//
Census-designated place in California, United States
Photo: --Microsomen 17:11, 31 May 2005 (UTC), CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Julian is a town in San Diego County, about one hour inland from San Diego.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Camping, biking, hiking, a large variety of flowering cacti, palm groves, bighorn sheep and exotic birds.
The beautiful park offers camping and hiking in an oak woodland forest, with a sprinkling of pines and lovely meadows with creeks. There are over 100 miles of trails which accommodate hikers, bikers, and equestrians.
Family fishing lake with camping. Picnicking, boating, hiking, nature walks and cabins. Terrific wildlife watching. Free fishing class every Saturday. Cabins with lake view. Fishing permits - $6 for adults - $3.50 for kids (8 through 15). You will need a California State Fishing License if you are 16 years of age or older. Motorboat rentals - $40 all day - $30 after 1PM Rowboats - $15 all day - $12 after 1PM
Preserve is home to wildlife, spring wildflowers, several species of oak and pine. Guided walks on weekends. Trailhead: off Farmer Road, north of Julian; take Farmer Road to Wynola Road, turn right 100 yards, turn left on Farmer Road; enter trail through stone gates.
Trail information is available at the Ranger Kiosk. There is a trail to the lookout, which affords views of the desert and ocean on a clear day.
11 miles of multi-use trails.
Picnic areas, campgrounds, restrooms, plus 70 miles of hiking trails, including the Pacific crest trail. Dogs-on-leash are welcome on trails.
Hikes of varying length and difficulty, including the Observatory trail and Doane Valley Nature Trail.
Adventure calls! Explore the Anza-Borrego desert on 2- and 4-hour tours, overnight camping trips or full 30-hour excursions aboard ex-military troop carriers. Private jeep tours also.
Provides Julian 1870s Gold Rush Tours and field trips, including the musical Gold Hill, town site guided tour, Eagle Mine tour & lunch.
Tour one of Julian's original gold mines. Guides lead you through the intricate path of tunnels in the hard rock mine and share tales of the life of early residents of Julian. Call for hours of operation.
Discover gold & minerals using gold pans, sluice box and 'rockers.' Hayrides, U-Press cider, gift shop, raspberry picking & pumpkin patch in fall.
Experience the most scenic side of Julian from the area's "original trail riding stables." Unparalleled views. Thousands of satisfied customers. Reservations required.
Beautiful backcountry scenery: mountain ridges, wooded forests, alpine meadow, ponds, wonderful wildlife. Reservations requested.
The museum is housed in an old stone building that was once the Mayerhofer Brewery & Treshil Blacksmith Shop. Located at 2811 Washington St., it is 1 block from the Town Hall. Nicknamed, “Julian’s Little Attic” the museum is a treasure chest of artifacts from the not-too-distant past.
1-hour tour of the night sky. View the planets, galaxies, star clusters and the moon through large research grade telescopes, led by an experienced astronomer.
Dig pink and green tourmaline gemstones from world famous Himalaya Tourmaline Mine. Open year-round, rain or shine, Thursday - Monday at Lake Henshaw Resort.
During the "Julian Train & Gold Mine Tour", you can take a 1-mile train ride on narrow gauge mining railroad, explore the Smith Ranch 1870 gold rush mine, and pan for gold. November–December, enjoy a memorable mountain ride aboard the Smith Ranch & Julian Railroad's "Christmas Train Express". Additional tours include "Pioneerways" and "American Revolution Adventures. Phone or email to reserve your seat.
Map available for self-tour at the Chamber office located at the Town Hall---on the corner of Main & Washington Streets. Plaques placed on historic buildings on Main, Second, Third, Washington, B and C Streets reveal Julian history from Gold Rush times to the 1920s.
Fresh cider, preserves, fruits and souvenirs, so bring your cameras.
A Certified Organic Orchard (California Certified Organic Farm) since 2000. Apples and pears numbering 1000 trees. Offers u-pick in September until the end of harvest (October).
Open in October, Friday through Sunday, 10AM to 5PM until the apples are gone. The farm was first planted in the 1930s with many varieties of antique apples and pears now available for fresh fruit sales.
Grows over 30 varieties of apples and pears.
Serving a variety of homemade apple pies, pastries and cookies. Lunch menu includes potpies, calzone, soup, sandwiches and salad.
Locally owned family business specializing in apple pies and cider donuts. Some 17,000 trees provide apples for pies at their Julian and Santa Ysabel locations.
Through the front window, watch Mom’s bakers lovingly prepare pies and baked goods for you. Steaming soups and sandwiches served on freshly baked whole-wheat buns.
Old-fashioned "real" candy store. 450 types of candy, hand-made fudge, maple, licorice, salt water taffy, chocolates.
Candy, caramel apples, honey, dried fruits, apple butter, jams and jellies, marmalades, preserves, cider, honey.
Texas style barbecue, wood smoked meats, fresh homemade salads, rolls, pies, live music Friday & Saturday nights, catering available. Beer, wine, cocktails, kids menu, Visa/MC.
A full-service pastry shop specializing in classic pastries, artisan breads, elegant wedding cakes, and candied apples.
Rustic decor with a cowgirl touch. Features meatloaf sandwich and apple cider float.
California fresh cuisine. Burgers made from scratch, etc. Beer and wine, too.
Original old-fashioned soda fountain and diner with full breakfast and lunch menu. Daily specials. Open 8AM to 5PM
Authentic Mexican food. All dishes are homemade. Known locally for carne asada, they also serve pizza and lasagna. Beer and wine. Inside dining and drive-through. M/C & Visa. Family owned.
Sicilian and other Italian dishes in lovely setting. Plentiful servings and homemade baked goods and desserts. Patio dining available.
Steaks, seafood, down-home cooking. Lunch and dinner daily.
Intimate cafe with fresh flowers all around. Eggs benedict is their specialty for breakfast and there are soups & salads for lunch.
Live music Saturday. Pizza and other dishes made from scratch, including vegetarian dishes. Patio & dining room seating.
Over 20 kinds of bread, a full deli, a variety of pastries including seasonal delights.
Tea is served daily in a charming turn-of-the-century home. Afternoon tea consists of finger sandwiches, scone with whipped cream, homemade jam and dessert.
A unique "bed and 'do-it-yourself' breakfast". Three separate, private cabins with full kitchens, wood stoves or fireplace, Cal-king beds, private baths with showers and tubs, off street parking, and the peace and quiet of the mountains. Supplies for your first breakfast are provided as well as coffee and tea. Each cabin has its own character, surrounded by trees and wildlife, but all share the amazing view from the Cuyamaca peaks to the ocean and beyond.
Five charming rooms, fireplaces, gourmet breakfasts, AAA 3 diamond rating.
Town site Victorian with great views. Four guestrooms feature fireplaces, TV/DVD/CD stereos, private patios and a two room suite. Full country breakfast & desserts, AC, pool & spa, wi-fi, kids 5 years and older welcome, golden retrievers. Sleeps up to 11, extra person fee.
Old Julian charm, town site, 3 suites sleep 2-10.
Bed and breakfast.
Beautiful country setting. Trees, gardens, charming, intimate. Rose Cottage for 2; or Woods Room for 2. Private entry, patio, bath, fireplace. Elegant spa/gazebo. Room service. Breakfasts.
Spacious country room. Great amenities: private baths and entries, guest-only pool, continental breakfast provided in room.
Private guest rooms. Lobby with TV and library. On-site observatory telescopes are available for guests to use.
AAA four-diamond inn with 22 rooms in downtown Julian. Each stay includes a full breakfast and afternoon hors d'ouevres. An excellent, flavorful four-course dinner is also served on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
RV and Camping retreat specializing in vintage trailers located on 85 wooded acres. Group camping; limited hook-ups; dump station; Olympic pool.
Clean and quiet campground. RV and tent camping, fishing pond, campfires allowed.
Breathtaking views, beautiful Victorian decor, honeymoon suite and family rooms. Jacuzzi tub, fireplace and queen bed in rooms. Satellite TV and AC. Children OK.
Secluded four room B & B, located in the woods one mile from Julian, which features private hot and whirlpool tubs, fireplaces and featherbeds. AAA / 3 diamond approved.
Replicas of Old West weapons, lingerie, Native American Indian items, jewelry, gifts for golfers.
Artwork by Robert Freeman and Julian artists.
Rock and gift shop selling rocks and minerals, books, native American jewelry and artifacts, gem sluice, geode cutting, yard art and plants, pendulums and crystals.
Limited edition prints books, jewelry, home accents and gifts. Children's room features educational supplies and books.
Old time costume photography in sepia tone. 1-10 people and people with dogs.
Providing goods that bikers find useful, functional, fun, warm or just plain cool! Includes thermal underwear, socks, warm clothing, masks, gloves, cargo needs, etc. for the ride.
Progressively old fashioned gifts, jewelry, collectibles. Local arts, local crafts.
Beads, gifts, classes, family activities and fun (and Golden Retrievers, too.)
Purveyors of outdoor adventure equipment. Featuring day packs, backpacks, clothing, shoes and gear. Also, maps, books and Cleveland National Forest Adventure Passes.
Go back in time to the old west in this unique gift store. You'll find items from the parlor to the boudoir reminiscent of old saloon days.
Exhibiting regional contemporary and traditional artists in all media with emphasis on California style plein air painting and local artist James Hubbell. Located in historic and picturesque Hillyer house.
Museum, religious articles & everyday gifts and collectibles.
Housed in a historic barn, the Skagen Ranch Studio offers fine art from Africa, India, Romania and other countries around the world. By appointment only.
Hand-crafted items made by local crafters. Sewing, woodwork, jewelry. Craft shows held monthly in the Julian Town Hall.
A rustic former apple cider house that features shopping, wine tasting, hard apple cider tasting and the Julian Certified Farmers Market every Sunday from 11AM to 4PM.
A variety of antique and collectible dealers located in the historical fruit packing shed in Wynola - 3 miles West of Julian.
By bus
An extremely limited bus service is available via MTS. Route 891 runs once weekly, on early Friday afternoon, from El Cajon with a journey time of just under two hours.
Once you arrive in Julian the best thing to do is find parking and stroll Main Street. To visit the local wineries, state parks, and Julian Train you will need to drive.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
San Diego · International · SAN
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Julian and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
9 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
7 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.