Julian is what happens when a Gold Rush town discovers apples. In 1870, miners flooded these mountains chasing gold. The gold ran out; the apple orchards didn’t. Today, this tiny town at 4,200 feet elevation is famous for one thing above all else: pie. Apple pie, specifically, made with apples grown in the same mountain soil where miners once panned for gold.
The drive to Julian is half the experience. You leave the coast, climb through the Cuyamaca Mountains on winding Highway 79, and watch the landscape transform from suburban sprawl to oak woodlands to pine forests. The temperature drops 15-20 degrees. The air changes. By the time you reach Main Street, you’ve left San Diego behind entirely.
I’ve been making the Julian drive for 25 years, and it never gets old. In October, when the apple harvest peaks and the oaks turn gold, the town is at its most magical. But even in the quiet months — a Tuesday in March, say — Julian delivers: a slice of apple pie at Mom’s, a walk down Main Street, and the feeling of being in a mountain town that hasn’t fundamentally changed in 150 years.
What Makes Julian Different?
Julian is San Diego’s escape valve. When the coast is too crowded and the city too loud, the mountains are an hour away. The town itself is tiny — Main Street is maybe four blocks long — but the charm is concentrated. Century-old buildings house pie shops, antique stores, and a general store that still creaks when you walk in.
The apple pie competition is real and fierce. Mom’s Pie House and Julian Pie Company are the two headliners, but Apple Alley Bakery and several others make worthy contenders. Everyone has an opinion on which is best. My advice: try multiple. At $6-8 a slice, a pie crawl is one of the best bargains in San Diego County.
The Gold Rush history adds depth. The Eagle Mining Company offers guided underground tours of an 1870s gold mine ($10/adult). The Julian Pioneer Museum has artifacts from the Gold Rush era. And the town’s layout — the single Main Street, the surrounding ranches — hasn’t changed much since the miners left.
Mountain Gold
Oak trees turn amber above Julian's Main Street as the smell of fresh apple pie drifts from bakeries that have been baking since before automobiles.
Where to Eat in Julian?
Mom’s Pie House — The original Julian apple pie. The Dutch Apple Crumb ($7/slice) is the signature. They also make boysenberry, strawberry-rhubarb, and pecan. Get there before noon on weekends — they sell out. Cash preferred.
Julian Pie Company — Mom’s main rival. Their apple-mountain berry ($7/slice) is the contender. Also serves sandwiches and soups ($10-14) for a full lunch. The a la mode with local vanilla ice cream is non-negotiable.
Julian Beer Company — Craft brewery on Main Street with a dozen taps. The Hard Cider (made from Julian apples) is the move. Bar food ($12-18) is solid. Great patio for mountain air.
Wynola Pizza Express — In the Wynola area just outside Julian. Wood-fired pizza ($14-20) that’s surprisingly excellent for a mountain town. Good for families.
Julian Grille — The town’s most established restaurant. American comfort food ($14-28) in a cozy Main Street setting. Their pot roast and meatloaf are the kind of food that suits mountain weather.
What to Do in Julian?
Is the Gold Mine Tour Worth It?
The Eagle Mining Company ($10/adult) runs guided tours of an authentic 1870s gold mine. You walk 1,000 feet into the mountain while the guide explains how hard-rock mining worked. It’s educational, fun for all ages, and a genuine piece of California Gold Rush history. Tours run continuously — just show up. Budget 45 minutes.
What About Hiking?
Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve offers a 5-mile round-trip hike from a trailhead just outside town. The summit has panoramic views: the desert to the east, mountains to the north, and on clear days, the ocean to the west. Moderate difficulty, well-maintained trail. Free, open dawn to dusk. Bring water and layers — the mountain weather changes quickly.
Is Main Street Worth Walking?
For 3-4 blocks, yes. Pie shops, antique stores, a candy shop, the historical museum, and various craft vendors. It’s small — you’ll cover it in 30-45 minutes. The charm is in the pace, not the scale. Bring cash for the pie shops and small vendors.
Fall Foliage?
Julian is one of the only places in San Diego County with real fall color. The oak trees turn gold and amber in October-November. The orchards are heavy with apples. Drive the back roads around Wynola and Cuyamaca for the best displays. It’s not New England, but for Southern California, it’s remarkable.
Pie Town, USA
Five bakeries, a century of apple trees, and the eternal question: Mom's or Julian Pie Company? There's only one way to decide.
Scott’s Pro Tips
- Getting There: I-8 East to Highway 79 North. The drive is 60 minutes from downtown and scenic through the Cuyamaca Mountains. October weekends, Highway 79 backs up — leave before 9am. The CA-78 route through Ramona is an alternative.
- Parking: Free parking on Main Street and side streets. October weekends fill up by 11am — come early. The overflow lot on C Street always has room.
- Pie Strategy: Get to Mom's or Julian Pie Company by 10am on weekends — they sell out of popular flavors by early afternoon. Buy whole pies to bring home ($18-22) — they travel well and make great gifts.
- Weather: Julian is 4,200 feet and 15-20°F cooler than the coast. Bring layers even in summer. Winter can bring snow — rare and magical for San Diegans. Check road conditions in winter (Highway 79 occasionally closes).
- Day Trip Plan: Leave SD by 9am → arrive 10am → pie at Mom's → Main Street walk → mine tour → lunch at Julian Pie Company → drive home by 3pm. Add a Volcan Mountain hike for a full day.
- Combine With: Julian to [Anza-Borrego](/destinations/anza-borrego/) is 45 minutes via Highway 78 (Montezuma Grade). In spring, do Julian for pie and Anza-Borrego for wildflowers in one day — one of the best day trips from San Diego.
Julian is proof that San Diego isn’t just a beach town. An hour from the coast, 4,200 feet up, a Gold Rush town makes apple pie in the same mountain orchards that have produced fruit for 150 years. It’s simple, it’s charming, and after 25 years, I still drive up there every October for that first slice of pie at Mom’s. Some things in San Diego never change, and that’s exactly the point.