It's Apple Days in Julian
For more than a century, the town of Julian, California has celebrated its renowned fall harvest. Through mid-November, and into the holiday season, visitors to Julian are treated to weekend living history events, part of the Apple Days Festival, carolers strolling on the sidewalks on Saturdays in December, and the spirited pioneer town in its prime fall colors.

There's a lot to see and do in and around town, so here's a start to exploring the history and charms of Julian:

Apples, Grapes, and Treats Galore
Julian doesn't let its visitors leave town hungry, or thirsty.  Peek inside the working kitchen of Mom's Pie House (there may be a line to get in!), located on Main Street.  Homemade apple pies and pastries are coming out of the oven, visible from the sidewalk viewing window.

Fall harvest also brings out the ripened grapes.  Julian and area vintners are producing nationally award-winning wines.

Meghini Winery, located three miles out of Julian, specializes in premium varietals and is one of several area wineries offering seasonal apple wine.  Menghini is open daily for wine tasting on its 10-acre vineyard and apple orchard, where picnickers are welcomed.

The Bailey Woodpit Barbecue restaurant prepares its meats for hours over California live oak.  it's easy to be lured by the grill's smoke that at times seems like a false fire alert.  Hunger is extinguished when ice cold beers and barbecue ribs, cole slaw, and potato salad arrive on the table.

Promoted as the "last original soda fountain", the Miner's Diner and Original Olde Fashioned Soda Fountain was established in 1928.  It continues its tradition of serving guests - bellied up to the bar - with old style ice cream shakes and hamburgers reminiscent of the Soda Fountain's social era.

Living History
Step inside a horse-drawn surrey for a narrated gallop around town with Main Street Carriage Company.  The history tours are 15 minutes long and cost $7 for adults and $3 for children.  The guide will share fun facts, such as how Julian was selected to be named for Michael Julian, because he was the more handsome and charismatic of the founders.

Grab the reins and head out to trail at Julian Stables Trail Rides, located a mile west from Julian.  For $55 a person, riders over the age of nine are led on horseback for a one hour tour in a 30-acre ranch with views of surrounding mountains.  Guests also learn about Julian's history through the guide's narrations.

Julian is known as the bed and breakfast capitol of Southern California.

Plan a weekend getaway and book a room with a fireplace at the Julian Hotel, founded in 1897 under the original name Hotel Robinson.  The bed and breakfast is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in its service hosted miners, politicians, traveling salesmen, and sightseers of yesterday and today.

Explore two gold mines at Eagle and High Peak Mine, located at the end of C Street.  A guided one-hour tour through level tunnels will introduce guests to the life and times of gold miners in the late 1800's.  Gold mining continued in Julian until about World War II when the all-consuming war effort led to the shuttering of mines.  Recreational mining continues today.

Specialty Shopping
Shopping in Julian is like trying to choose the perfect apple from the tree.  What does one do when all the apples look tempting?  Unique shops line the streets and the roads leading to and from town.  Shoppers will find fine art, such as blown glass, pottery, oil paintings, and more.  Browse through antique stores, clothing boutiques, and specialty shops offering vintage Native American jewelry, hiking supplies, and candied apples and delicacies.

Julian 1869
Civil War Confederate veterans from Georgia, Drue Bailey, Michael Julian, and some cousins, headed west to settle new lands.  They were ready to move on but reconsidered when a gold nugget created a frenzy of excitement.

In 1869, cattleman Fred Coleman and his mule were camping along a seasonal creek a couple miles west of what is now Julian.  As the legend goes, the mule kicked over the first visible piece of gold while getting a drink from cool waters.  Word quickly spread, and Southern California's gold rush was on, lasting well into the early 1900's.

For a three-dollar donation, visitors to Julian Pioneer Museum can explore the town's first 50 years through nature and cultural history exhibits.  See Native American artifacts, gold mining pans, taxidermied indigenous animals, or Julian's first tin bathtub with wooden rails.

Fortunately, wildfires have never devasted Julian, though they come close.  For this reason, visitors can see many of the town's original structures, such as the old jailhouse, Julian Pioneer Cemetery, and gold mines.

If you go:
Plan ahead, as some activities or tours may require reservation.

For more information:
Julian chamber of Commerce:  www.julianca.com or 760-765-1857.
Julian Merchants Association:  www.julianmerchants.org or 760-765-4758.