Desperate for a break, my friends and I found ourselves scouring the internet one night for someplace to have the perfect winter weekend trip. San Francisco? Too far. Big Bear? Too cold. That’s how we came across Julian — a quaint town nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains, only an hour drive east from San Diego. 

Famous for its delicious apple pies and storied history as a gold mining town, Julian instantly enchanted me and my four friends. Join our journey to get some tips on the best places to visit.

Planning and packing: Cabin games galore!

Before your trip, pick your lodging and timeframe. We ended up booking two nights at the Big Pine Cabins in the Whispering Pines neighborhood, just a five-minute drive from Julian’s iconic main street. My friends and I found a cabin for $500 total for the two nights, $100 per person. From there, food, gas, and lodgings totaled up to about $150. 

If you are looking for a lower budget option, Julian is famous for a great day trip. However, we wanted to take our time in the town and decided to explore the area over a couple days. Stick around until the end to see which spots made my highlight list!

Once you’ve picked your cabin getaway, get started on your packing list! In addition to your toothbrush, be sure to pack games like Exploding Kittens, Uno, and playing cards to connect without technology. If you plan on cooking your own tasty meals that require more sophisticated cooking utensils, be sure to bring those as well — for example, we brought a portable stovetop for our hotpot night. 

Day 1: Settle in, shop, and plot

My friends and I left San Diego at 11 a.m. sharp to make our check-in at 3 p.m. and leave time for grocery shopping. Our cabin included an outside grill, so we were inspired to make burgers with a side of fries the first night. Cooking at your lodging is a great way to keep this trip under budget!

Now that you are settled, use the rest of the first day to get acquainted with the town. Explore old shops, take cute pictures by the storefronts, and get excited for the most relaxing weekend ever!

All that is left to do is chill out with some drinks and play games before resting up for tomorrow.

Day 2: Take the scenic route

There’s no better way to start a weekend with friends than with a big breakfast at home; we went for hashbrowns, eggs, and bacon. After fueling up, we recommend scheduling your big day around one fun, preplanned activity that can be interspersed with spontaneous adventures around town.

If you’re into history and immersive experiences, Julian is the place for you! We were out the door by 10:30 a.m. for our first stop at Eagle Mining Co, where, for $20 each, a guide led us on an hour-long tour through underground gold mines and taught us about the working conditions miners endured in the 1800s. 

Julian is well-known for its town center of cutesy shops. We walked 10 minutes to get there and spent the rest of the day exploring the area. My favorite store was Julian Tea and Cottage Arts. Resembling a 19th-century English home, this shop is perfect for lovers of tea and anything with beautifully adorned knick-knacks. I walked away with a cat coaster and an apple-themed oven mitt, a display of self-control I didn’t think myself capable of.

For lunch, my friends and I were excited to try Julian Beer Co. Known for its fast eats, Julian Beer Co. serves up a smoky brisket and delicious pizza. The 16-inch pizza was my favorite; for $25, it came with 10 slices and filled all of us right up. For a quick energy boost, pop in next door to Bailey House Coffee Parlor. If you like subtle flavors and creamy espresso, I suggest ordering the Almond Roca. 

Stomachs full, we continued down the main road to The Warm Hearth. From the outside, it looked like a simple souvenir shop, but walking in revealed a basement containing every Julian-themed trinket imaginable. We also loved the vintage clothing store, Mountain Chic(k), and The Olde Goat, a soap store that drew us in with its fragrant scents of hand creams and lotions.

Before driving back to our cabin, we stopped by Miner’s Diner for its perfectly blended milkshakes and downstairs candy mine with vintage candies like Watchamacallit’s and candy cigarettes available for purchase. 

Day 3: Until next time, Julian

Don’t discount your last day! Though check-out might be early, there’s still more to visit. After saying our goodbyes to our little cabin, we stopped by Mom’s Pie House. You can’t go wrong with a classic apple pie! My friends and I demolished half of our apple crumb pie in a day. For the more adventurous people, fear not, as Mom’s has the best fruity pies in general, with amazing flaky and crumbly crusts in flavors like bumbleberry and more! 

Julian’s small town vibe seems to slow down time, making it the perfect weekend getaway, no matter how long you go for. If you decide to take a day trip, be sure to hit our favorite stops: Julian Tea and Cottage Arts, The Warm Hearth, and Mom’s Pie House. What are you waiting for? Book the cabin and hop in the car; embrace the moment and have a great time!