The Town of Pies – Julian

Last year I have been to the desert east to San Diego and on the way back we passed a little sleepy town called Julian. It was for me like a town of an American movie.

Julian and its district actually are a California Historical Landmark – though a protected sight. There are some guidelines to follow and especially architecture can’t be altered.

Other than in Europe the place was ‘first’ settled by white people around 1850. Just 20 years a former slave found gold in a creek nearby the settlement and a short, intense boom of gold rush started.

Around that time someone else had an idea to use the land and the people rushing to it. James Madison arrived with a wagon loaded with young apple trees. The climate and ground were perfect for this fruit tree and they grew well. Ever since the apple plays a huge role in the town image: it is famous for its apple pies.

Most of the African-American people in the San Diego area lived here. The founder of the still today existing Robinson Hotel is one of them. America Newton is a famous citizen as well. She started with laundry services and owned a 320.000 m²/80 acres homestead later.

Today it is a mountain resort with an income out of tourism and agriculture (apples).

We stopped here and had lunch with soup and sweet potato fries sitting outside in the late sunshine. It is a all but busy little town with nice little shops (I found a beautiful pair of earrings and much more). And of course more than one shop offering yummy looking apple pies. I was really tempted but could not as non was (at least) gluten-free. I loved to stroll in the main street, looking at the old wooden buildings and their yards.

Driving out of the town there were other nice places to look at and we stopped as (unfortunately closed) antique store. We listened to a performing country band in a restaurant and saw one of the most beautiful sunsets.


Julian, California/USA:

For further information:
Julian website


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