Fall Day Trip Guide to Julian, CA

For the locals in San Diego, fall means a trip to Julian, CA to enjoy a day of apple picking, apple pie, and crisp fall weather. Julian, CA is a small gold mining town founded in the late 1870s and is located in the Cuyamaca mountains. This quaint town is only 1hr 30 min from San Diego, making it a perfect weekend day trip!

Just a quick tip, many of the shops, restaurants, and orchards close at 5 p.m., so it's something to keep in mind when planning your trip!

Start your day strolling through shops and exploring the historic town of Julian.

The town is full of unique shops and restaurants.

Next, stop in at Julian Pie Company for a delish slice of pie.

The Smothers family has been making some of the best apple pie in San Diego County since the late 1980s. This is a popular stop for San Diego locals and visitors from all over Southern California. In addition to the pie, they also offer apple cider, apple cider donut holes, and apple muffins. My favorite is the Dutch apple crumb pie and the apple cider donut holes will leave you wanting more.

Next, head over to Volcan Mountain Winery for Apple Wine

Volcan Mountain Winery is located just 2 miles from the town center. The tasting room is open Friday- Monday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and offers three different types of apple wine. They have a 2020 Pomme D’Amour, which is their sparkling apple wine. The Dolcezza Dulce is a delicious and refreshing white wine and the Pommier is their dessert apple wine.

Lastly, end your day at Crosscut Farm and Orchard for their U-Pick Apples.

This cozy mom-and-pop orchard is a perfect place for apple picking without all the crowds. Frank and Sue have owned this orchard for 5 years and are very welcoming! The entrance fee is $5 per person and includes an apple cider pressing demonstration and an introduction to apple farming. The price for a ½ peck back is $20 dollars which is a little over 30 small apples. Reservations are required!

Happy Fall!