The town of Julian, California makes for the perfect day trip or weekend getaway from San Diego. You can plan a trip any time throughout the year. But, my favorite times of the year are the fall (for apple picking season) and in the winter (for the Christmas decor)! Keep reading for a full day trip to Julian from San Diego itinerary.
Tips for Visiting Julian, CA
Before we get to the itinerary, let’s start with some tips for your day trip to Julian.
- Visit during the week. Especially during the high seasons (fall and winter), it’s best to visit during the week as the weekend can get insane!
- Go early. Whether you’re going during the week (or especially if you’re going on the weekend) go early. We went on a weekend and arrived around 10 and it was hard to find parking or to walk around downtown.
- Start your day in downtown Julian. You can probably guess why – but starting the day in downtown is important for avoiding those crowds mentioned earlier.
Walk down Main Street
Start your morning on Main Street. This is the heart of Julian and is where you can pick up a slice of pie, pop into shops, and grab a souvenir. Make sure to also check out the side streets as there are some hidden gems. A few of my favorite shops include:
Pro Tip on the pie: If you’re in town early enough, you can have some pie off the Main Street. Arrive late? You may wait in line for an hour. If the line is long, skip it and we’ll get to a little hack later in the itinerary.
Blue Door Winery
- Location: 2608 B St, Julian, CA 92036
- Hours: 12 – 5PM daily
This little winery makes you feel like you’re stopping by your neighbors house for wine. Either hang out on their patio and have a drink or stand in the tasting room. Everyone raves about their sangria because let’s be honest it’s actually that great! Blue Door Winery is perfect for couples or friends looking to take a break from exploring the area.
After leaving downtown Julian, head down the road to the next set of activities in the area.
Oasis Camel Dairy
- Location: 26757 Highway 78, Ramona, California 92065, United States
- Hours: Hours change depending on the month and time of year. Prior to hopping in the car, visit the website or give them a call for more information.
- Entrance: $10 for camel feeding, $10-$15 for camel rides
Note: The Oasis Camel Dairy is actually on the way back to San Diego (past the places below). However, they are only open certain days and certain times. Ideally you would stop here last on your way home.
Head to the farm to feed and pet camels and sheep. You can also go on a camel ride1 While this attraction is a huge hit with kids, as an adult I found it still to be a fun and unique experience.
Dudley’s Bakery
- Location: 30218 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
- Hours: Fri – Sun 8AM – 5 PM, Mon & Thurs 8AM – 3PM
Dudley Bakery is an institution in the area! They are most well-known for their loaves of bread, but this also makes for a quick lunch stop if you’re looking to grab a sandwich. An added pro? They also have an adorable modern onsite shop for last minute gifts and souvenirs.
Lunch at Farmhouse 78
- Location: 30270 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
- Hours: Wed – Mon 7AM – 3PM, Closed Tuesday
This new restaurant in town is a must-try! Their menu features modern twists on classic dishes, and fresh ingredients. You really do feel like you’re in a chic farmhouse.
Julian Pie Company
- Locations: 2225 Main Street, Julian, CA 92036 & 21976 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel, CA 92070
- Hours: 9AM – 5PM daily
Finish your day with some pie! Remember what I said about skipping the pie on Main Street? The Julian Pie Company also has another location in Santa Ysabel. While you’ll likely still find a line, it’s a lot shorter than the one in Julian.
For more information on Julian visit their Tourism Site.
