For those unfamiliar with our town, let me give you a feel for where we are and why we are here. Quite simply, Julian, California is just one of those special places in the world. It doesn't have glittering lights, or strip malls or fancy night clubs, but that's why we are here, and we think you will find the same sort of peace and tranquility. Country friendliness can take the place of lots of entertainment, like sitting with the locals at the Coffee House, or stopping to join a discussion in the middle of the street, or just saying howdy... things some have forgotten, others never knew existed, and that's another reason we are here. If you count everyone in the Julian Cuyamaca area, on a good day, you might come up with as many as 2,500 residents, but in the main part of Julian, you will probably count less than 1,000, many from families that were here in the 19th century, one more reason... We have seasons, real ones with snow in the winter and flowers in the spring, some heat in the summer with its dusty laziness, and of course, the golden and red fall colors that bring the greatest crowds. About the weather, we can be quite unpredictable, like much of southern California, but generally offer clear, mild, mountain temperatures. Maybe that's the compelling reason for many. "Historic" is such an over-used term these days, but in Southern California, there aren't many historic places left. Julian is a state designated Historic site and was the initiator of the southern California gold rush in 1858. Gold was produced here for a few years, with more than 100 mines in operation at the peak. One can still take a guided tour of two of the original hard-rock mines and even try your hand at a little panning. Eventually the ore gave out and the town went into a transition, finding agriculture and timber to be more steady... Over the years, apple orchards began to spring up around the old mines and the town became a fall retreat only a couple of hours (then) from downtown San Diego. Apple pies are still a great attraction for our visitors, but in the last few years, wineries are beginning to appear and country cultural festivals are happening throughout the year, not just in the fall, and Bed and Breakfast lodging is available all year. Julian has a good local Museum if you are interested in the history of the area, and the town, and it has a nice picnic area adjoining for "lunches under the pines". You can drop in to the Town Hall on the corner of Main and Washington for information on this week's activities, or pick from a large and varied list of lodging (a historic hotel, a dozen Bed and Breakfasts, and at least 60 private cabin lodgings), or find the local restaurants, cafes, and small snack spots that only the locals know, or just sit in the shade on the old iron benches on the front porch and watch the trees grow... For the outdoor persons, we have hundreds of miles of foot and bike trails in the several State, County, and Federal Parks within a few minutes drive.. The Anza Desert State Park is the largest park in California and second largest in the U.S., with more than 600,000 acres, 500 miles of off-road trails, and 150 miles of hiking trails that will take the visitor from the true Sonoran desert to the mile high alpine desert on Laguna Mountain. The Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, with another 25,000 acres, is recovering pretty well from the great fire of 2003 and has several large camp sites back in operation as well as most of the popular hiking trails. Visiting the park now will give a feel for what the big fire was like, and how our forests naturally repair themselves. Within a couple of miles of Julian Town are William Heise County Park with several short hiking trails and outdoor camping facilities, Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve with docent guided tours almost every weekend, and the newly opened Santa Ysabel Open Space Preserve (East) that links the San Dieguito River Park Trail with the Volcan Preserve. When all the links are closed, this trail system will connect the beach at Del Mar with the crest of the watershed at Mount Volcan. If the outdoors is not your treat or retreat, try the many small shops and galleries in our area. Main Street is a place to stroll and look, and to buy the perfect gift, or find a nice wool shirt at the Hardware and Mercantile. Several art galleries feature local artists and are well worth the search. We have a few antique dealers and some specialty shops for the serious searchers of such things. You can buy a first class wood stove, or that long sought used book, have "high tea", or taste and buy real home made jam, or a real candied apple. Days are never dull around Julian, let it become your little secret Bed and Breakfast or Cabin retreat from the unreality of the big city, from the tensions of too much, too many. Just learn in the few days you might be able to spare, that there is a place "where it is still still" ... and the place is Julian...