An apple a day ... brought to you by Julian, California

 The road to Julian is a scenic one. Approximately 2 1/2 hours southeast of Orange County, nestled in the beautiful Cuyamaca Mountains, this historical little town has made a big name for itself. Although it is part of San Diego county, Julian feels miles away from city life. It's apple picking events, Sept-Nov, have made it an annual escape for many families. What brings me here from time to time is the pure beauty of nature & a tranquility that is rare to find in southern California. Although it is a small town with a population of approx 1,500, there is plenty to do here during the day. I'll admit, the nightlife is a bit sleepy but if you make the most of your day, relaxing at night by the fire with a good glass of wine is all you'll need.

There are many quaint B&B's and lodges here. I love the ambiance at Orchard Hill Country Inn. This cozy Inn is up in the hills allowing for amazing views, especially from their dining room, which has exceptional food by the way.

Celebrating a special occasion? There is an abundance of romance to be had here. From little notes with poems, to chocolates & fresh baked cookies at your bedside, the staff here go the extra mile to make their guests feel special. As they say, the proof is in the pudding (in this case, maybe pie), their motto ~ "Where San Diego goes to say, I Love You."

Just 9 miles south of Julian, adventure awaits at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. From hiking trails & hidden waterfalls to fishing & relaxing on the lake, Cuyamaca offers day trips for every kind of traveler. Fair warning, you will not be alone floating on this lake, especially if you have food aboard. The geese around here are ultra friendly! We absolutely loved their antics and we all became fast friends.
A trip around this lake offers stunning views of nearby hills & countryside. Looking for a little quieter moment? Dock on the other side of the lake and take a hike on Fletcher Island. A fantastically fun environment with sandy shores & bridges, sure to entertain the child in all of us. Believe it or not, there are vineyards sprawled out nearby in Warner Springs and tasting rooms to prove it. After a morning in the great outdoors, pop in for a glass of vino by a fireplace to warm you up.

Another great memory is a ride in one of these carriages through the back roads of Julian. You can find them up on Main Street. We took the sunset ride and enjoyed every minute of it. Be sure to bundle up though, it gets mighty chilly in this neck of the woods!

You know you are not going to escape your lovely visit of Julian without one the baked beauties you smelled every morning while walking down Main Street. There are many choices of where you can buy your pie but you'll only find one kind ... you guessed it!

    *APPLE*

 I like Mom's because the atmosphere is just downright adorable. And what better logo to bring home to my boys?! Bet you don't leave with just one!!



One last thing, there are many boutique shops to visit during your stay here. My favorite? The Old Julian Book House. As an avid book junkie, there are rare finds here as well as many antique books. I left with six Shakespeare books from the 1800's. This little house is fascinating & a must see for any book lover.

Need a break from the city? Love apple anything?! The Historical Landmark town of Julian is the perfect getaway. Any town that boasts signs like this one gets my vote.