San Diego California Events. Area focus - Julian

City: Unincorporated area of San Diego County
Area Population: 3,557
Elevation: 2,972 feet above sea level
Distance from downtown SD: 86.4 miles northeast

William Heise County Park
4945 Heise Park Road
Julian, CA 92036 Map - Park Map - Campground

William Heise County Park is considered by many to be the most beautiful of all our county parks. The more than 900 acres within its boundaries have changed little in the last century. Forests of oak, pine, and cedar surround peaceful mountain meadows and provide an undisturbed setting for miles of scenic hiking and equestrian trails. Mule deer are frequently seen throughout the park; rarer residents include bobcats and mountain lions. Though its forest may seem timeless, each season brings dramatic changes: from winter snowfall to spring wildflowers, there is always something new to see at Heise.

Campers have their choice of RV, tent, group tent sites, or wilderness cabins. Each site contains a table, fire ring, tent pad, and parking space with water nearby. Hot showers are available. Day visitors can make use of the two shaded picnic areas. Hikers will enjoy the panoramic view from the Desert View trail, and the adventurous will want to walk or ride their horses along the Kelly Ditch Trail, which connects the park with Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Lake Cuyamaca.

The nearby town of Julian is at the center of a historic mining district -- the discovery of gold here in 1870 brought a tremendous influx of prospectors hoping to repeat the success of at least some of the '49ers. A small museum features exhibits that portray those pioneering times. Today Julian is a bustling tourist attraction, especially known for its Apple Days Festival in the fall.

Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve
Farmers Road and Julian Orchards Road
Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-4098) Map - Park Map

Oak woodlands, native grasslands, and fields of wildflowers are some of the settings you'll experience during your hiking, biking, and riding adventures within the boundaries of this 3800-acre preserve. More than 13.5 miles of multi-use trails wind through the various habitats in this scenic mountain preserve. Santa Ysabel Creek runs along the entire northern boundary of the preserve.

No fees are collected for day use at Santa Ysabel Preserve. Please note that no overnight camping is allowed. For your safety, please stay out of the creek and closed areas of the preserve. Stay on the trails; the natural resources of the preserve are fragile and depend on your trail etiquette for survival. Be sure to carry plenty of water, as Santa Ysabel can be hot and dry during the summer and there is no water available on the trails.

Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (daylight savings time) and 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (standard time).

Directions: Take Highway 78/79 into Julian, to Main Street. Going north, Main Street turns into Farmer Road. Take Farmer Road to Wynola Road and turn right, then a quick left back onto Farmer Road. Pass the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve sign on your right. Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve will be on the left side, approximately one mile from the Volcan sign. Parking is available in the staging area.

Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve
1209 Farmers Road and Wynola Road
Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-4098) Map

Hours: 8 a.m. - Sunset, (Summit is open April- Nov, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., weekends only), Take CA-78, turn left on Wynola Road. No pets, biking, or horses allowed.

Julian Park
2845 Washington Street
Julian, CA 92036
(619-838-7215) Map

Directions: CA-78/CA-79. Turn left onto Washington Street.

Jess Martin Park
2955 Highway 79
Julian, CA 92036 Map

Agua Caliente County Park
39555 County Route S-2
Agua Caliente, CA 92036 (within the Julian zip code)
(760-765-1188) Map - Park Map - Campground

It seems an unlikely spot, but in the desert 111 miles from San Diego is the county's Agua Caliente Regional Park. Best known for its geothermally heated springs, it attracts visitors eager to soak in the soothing mineral waters. But Agua Caliente offers far more than therapeutic pools. There are spectacular vistas that await campers and picnickers alike, and hikers will enjoy miles of trails that meander through the park's canyons and across its hillsides. During the height of its season, September through May, this is one of the county's most popular parks.

A Haven in the Desert
Water in the desert is an irresistible magnet to life. The Kumeyaay Indians were initially attracted to the springs at what we now call Agua Caliente ("hot water" in Spanish) centuries ago. Spanish explorer Juan de Anza was the first European to visit the area, in 1775. In more recent times, the springs at Agua Caliente were used by pioneers, soldiers, and prospectors.

The seismic activity that long ago shaped the Tierra Blanca Mountains (and created the fault that runs beneath the park) also enabled water to come to the surface and form the park's natural springs. A wide variety of wildlife is attracted to these springs, including ground squirrels, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. The relatively abundant water supply also supports lush plant life, such as mesquite, willows, Washingtonia palms, and acacias. Depending on the season's rainfall, wildflowers and succulents sometimes put on a colorful show in early spring.

Facilities
Two naturally fed pools provide different ways of enjoying the park's mineral water: a large outdoor pool is a natural 90 degrees, and an indoor therapeutic spa is heated to 102 degrees and outfitted with Jacuzzi jets. (Check pool hours here.) Many of the 140 campsites have full or partial hookups, and spring-fed warm showers are available. A caravan area can accommodate large groups. A small picnic area is perfect for day users.

Hiking trails, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, and a children's play area offer the visitor plenty to do in the 910-acre park, which is open from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Surrounding Agua Caliente is Anza Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in the country. It will provide additional adventures for visitors who come to explore San Diego's marvel-filled desert.

Agua Caliente Airport
Agua Caliente, CA 92036 Map (within the Julian zip code)

Agua Caliente Airstrip is north of Interstate 8, on County Highway S2, 95 miles east of San Diego.

The County Department of Parks and Recreation leases land from the State of California for use as a County park. In 1988 that lease was renewed for 20 years. Under terms of the agreement, County Airports uses 160 acres for aviation purposes but may not sublease or develop the property for more than what is needed for operation of the landing strip.

The facility serves residents of rural east San Diego County and visitors to Agua Caliente Hot Springs County Park. To the uninformed, Agua Caliente Airstrip looks like a blacktop field next to a two-lane desert highway in the middle of nowhere. To those with knowledge, it’s the gateway to a beautiful hideaway.

The airstrip is within an easy walk to the park which features geothermally-heated springs and pools, hiking trails and panoramic vistas. A small store adjacent to the park sells supplies and curios.

The park has picnic areas, 140 campsites and two naturally-fed pools for guests. Hikers can roam miles of trails which meander through canyons and hillsides and offer spectacular views of the Anza-Borrego Desert. A relatively abundant water supply
supports a wide range of desert flora including acacias, willows, palms and mesquite. And, depending on rainfall and season, there are many wildflowers and succulents.

The park is open from Labor Day to Memorial Day. For park reservations call (858) 565-3600. A single, paved runway, paved tie-down area and vehicular parking are the only facilities available at the airstrip.

San Diego County Website
Julian Chamber of Commerce
Julian Demographic Profile - Fact Sheet
Julian Demographic Profile - Map

Julian Weather - NOAA
Air Quality Forecast
Moon Phases & Astronomical Events
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Services
Julian

Library
1850 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-0370) Map - Website

Post Office
1785 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
(800-275-8777) Map

Sheriff
2907 Washington Street, Building C Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-4780) Map

Schools
Julian

Julian Elementary School (K-6)
1704 Cape Horn, Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-0661) Map - Website

Julian Junior High School (6-9)
1704 Cape Horn, Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-0661) Map - Website

Julian Charter School (K-12)
1704 Cape Horn, Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-3847) Map - Website

Julian Union High School (9-12)
1656 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-0606) Map - Website

Redding School (Alternative Education)
1517 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036
(760-765-0620) Map

Useful Links
Julian

California State Parks
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association
East County Magazine
Julian Union School District
San Diego County Branch Libraries
San Diego County Business Directory - Julian
San Diego County Parks and Recreation
San Diego County Parks and Recreation - Wilderness Cabins
Wikipedia - Julian, California

Julian is an unincorporated community in San Diego County, California, in the United States.

Julian is an official California Historical Landmark, No. 412. Also, the Julian town-site and surrounding area is defined by the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance Section 5749 as the Julian Historic District. This designation requires that development adhere to certain guidelines that are administered by the Architectural Review Board of the Julian Historic District, which is appointed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. (The "Design Guidelines Manual" is available in portable document format at San Diego County's office website)

Julian is located in a mixed pine-oak woodland. Precipitation averages 26 inches (66 cm) per year, notably higher than rainfall totals in coastal and desert areas of San Diego County, due to the orographic effect.

Soils in and around Julian are mostly dark brown, slightly to moderately acidic sandy loams which are well drained and of variable stoniness. Less stony areas, which underlie most of the townsite, are in the Holland series. The hills around town have rocky soils of the Crouch series. Somewhat poorly drained alluvial loam occurs along Coleman Creek.

Although Julian's picturesque setting attracts tourists, recreationalists and antique lovers, the town is most famous for its apple crop. The apple variety grown locally is considered less sweet than most traditional types, but pies and cider made from the fruit have garnered great popularity for nearly 100 years. The town is often very busy on holiday weekends and during the apple harvest season (approximately the month of October).

Local shops feature hand-tooled jewelry, Western artwork, souvenirs, and apple-related foods and candy. In homage to Julian's minor "gold rush," an inactive gold mine is open daily for tours, and recreational gold panning continues today in Banner Creek east of town. Three AAA approved places of lodging are available (including the historic Julian Hotel) several bed and breakfast type establishments, and many private cabins.

Winter days in Julian usually are sunny and cool; however, the area experiences several light snowfalls most years, allowing for snow play and surfing within the same county only an hour apart. In March 2006, a snowfall that that exceeded two feet surprised the residents and blocked private roads, unmaintained by the County, for more than a week.

A number of wineries located in and around Julian offer complimentary wine tasting. These wineries are: Orfila Vineyards, Witch Creek Winery, J. Jenkins Winery, Menghini Winery, and Shadow Mountain Vineyards. Many of these are located along SR 78/SR 79 to the northwest of the town center.

Access to Julian is limited to three major roads. The northern access is via State Route 76/State Route 79, which ultimately links to various other roads and highways serving northern San Diego and southwestern Riverside counties, including at least three different access routes to Interstate 15. The eastern access is State Route 78, which descends the eastern slope of the mountains to intersect with State Route 86 in Imperial County; this is the least commonly used of the three routes. The southern access is State Route 79 through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, which provides a link to Interstate 8.

History

The area was originally occupied by the Kumeyaay people.

After the American Civil War, Julian experienced a gold rush. This short-lived gold rush was sparked by the discovery of gold in 1869 by a former slave named A.E. "Fred" Coleman.

According to a bronze historical plaque appearing in the town, in the early days of Julian, the majority of San Diego County's African-American population resided in or near the town, including the founders of the Robinson Hotel as well as a noted resident, America Newton. Of the 55 blacks living in San Diego County during the 1880 census, 33 lived in the Julian area. Although this information appears on the plaque, it has been the subject of some controversy.

In recent decades Julian has become a quaint mountain resort. The town narrowly escaped destruction in the 2003 Cedar Fire that burned much of the surrounding area.


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