grownups

Sure wine country is romantic, but now it’s a surprisingly great destination for families too, with a growing number of vineyards trading in elegant tasting rooms for child-friendly fun zones that...

Julian VCW_SI_T5_John_preview_686x885
John/ Flickr
SPECIAL FEATURE
Check these amazing experiences off your bucket list

Kiss a beluga, see cool movie props, and learn about Walt’s secret hideaway on exclusive and behind the scenes tours at California’s theme parks and attractions. Here’s a roundup of actvities...

Julian VCW_SI_VIP_T1_MichaelSaechang_preview_686x885
Photo by Michael Saechang/Flickr
Julian LEGOLAND_SanFrancisco_LH_1280x642
Legoland California by Lucas Himovitz

Spotlight: Legoland California

Julian vca_maps_sandiego
Magical Recreations, Rollercoasters & Smiles

It’s hard to say who enjoys Legoland more: the little ones running around in a magical world created by 60 million LEGO plastic bricks or...

SPECIAL FEATURE
Unleash the kid within at California’s ultimate play lands

From Disneyland classics to beachfront carousels, the Golden State’s best-in-class theme parks deliver something for everyone, from tots and teens to film buffs and daredevils. Find out what is...

Julian AmazingThemeParks_preview_868x686
Lucas Himovitz
Julian SD_PipesBeach_Miller_1280x642
The historic 101 Café in Oceanside is the oldest continuously-operating restaurant on historic Highway 101.
A lion cub at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
San Diego Zoo Safari Park by Miller

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Julian vca_maps_sandiego
Find out where the wild things are

Like a journey to Africa, a day at this spectacular park lets you see some of the world’s most magnificent—and endangered—animals at close range...

SPECIAL FEATURE
Farm-fresh produce, culinary adventures

Juicy heirloom tomatoes and just-picked strawberries. Super-sweet peaches shaped like mini UFOs. Artisan cheeses, emerald-green olive oils, local wildflower honey—California’s farmers’ markets are...

Julian VCW_SI_FarmersMarket_T4_CV_DavisFrmMkt1_Flippen_preview_686x885
Laura Flippen
Thanks be to God, I arrived here...at this Port of San Diego. It is beautiful to behold, and does not belie its reputation.
Father Junipero Serra
SPECIAL FEATURE
Make memories at some of California's family-favourite beaches

Sand, water, and children-it’s a natural combination for easy family fun. These sandy beaches offer appealing, family friendly features, such as calm water for new swimmers, tide pools for...

Julian Carmel_BeachDog_Farnum_preview_686x885
Alex Farnum
Surfers on a San Diego Beach
San Diego by Dave Lauridsen

San Diego Surfing & Surf Culture

Try your hand at hangin’ 10—or at least get the look

Sometimes it seems as if everyone surfs in San Diego County. When the surf is up, there’s a steady stream of dudes (and plenty of dudettes,...

SPECIAL FEATURE
World-class accommodations in world-class locations

Head to the heart of California’s cities for luxurious stays at world-class hotels and resorts. From San Francisco’s historic hotels to celebrity hot spots in Hollywood and Beverly Hills,...

Julian PalaceHotel_LynGateley_preview_686x885
Lynn Gately/Flickr
SPECIAL FEATURE
Taste the delicious dishes from these amazing California chefs

From a pastel coloured pastry shop to Michelin-starred dining rooms, top restaurants run by celebrity chefs dot the Golden State. And even if you don’t know these chefs from the TV...

Julian VCW_SI_T10_Milliken&Feniger_Portrait_preview_686x885
Julian VCW_D_SD_T7_TorreyPines_lauridsen_140618_754-sized
Dave Lauridsen

San Diego Golf

Get your daily dose of greens at ocean front courses

Perfect weather, challenging courses and incredible settings make San Diego County a golfer’s dream destination. It’s not surprising that many of...

Julian VCW_D_SD_T9_lauridsen_Julian
Dave Lauridsen

Julian

Visit a surprising mountain town that’s as American as apple pie

Poised between the desert and the coast, a little more than an hour’s drive east of San Diego, this surprising mountain town makes a great day...

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
Julian vc_encinitas_st_rm_ey252g_1280x640
Cultura/Alamy

Encinitas

Head north of downtown San Diego to experience one of the best surfing cities in the world

Encinitas isn’t just a city; it’s a vibe. Visit the coastal community 25 miles north of downtown San Diego and you’ll instantly get a sense of ...

Julian vc_oceanside_st_rm_829793708_1280x640
Joe Polillio/Getty Images

Oceanside

Find exceptional restaurants, inventive breweries and a thriving local art scene in Northern San Diego County

It doesn’t take an etymologist to figure out how Oceanside got its name:...

Julian vc_carlsbad_st_rf_124930877_1280x640
Steve Skinnery/Getty Images

Carlsbad

This family-friendly coastal town has feel-good appeal

Carlsbad’s legacy as a tourist hotspot dates back to the 1880s, when a local farmer tapped into mineral-rich springs and a spa...