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Julian is a beautiful mountain town located in the Cuyamaca mountains. The town dates back to the 1870’s gold rush in the early days of California and has a rich history. As a result, Julian has shops housed in historic buildings, a historic hotel, and many restaurants. It’s also known for its famous apple pies that attract visitors worldwide.
Adventure
Julian is a perfect place for any van or RV nomad to explore and spend the day. The surrounding mountains offer a lot of excitement and adventure. The main activities of the area are exploring, shopping, eating apple pies, camping and hiking.
There are several good hiking trails in the area that range from easy to hard. Look at AllTrails.com to get a list of trails in the area. Several campgrounds are located within a short drive, including one of my favorites; William Hess County Park.
Anza-Borrego Desert
If you’re willing to drive a little further, you can stay in the Anza Borrego desert. The Anza Borrego State Park is located 30min from Julian and offers a desert landscape that anyone will love to explore with multiple boondocking sites and county campgrounds. The park provides amazing wildlife viewing and stargazing at night since minimal light pollution.
Visit: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Julian Pie Company
One of the highlights for any visitor to Julian is a visit to the Julian Pie Company. The Julian Pie Company has been in operations since 1986 and producing the best apple pies in the world. People from all around the world come to the Julian Pie Company to taste these amazing pies.
Camping
Several campgrounds are located around Julian that provide a good place to stay while exploring the surrounding area.
References and Other Adventures:
- Website: VisitJulian
- Website: Julian & Surrounding Area Hiking Trails

Top 11 Adventures on San Diego Route S2 (Pony Express)
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Agua Caliente County Park
Agua Caliente County Park is a great place for any van or RV nomad who wants to explore the desert and all it has to offer. The campground is located in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and is best known for its geothermally heated springs and rugged desert hiking.