18 Things to Do in Julian This Weekend (2025)

Are you looking for things to do in Julian this weekend?

Well you just landed on the right blog post.

Julian is a town located in the Cuyamaca Mountains of San Diego California, USA. The area is known for its trees and apple orchards which you often attract visitors in the late summer and early fall. It is a dream destination for vacations with your family and friends.

If you do not want to wait for the tourist season, here are top 18 things for you to do in Julian this weekend.

 

18 Things to Do in Julian This Weekend

• Visit the Volcan mountain winery.
• Check out the Julian pioneer museum.
• Hiking at the William Heise county park.
• Wine tasting at Blue Door winery.
• Check out the Menghini winery.
• See wolves at the California Wolf center.
• Visit the Julian Pie Company.
• Check out the Volcan Mountain wilderness Preserve.
• Go shopping at The Warm Hearth of Julian.
• Site seeing at Desert View Park.
• Visit the Nickel Beer company.
• Have tea at Julian tea & cottage arts.
• Vacationing at Lake Cuyamaca.
• Visit Julian Cider Mill
• Visit Julian Mining Company.
• Dine at the Julian Beer Company.
• Dine at the Miner’s diner.
• Visit the Eagle mining company.

 

18 Things to Do in Julian This Weekend

1. Visit the Volcan mountain winery.

This is one of the best places to go to in Julian. It is a nice winery that was opened in 2015 and it is located at the base of the beautiful picturesque Volcan mountain.

It is open from Friday to Monday per week from 11 am to 5 pm. The winery makes rich wines that absolutely everyone that visits Julian should try out. It has a tasting room, vineyard and an orchard too. All of this is located just two miles outside the Julian town center.

Get to sip the glorious white and red wines of Julian here. Aside from this, you can also get a tour guide to take you through the property where you get to see the orchard and the vineyard as well. You should definitely try this out.

 

2. Check out the Julian pioneer museum.

This museum is located on Washington Street in Julian, California. It is a small charming museum that opens from Friday to Sunday every week.

The museum has a great display of artifacts showcasing the history of Julian including photographs, vintage clothing, household equipment and so much more.

The art is mainly focused on the Native Americans and their stories and it goes as far back as 1890. It is mainly run by volunteers but they do their job so beautifully.

It is small so you can go through it very fast but it is worth every second. So, if you are looking for what to do in Julian this weekend, visit their history filled museum that opens 10am on weekends.

 

3. Hiking at the William Heise county park.

This is a great park located on Heise Park Road in Julian. It is a beautiful serene park with hiking trails, cabins, bathrooms and hot showers, RV and tent camping. It is located in a forest of pine and oak trees along the laguna mountain range.

The park is open every day and it opens at 9:30 am so feel free to go there any day. As for camping, the hours are open which means 24 hours a day all week.

There are park rangers too that lead activities every weekend. There is a wide space for picnics as well so you can have one there too.

The park is beautiful in the winters as well because it gets snowfall every winter. I urge you to visit the park and experience all its beauty.

 

4. Wine tasting at Blue Door winery.

Blue Door Winery is an urban winery. It is located in the town of Julian where they converted stables into gorgeous rustic tasting rooms.

They did not change much of the architecture. They kept the high ceilings and the wooden floors. Get to taste some of California’s best wine.

The sangria and the Pinot noir are the absolute best. The hosts are amazing and welcoming so I insist that you try this place out.

The place is cozy and feels like a home away from home. It is pet friendly as well so you don’t have to worry about your dog or cat. Give the Blue door winery a chance and enjoy Julian to the fullest.

 

5. Check out the Menghini winery.

I know it seems like I am pushing you to drink and drink but it is classy wine so why not? Menghini winery is located at 1150 Julian Orchards Dr, Julian in California. It is a charming and rustic space with amazing wines.

The wines are inexpensive too which means you won’t spend as much and you will have spare money for other activities. The owners are sweet and friendly too.

It is warm and draws you in immediately so you do not feel like an outsider there. They have a great selection of wines so trust your taste buds with them and I assure you that you will not be disappointed.

It has been serving wine since 1982 and is the second oldest winery in San Diego so they do know their stuff.

 

6. See wolves at the California Wolf center.

The California Wolf center is a wolf reserve. It is a rural center for wild wolves and it is dedicated to their recovery.

It gives tours like the wolf moon tour and Father’s Day tours. The place has a gift shop as well. It is located on K Q Ranch Road and Tall Pine Road in Julian, California.

Here, you get to experience the beauty and gracefulness of packs of wolves in their raw natural habitat. It is a nonprofit place that mainly relies on volunteers to keep the place running.

So, you can book a guided tour with them and also donate to help conserve the wolves. Definitely something you should do in Julian this weekend.

 

7. Visit the Julian Pie Company.

This pie company is located at 21976 Highway 79, Santa Ysabel in California. I will let you in on a well-kept secret:

This place has the best pie in California. Everyone agrees with me, you can ask. Their apple pie is the best one offered there so if you are ever there, ask for it and be amazed by how great something that appears simple can be.

Aside from the pies, they offer donuts and nut bread products too. The place is clean and modern so you will get a fresh city vibe while there. Their products are affordable too with pies at about 20 dollars each.

 

8. Check out the Volcan Mountain wilderness Preserve.

Sitted on over 2900 acres of conifer forest is the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve. It is located on 1209 Farmer Rd, Julian.

The reserve has some of the best hiking trails in the area. On arrival, you are advised to head to Hubbell gate which serves as the main trail for hikers, bikers and equestrian.

You are advised to park your car on Farmer Road due to the limited parking space. The best hike trail is known as Five Oaks Trail and is open to hikers only.

This is to help you get the best experience throughout your hike. You can also go to the preserve for camping, weddings, corporate events, fitness and recreation.

For some of these activities, you have to make reservations with the preserve.

 

9. Go shopping at The Warm Hearth of Julian.

The Warm Hearth of Julian is one of the oldest shops in Julian. It was established in 1976 by Eric Stammets and is located on 2125 Main St., Julian California.

They have a variety of products which include food items, kitchen and drinkware, replicas, toys and games for the kids and decorative art work for your house.

It is often recommended to tourists for the abundant pieces of memorabilia that represents Julian’s rich history.

They are open from Monday to Sunday 10AM to 5PM. You can also access the store online here.

 

10. Site seeing at Desert View Park.

Despite being known as a park, it is just a parking area located on 423 Inspiration Point Road, south of Julian California.

It only makes it to the list because it offers a great view of the Anza Borrego desert. The area is accessible by car.

Most common activities are hiking and stargazing. You can also come with dogs as it is dog friendly. This is usually the last place people come to after traversing other sites in the area. However, it is preferred for camping and a relaxing night with the stars.

It is open all the time. However, you can check in with local travel companies to plan your trip better.

 

11. Visit the Nickel Beer Company.

The Nickel Beer Company is located on Hollow Glen Road half a mile east of downtown Julian. Founded in 2013, the company is led by individuals committed to brewing the beloved drink.

It is open from 1PM to 7PM on week days and 11AM to 7PM on weekends. The limitation is that you are supposed to be at least 21 years old as per state laws.

This is something you can enjoy with your friends. At the moment, there are 10+ taps of house brewed beer. You can get your drinks in 5 oz, 9 oz, 16 oz, 32 oz and 64 oz jugs to go.

You are also allowed to come with your dog since the company has a large outdoor dog friendly beer garden.

 

12. Have tea at Julian tea & cottage arts.

For tea enthusiasts, this is a great place to dive deeper into your passion. The teashop is located on 2124 Third Street, Julian California.

When you walk into the shop, you are greeted by marvelous designs that take you back to the early 1900s. The main beverage is tea.

However, they can also arrange a catering service for indoor and outdoor events. For this, you have to make reservations.

At the moment, they are open 5 days a week from 10AM to 4PM as Tuesdays and Wednesdays are for shopping and catering.

You can purchase items like tea related books, cookbooks, several types of packaged and loose teas.

 

13. Vacationing at Lake Cuyamaca.

Lake Cuyamaca is located along 15027 Highway 79, Julian, California. It is often referred to as the jewel of the San Diego Mountains by tourists and locals alike.

The lake is under the management of Lake Cuyamaca Recreation and Park District. This means that you have to make reservations if you are to spend more than a day.

There are a lot of activities for tourists which include camping, stargazing and fishing. You can also make reservation for day use, boating and cabins.

For the love birds, you can also make reservations for a wedding. The lake has an amazing scenery which can help you relax before travelling back for the hectic city environment.

 

14. Visit Julian Cider Mill

Julian Cider Mill is located on 2103 Min St. Julian, California. It was founded in 1975 by Willis Harold Slaughter and his son Fred Slaughter.

Its main aim was to sell goods and cider made from locally sourced apples. The Cider factory has persevered through time because of low prices, family values, excellent products and cleanliness. While visiting the mill, you can purchase locally produced items like Apple cider, Apple Butter, nuts, candy, preserves and honey. The honey is unique with varieties like Eucalyptus raw honey, wildflower raw honey and Buckwheat raw honey.

You do not need to book for visits as it is open from 9:30am to 5:00pm from Monday to Thursday and 9:30am to 5:30pm from Friday to Sunday.

 

15. Visit Julian Mining Company.

Julian Mining Company is located off 4444 State Highway 78 in Julian, California. This is a great space for you and our kids.

Here, you get to participate in all the gold mining activities from the old ages. These activities include gem sluicing, gold panning, lil’ mine train ride, dig pit and Tomahawk throwing.

You can also stay at the Cabin rentals that come with an AC unit, a wood burning stove, slate shower, kitchenette and access to a small vineyard with a mountain view.

Typically, the mining company is open on weekends; 10:00AM to 5:00PM on Saturdays and 12:00PM to 5:00PM on Sundays.

If you have a private event, you can book at any time with the management of the place. To top it all off, the place is dog friendly.

 

16. Dine at the Julian Beer Company.

This is located on Main Street in Julian, California. It is a micro-brewery and restaurant which specializes in handcrafted beers and casual dining.

Their menu includes pizza, BBQ, wings and so much more. The place can also be used as a venue and it is the largest venue on Main Street with a large indoor and outdoor seating area. They have many events from time to time including games and live music.

You should go here for the great food and the good beer. It is usually a busy place which I would say is a good sign. Their customer service is seamless though no matter how big the crowd is.

 

17. Dine at the Miner’s diner.

The Miner’s Diner is one of the longest standing buildings in Julian. It is located on 2134 Main St, Julian California.

The diner has a rich history dating back to 1886. Despite several name changes, it remains standing to date. Its current owners purchased the diner in 2014.

There have been several changes to the diner since then. However, it has already turned into a town favorite for residents and travelers alike.

It is mostly recognized for its heritage and perseverance around town. In addition, the Diner serves arguably the best food in the area.

It offers full waitress service, a gold miner’s inspired menu and a vintage diner experience to its customers. There are gluten free and vegetarian options for the vegetarians.

Due to the state’s health conduct, only service animals are allowed into the diner. Otherwise, it is a great place to stop for breakfast and lunch before heading out for other activities.

 

18. Visit the Eagle mining company.

The Eagle Mining Company was started in the 1870s. Located on 23320 C St, Julian, California, the company offers an insight into mining operations in the 1870s.

The place is family friendly and open from 10AM to 5PM, 7 days a week. As a policy, you do not need to make any reservations before visiting.

On arrival, you shall be accorded a 1 hour guided trip by a professional from the Mining Company.

During these guided tours, you shall come across a picnic area, gold panning facilities, restrooms, rock shop, museum, parking, bearing Quartz veins, 1000 feet of underground tunnels and 24 acres of prospect land.

You have to pay $15 for an adult, $1 for children younger than 4 and $8 for kids between 4 and 11 years old.

There are a couple of other places like Eagle and High Peak Mine, Cedar Creek Falls, Balboa Park and Julian Puzzling Adventure. The ones in the list shall give you the best experience.

You can also check in with your travel advisor for proper planning.