Cassandra's Julian Backcountry Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Julian is a quaint mountain town located in the San Diego mountains. There are shops and restaurants to keep you busy for a full day but be aware, this sleepy town closes up fairly early. Plan ahead especially for dinner! Also, apple picking is seasonal late August though October.
245 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Julian
Julian is a quaint mountain town located in the San Diego mountains. There are shops and restaurants to keep you busy for a full day but be aware, this sleepy town closes up fairly early. Plan ahead especially for dinner! Also, apple picking is seasonal late August though October.
Wynola is a quick drive from Julian and worth a day trip to shop and by far the best meal in the area is at Jeremy's on the Hill across from Hero's Restaurant which also has good food and often has live music.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wynola
Wynola is a quick drive from Julian and worth a day trip to shop and by far the best meal in the area is at Jeremy's on the Hill across from Hero's Restaurant which also has good food and often has live music.
Worth a stop on your way to Julian. Stock up groceries at Don's Market. Grab a meal at Farmhouse 78 or a treat at Julian Pie Company or Dudley's Bakery.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Santa Ysabel
Worth a stop on your way to Julian. Stock up groceries at Don's Market. Grab a meal at Farmhouse 78 or a treat at Julian Pie Company or Dudley's Bakery.
Descanso is a quick stop on 79 when coming from 8 fwy, or a 30 minute drive from Julian. There is a county restaurant and a few unique shops along with the newest addition "Junction Outback" which hosts event/music throughout the year. Check their schedule for upcoming events.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Descanso
Descanso is a quick stop on 79 when coming from 8 fwy, or a 30 minute drive from Julian. There is a county restaurant and a few unique shops along with the newest addition "Junction Outback" which hosts event/music throughout the year. Check their schedule for upcoming events.
Julian Pie
So many to choose from...my favorites are listed along with my TOP picks !
Classic Julian pie....two locations (Julian dowtown-always busy and Wynola.) The shop in town often has a line out the door...So if you want to taste Mom's pie without the wait, then choose Wynola which is a quicker stop.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mom's Pie House
2119 Main StClassic Julian pie....two locations (Julian dowtown-always busy and Wynola.) The shop in town often has a line out the door...So if you want to taste Mom's pie without the wait, then choose Wynola which is a quicker stop.
Julian Pie Company is one of the oldies and goodies with 2 close locations: Julian and Santa Ysabel....but you can also simply buy one in almost any local San Diego supermarket - so.....
82 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Julian Pie Company
21976 CA-79Julian Pie Company is one of the oldies and goodies with 2 close locations: Julian and Santa Ysabel....but you can also simply buy one in almost any local San Diego supermarket - so.....
This is my FAVORITE pie place within the actual town of Julian.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Apple Alley Bakery
2122 Main StThis is my FAVORITE pie place within the actual town of Julian.
Hands down THIS IS THE PLACE !!!! Top pies and WONDERFUL owners. Voted BEST PIE in California 2022. Best kept secret is the morning egg sandwiches, made with their home made biscuits, ONLY available on weekends until they last. Although this is technically located in Wynola, it is a quick drive from Julian....so it is a MUST!
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
California Mountain Bakery
4367 CA-78Hands down THIS IS THE PLACE !!!! Top pies and WONDERFUL owners. Voted BEST PIE in California 2022. Best kept secret is the morning egg sandwiches, made with their home made biscuits, ONLY available on weekends until they last. Although this is technically located in Wynola, it is a quick drive from Julian....so it is a MUST!
Wineries
Easy drive and close to dowtown Julian. Beautiful views.
34 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Menghini Winery
1150 Julian Orchards DrEasy drive and close to dowtown Julian. Beautiful views.
Volcan Mountain Winery
1255 Julian Orchards DrAnother local favorite also close to town
Blue Door Winery
2608 B StQuaint in-town stop.
Storum Ranch Cider & Wine
Hard Cider
Julian Hard Cider
4470 Julian RdGreat place to stop for a quick beverage in between Wynola and Julian
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Calico Ranch
4200 CA-78Great place to stop for a quick beverage in between Wynola and Julian
Apple Lane Orchard
4470 Julian RdStorum Ranch Cider & Wine
Beer
Julian Brewing Company
2307 Main StOnly place to get a meal after 8pm
Nickel Beer Company
1485 Hollow Glen RdGreat locals bar
The Cooler, Tap & Tasting Room
Restaurants
Jeremy's On the Hill
4354 CA-78Best restaurant in the area
Julian Grille
2224 Main StBest in-town place to eat
Julian Cafe & Bakery
2112 Main StGreat breakfast!
Great food and typically has seating without reservation.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Romano's Restaurant
2718 B StGreat food and typically has seating without reservation.
Authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices. Off main road so typically has seating available without reservations.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Quecho Elevated Mexican Eatery
2603 B StAuthentic Mexican food at reasonable prices. Off main road so typically has seating available without reservations.
My favorite for the BEST baked goods in Julian!!!
Owners are wonderful and usually on site.
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Regulars Wanted - Beanery Corporation
1921 Main StMy favorite for the BEST baked goods in Julian!!!
Owners are wonderful and usually on site.
Best home made vegetarian burger and sweet potato fries !!!!!
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Soups & Such Cafe
2000 Main StBest home made vegetarian burger and sweet potato fries !!!!!
Country eats with local shops to spend a half day while visiting the mountains.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Descanso Junction Catering
8306 CA-79Country eats with local shops to spend a half day while visiting the mountains.
The lake restaurant and store came under new ownership in 2022 and has a wonderful new menu
The Pub at Lake Cuyamaca
15027 California 79The lake restaurant and store came under new ownership in 2022 and has a wonderful new menu
Golden Apple Restaurant and Bakery
Amazing bakery items and tasty lunch items
Hiking
Ideally visit alltrails.com to check degree of difficulty for each hike and be prepared!
Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve
1209 Farmer RdBeautiful day hikes.
Santa Ysabel East Preserve
500 Farmer RdEasy hikes, ample parking
Closest to the Zen Den/ Skylark Manor. Easy hikes. Also has cabins and tent sites for camping.
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
William Heise County Park
4945 Heise Park RdClosest to the Zen Den/ Skylark Manor. Easy hikes. Also has cabins and tent sites for camping.
Stonewall Peak Trailhead
Stonewall Peak TrailGreat day hikes
Three Sisters Falls Trail, California, USA
Best visited after rains
Cuyamaca Peak Trailhead
12551 CA-79Santa Ysabel Nature Center
22135 CA-79