Have you heard of those oh-so-delicious Julian pies? If not, you’re definitely missing out! Grab a friend, or the whole family, and find out about all the things to do in Julian, CA for under $10. Not only will you get to indulge in some tasty pies and apple cider, you’ll get to pick the apples too!
Located just 1-hour east of San Diego and 2.5-hours south of Los Angeles is the historic gold-mining town of Julian, CA. Nestled in the Cuyamaca mountain range, Julian provides a glimpse back into the old mining days with some family attractions, surrounded by gorgeous hiking areas.
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Stroll through Downtown Julian, CA
There’s one main street comprised of about 4 blocks in Julian, CA, filled with adorable mercantile shops, cafes and artist galleries. Make sure to wander down the little alleyways off the Main Street to find shops hidden behind other shops. While walking around town is free, you might end up spending well over $10 on all the fun trinkets 😉.
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Foodie Spots in Julian, CA:
Breakfast: Regulars Wanted Cafe – grab a coffee and pastry for under $10. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more filling, they’ve got that bomb.com thick bacon!
Lunch: Miner’s Diner is a 50’s style diner that first opened in 1885 as a mercantile building filled with a few cafes, pharmacies, and other shops inside. In 1933, it was purchased and remodeled as a cafe, candy shop and general store. The current owners have not changed much since then.
Dinner & Drinks: You can’t miss the adorable indoor/outdoor brewery and eatery housed in a bright red barn, right off Julian’s main street. This is Julian Beer Co. and they serve up 18+ beers on tap as well as mouth-watering BBQ and pizza. Many of the beers are brewed right on the property, which was originally the home of the town’s founder.
Cider: You can’t come to Julian and not try cider, hard apple cider that is 😉! Right off of Highway 78, you’ll find Calico Ranch & Cidery. Come bask in the sun amongst the apple trees while sipping on a tasty cider every Friday – Sunday from 11am to sunset.
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Grab a Pie
No trip to Julian, CA is complete without stopping at one of the famous pie shops in town. Buy a slice or go for the big kahuna and get a full pie all for yourself 🤩! You’ll win brownie points by bringing home a pie to your friends and family…or I guess I should say “pie points!?!”
Julian Pie Company
Family-owned since 1986, you will likely still see the family members baking and serving up pies at Julian Pie Company. Located towards the end of the main boulevard in town, the cute bungalow-style shop serves up over a dozen pie varietals as well as other tasty treats.
Slices range in price for under $10. I can’t recommend the dutch apple pie enough! I could have eaten the whole $20 pie myself. And don’t pass up on a big scoop of ice cream to drop on top!
Mom’s Pies
With locations in the heart of Julian and Wynola (the small town just a couple miles away), you’re in for double the trouble. I definitely recommend the original apple and apple-boysenberry pies from Mom’s Pies. They also have a monthly special pie. Mom’s serves by the slice for under $10 or you get a whole pie.
There’s a battle in town between Mom’s and Julian Pie Co. as to who bakes the best pie, so I had to try out both for myself. Not sure I could make a decision myself. Both were D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!
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Julian Mining Co.
Where can you pick a pumpkin, pan for gold and go on a hayride all in one place? At Julian Mining Co.!
When they say “pumpkin patch”, they actually mean it. You can enter the farm for $1 and cut your own pumpkin right off of the vine during the month of October! (Disclaimer: you do have to pay for the pumpkin as well, which ranges in price.) Depending on which season you visit, the orchard offers other fruit and berry pickings.
You can also pan for real gold and gems. Prices start at $9 for adults and $7 for kids. This is currently only available on the weekends.
Due to COVID, they are limiting how many people are allowed on the property at once. If you visit on the weekend, you’ll have to buy 10 activity tickets for $10. These can be redeemed for hayrides, axe throwing, barnyard visits and other activities.
Antique Thrifting
While a lot of the shops in downtown have antique treasures, I recommend heading 4 miles NW of Julian to Wynola for some of the best thrifting. Housed in an old 1943 apple packing facility, Julian Station features a bunch of unique antique and artisan shops. But wait, there’s more! There are four different wine, beer, mead and hard cider tasting rooms for whatever refreshment you’re looking for. Also, you’ll find a Yoga and arts center, and weekly music performances on Sunday at 1pm, along with BBQing on the covered back patio.
Check out The Barn Vintage Market Place and Wynola Junction Antiques as well in Wynola to find more vintage collectibles, furniture and souvenirs.
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Hiking around Julian, CA
Julian is nestled between the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, so there are many hiking trails nearby to choose from.
Santa Ysabel East Preserve is a 3,800 acre park that’s a hot spot for hikers and bikers. There are over 18 miles of scenic trails that traverse through several geographical landscapes.
We headed over to William Heise County Park, which is just a couple of miles from downtown Julian. There are 11 miles of hiking trails and your chances of seeing a wild turkey or deer are pretty high! This is actually a full campground with RV and tent sites, as well as cabins for rent.
Julian Pioneer Museum
Interested in the gold rush history of Julian? Well then stop by the Julian Pioneer Museum, located inside an 1800s blacksmith spot. The museum showcases pioneer and Native American artifacts that give a glimpse into the town’s extensive history. Admission is free, but they’re not always open due to limited volunteer staffers so you might want to call ahead.
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Lake Cuyamaca
Lake Cuyamaca is the second oldest dam in all of California, dating back to 1888. It was initially used for plumbing water traveling to San Diego before being stocked with fish and turned into a fishery.
Today, you can fish, camp, hunt and boat at the lake. While visiting the lake is free for day use, there are fees and licenses needed for fishing and hunting. There are also several boat rental options to enjoy some time on the lake with the whole family.
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Other Things to do in Julian, CA not under $10
If you’re an animal lover like me, you’ll love these next two unique experiences!
California Wolf Center
With only 120 wild Mexican gray wolves left in the U.S., the California Wolf Center helps to rehabilitate and reintroduce then into the wild. For $30, you can go on a 1-hour tour of the facility and get up close and personal with these beautiful creatures.
Oasis Camel Dairy
Did you know there’s a camel farm just outside of Julian where you can meet and ride the animals? One weekend a month, Oasis Camel Dairy opens up to the public for their Open Farm Day. You can feed camels, donkeys, and sheep, watch a bird show, and ride the camels.
Camel rides are $15 for adults and $10 for kids. Feeding the animals is $12 for adults and $8 for kids. You can also book a private tour of up to 10 people for $150
Make sure to stop by their shop to pick up a unique bottle of milk, lotion or soap all made with real camel’s milk!
RECAP: Things to do in Julian, CA
- Stroll through Downtown Julian, CA
- Eat pie from Julian Pie Company or Mom’s Pies
- Go fruit picking and mining at Julian Mining Co.
- Antique Thrifting
- Hike through the surrounding mountains
- Julian Pioneer Museum
- See an endangered species at the California Wolf Center
- Ride a camel at Oasis Camel Dairy
- Soak in some rays at Lake Cuyamaca
- Grab a pastry and coffee at Regulars Wanted
- Eat lunch at Miner’s Diner
- Grab a beer at Julian Beer Co.
- Drink some cider at Calico Cidery
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This sounds like such a fun, little hip town! I mean…ciders, camel rides, and pies all in one place? Come on, this is a hipsters dream come trip (haha). I’ll have to check this out next time we go to San Diego.
I live in California and had no idea this place existed! It looks so charming…I can’t wait to plan a road trip!
I had honestly never even heard of Julian, but I have to come just for that pie! Looks amazing!!
I love California so much. I have to make it to the San Diego area. Julian looks like a neat place to visit!
You sold me at antique thrifting + wine!! That sounds like such a fun afternoon!
So many little gems! This place looks like a must visit.
I’ve always wanted to go to Julian! I can’t wait to use the is list when I finally make it there. Thank you for sharing!
I am actually from California and why have I never heard of Julian?! It’s soo cute! Thank you for sharing!
Wow! Such a great things to things to do on a budget! Saving it for my future trips to California