I've heard some good things about Julian, an old mining town east of San Diego. I've been planning a trip to the San Diego area and would love to hear from anyone with comments on places to stay or things to see in the Julian area. Also, since I understand that this area has many orchards, would early spring (February/March) be a good time as far as weather and apple blossoms? Thanks much.

topping because I'm curious, too.

I've lived in San Diego for 25 years and was just in Julian this weekend so I guess I'll give it a shot. I wouldn't stay in Julian just because there's really not much to do, unless you'd want to go hiking around in Cuyamaca or the Cleveland National Forest nearby, in which case you'd need a car to get to the trails. The town is mostly tons of little craft shops, with a bunch of apple pie shops and mineral jewelry shops(agate, quartz, etc). It doesn't really have that many orchards that you can see, but there is an apple days festival sometime during the year. Cheack out www.julian.com for more info.

Sorry, it's www.julianca.com.

The apple festival is throughout the month of October. There was a huge wild fire up there a couple of months ago, east of Julian, and many, many acres of forest were burned, plus some homes. Since then,it seems that fewer people are driving up to Julian for the day. The town itself was not damaged at all. All the aple pies made in Julian (and that's thousands!) are made with apples grown there. During October, you can pick your own apples in some orchards.

There is an old mine, which you already know about, and a winery.

I can't recommend anywhere to stay, because I only go for the day, sorry. If you like hiking, there are many beautiful mountain hikes not far from the town. It's a really lovely part of San Diego County and totally different from San Diego's coastal areas.

If you go to the Apple Festival, find out when the fun begins. The first part of the festival is just when the apples are being picked.

Skip Mom's for pie. It is where the tourists buy it. You can get a fabulous mountain berry pie at the Julian Pie Company. They will sell them to you raw and frozen, so that you can take them home to bake them.
They are GREAT!!!

Tour the old silver mine, right in town.It is pretty interesting,especially when the turn out the lights.