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Julian Dressed in Red, White and Blue

This 4th of July we celebrated early.

My husband and I were off Friday and Saturday.  Sunday and Monday are working days for my husband (technically, he is not off during holidays). Given the circumstances, we had two days to do get out of the city.

We ended up driving around the windy roads of northern San Diego County.  Friday, around 3:00 p.m., we entered the historic center of the tiny, mining town of Julian.

To our surprise, the town was dressed in red, white and blue.  The colors of the national flag were sprinkled everywhere.

Turns out the town has a parade and BBQ every 4th of July. All businesses on Main Street were ready for the action. That was perfect for us since we were able to breathe the Independence Day atmosphere three days before the actual event.

You may not be aware but Julian is famous for the one thing that it is said to be the most American of all: apple pie.

And, let me tell you something, the pies sold in the town’s bakeries are smashing! Pie is not even my favorite dessert and right now, my mouth is watering because I am thinking about all the delicious slices I consumed during my visit.  As soon as you get out of the car, the cinnamon and sugar scent hits you.  You stop to inhale the aroma and proceed to make the line to get your slice (better if it is served with cinnamon ice cream).

It is not only the pie.  There are so many elements that make you feel like in a movie dedicated to all things Americana.

Apple Cider

Motorcycles

Soda Fountain

Milkshakes

Burgers

BBQ

Baked Apples

Pancakes

Stars

Stripes

Giant Flags

I leave you with several photos I took during my visit.  Hope they give you a sense of how Independence Day is celebrated in the United States.

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Julian, San Diego, California

Happy 4th of July to all my friends in the United States (and to expatriates too)!

What reminds you of the United States?

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Lake Murray is a 171 acre reservoir with a 3.2 mile shoreline; it can be found on the border of San Diego, La Mesa, and Santee. To rent the pedal boat, you have to go into the concession stand by the parking lot. It costs about $15 to rent per hour, with an additional $15 for a deposit. The boat fits about 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. This low-cost activity is a great way to get out and have fun. It allowed my family to stick to our very frugal budget. If you would prefer, there are also kayaks, canoes, row boats, and motor boats. However, the pedal boat is my favorite because it also has a canopy to block the sun! Whale Watch in Newport Beach By Rebecca from KwaFare One of the most thrilling outdoor experiences you can have in California is to get up close and personal with some of the largest animals on earth. Whale watching in Southern California can put you right in the migratory path of humpback, minke, fin and gray whales. Even orcas are spotted from time to time, as well as sperm whales and blue whales, the largest animal to have ever lived. An excellent spot for whale watching is Newport Beach, which is only about an hour from LAX airport or downtown Los Angeles. Newport Beach is a cozy community where you’ll find Balboa Pier and Island and some great beaches. My go to whale watching company here is Davey’s Locker. And for good reason. First, they regularly have sales for their whale watching tours on Groupon. So, for about the price of a movie ticket you can take a front row seat to these magnificent creatures for over a couple of hours. But what I really enjoy is hearing the excitement of the crew every time we get to see a whale out at sea. This testifies to just how electrifying it is to witness these deep sea giants in their natural habitat. Despite how many times they get to see them, every time it’s a thrill. And the thrill is definitely contagious. You just never know what you are going to see when you get out on the boat. However, if you want to up your chances of sighting whales go out during their migration times. In general, winter and spring are great times to see gray whales, humpback and minke whales. And summer and fall are ideal for blue whales, finbacks, orcas and sperm whales. So whether you find yourself in the middle of a pod of hundreds of dolphins or next to an enormous blue whale, this is one of those things to do in California that is not to be missed! Visit the Center of the World By Theresa from The Local Tourist Just inside the border in the southeast corner of the state, you can put your toes on the officially designated Center of the World. Felicity, California, is home to the Museum of History in Granite and the Center of the World and is a destination worth a visit that's a whole lot less kitschy than it sounds. In 1985, Jacques-André wrote a children’s book titled “Coe: The Good Dragon at the Center of the World.” Somehow, this Frenchman and Father of American Parachuting convinced the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and Institut Géographique National, the French Mapping Agency, that property he owned in Imperial County should be declared the Center of the World. You can visit this town, population two, and not only make a wish inside a pyramid but also browse granite tablets etched with history. They're designed to last 4,000 years and the goal is that they'll preserve the entirety of humanity for millennia to come. It's a quirky destination with a noble promise, and should definitely be on any southern California itinerary. ATV in the Imperial Sand Dunes By Kay from The Awkard Traveler It isn't general knowledge, but California has sand dunes. Some of the best California sand dunes are found in Southern California. Specifically, the Imperial Sand Dunes State Park right near the border of Mexico. Winter is arguable a better season to visit, especially when summer temperatures can easily reach over 110F. But that also means winter is the most busy time to visit. So, pick your poison. From San Diego, the drive is about 2.5hours, 2 hours from Palm Springs, and 3 hours from Los Angeles, making the Imperial Sand Dunes an easy day trip if you do not want to stay nearby. However, there are camping and RV options at the state park! To enter the park, permits are required from October 1 through April 15 each year. Permits are $35 per week in advance and $50 per week if purchased onsite. Season permits are $150. America the Beautiful National Park pass also counts for this park. Once you are all settled into the park, you're ready to ride! But before you get into your off-highway vehicle (whether it is ATV or a bike, or other), make sure to remember the basics. Wear a protective helmet, pay attention to "closed to vehicle signs," and tall visible red flags are REQUIRED on your vehicle for visibility and safety! There you have it! Tons and tons of ideas on things to do in California. Hope you find this article useful when planning your next getaway! More of California Los Angeles Ultimate Bucket List Weekend Getaways from Los Angeles Ultimate San Diego Bucket List 150+ Places to Go in Orange County Places to Visit in Santa Barbara What are your favorite things to do in California? Let me know in the comments section below. Pin “Things to Do in California” for later!, Pigeon Point LighthouseThings to Do in California: Golden State Best Fall Leave, How to spend fall in San DiegoHow to Spend Fall in San Diego: Things to do and Eat

Comments

  2. Lisa @ LTTL says

    What a fun town to visit. You got a little Americana to celebrate the 4th early, that’s a fun treat. I think I need to add this town to my California see list. Hope you have a Happy 4th!

    Lisa @ Life Thru the Lens

    Reply

  3. Jeanna says

    I’d LOVE to go there, The Candied Apple Pastry Company, yip. Nice find and a fun and fitting way to celebrate the holiday. I like how you made a list of things tasty about Julian and the US. Wonderful post and wonderful little town.

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  4. Photo cache says

    Oh goodie, I will have to take my husband here. I am not into pies (am a cake gal) but he’s on a quest to find the best tasting apple pie. This is prolly where he will find it.

    Happy 4th!

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    • Ruth says

      I am not into pies either but the ones made in this town are so good that you will feel like a pie aficionado. Your husband will love those pies for sure.

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  6. Jo @ Jo Jacks Travel says

    I used to live in SD and would drive up into Julian whenever I got an urge for apple pie. I would eat a fat slice there and take a pie home to finish for breakfast! Its a beautiful drive. What a great day you chose to visit – getting to experience some real Americana.

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    • Ruth says

      Oh Jo! So great somebody get the feeling of going to Julian and enjoying a big slice of pie. I wasn’t expecting all the red, blue and white colors but I enjoyed them.

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  7. Corey with fifi + hop says

    It indeed looks and sounds very Americana! I’ve never heard of it. But I love apple pie so am going to have to check it out next time I’m in Cali! #mondayescapes

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    • Ruth says

      It would have been nice to be in town for the actual parade. That would be cool. After the parade, people go to a BBQ and then go back to the coast for the fireworks.

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  13. Anna says

    I’ve never heard of this town, even though I’m from SoCal. It looks too cute, and omg just the mention of american apple pie has me drooling. Apple pie is seriously one of my favorite desserts ever, and I miss it so so much when traveling/living out of the country!! I’m drooling at even the thought of cinnamon, sugar, and baked pastry aroma in the air!

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      Every time I mention the town, there are some Southern Californians that have never heard of the town. But, if you love pie, this is the place for you. There are other culinary pleasures too.

      Reply

  14. Cathy (MummyTravels) says

    What a fantastic taste of America – literally and figuratively! I know we’ve just got back from California but I already fancy a trip to San Diego and around the city so this is right on my list. How fun to see it dressed up for Independence Day too – happy 4th of July! And thanks for linking up with #citytripping

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      I read you enjoyed Southern California a lot. Therefore, you have to make plans to return and visit Los Angeles and San Diego. I bet you would love those places too.

      Reply

  15. Jill says

    Lovely photos! I had heard of Julian as a destination for apples and pie but didn’t know they did July 4th so big! Glad you had such a fun holiday weekend!

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      I didn’t know either! My findings were a coincidence. I went to enjoy the pie and end up extra happy because of everything that was happening.

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  16. Kathy says

    What a gorgeous little place. The Americans are so patriotic when it comes to celebrating their heritage. The red, white and blue decorations are so colourful. Apple pie just so happens to be my favourite dessert!

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  17. budget jan says

    My husband really likes apple pies and so do I. I’ve found there are so many different ways they can be prepared. I’ve never thought about where they first came from. It looks like a cute town.

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    • Ruth says

      The interesting thing is that there are different versions of apple pie in this town. They have the original,dutch apple pie, apple and berries and other varieties. This time I tried apple and peach. Is is nice to see what they have in season.

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  18. Trekking with Becky says

    I spent two 4th of Julys in the States – one in NYC in 2009 and one in Florida 2001. Neither of them were anything like your photos, but they were special and fun, nonetheless.

    Reply

  20. Indrani says

    Loved reading about your celebrations. The description is good and the pics tempt me to have one of them now.Never knew the origin.

    Reply

  21. Michelle | michwanderlust says

    Wow, this town looks a great place to visit – especially in early July! Love towns which have a bit of character, and this one has it in buckets. The apple pie sounds delicious – I’ve never tried American apple pie before, although I’ve tried apple pie in Japan. Not sure if it would be the same thing! If you visit Nagano, do check out the apple pie – apples are the regional specialty so you’ll see a lot of apple-themed stuff. If I ever visit Julian I’ll let you know how compare 😉

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      Thanks for the tip. I need to find more info about Nagano and its apples. Apple deserts are not a thing of the Caribbean and I am not necessarily crazy about them. But the pies in Julian are something else. Just the smell makes you crave a slice.

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  22. Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders says

    We literally just got back from visiting our friends in San Diego, and they were telling us about Julian! My husband’s favorite dessert is apple pie, so they promised that they’d take us there next time we visit! It sounds like you stumbled upon Julian at the perfect time for a great Fourth of July parade and BBQ!

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      I was surprised by the clouds that day. They were fantastic. I have tons of photos of them. I will share them at another time.

      Reply

  24. Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe says

    Ruth, this July 4th we celebrated my Mother and her twins’ 80th birthdays. As a little girl Mum always said one year she would celebrate her birthday in America for the biggest birthday ever. Unfortunately, with the long flights from Perth added with Mum has never owned a passport, I doubt at 80 that will happen. But when I finally get to US I would love it to be July 4th so I can celebrate on her behalf. Thanks for linking with #TheWeeklyPostcard

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      Oh Lyn! What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it with. Many blessing for your mom, here sister and your entire family. If one day you find yourself in Los Angeles, please feel free to give me a ring.

      Reply

  28. Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) says

    Love your photos, Ruth! I have never tried apple pie in America. It would be interesting to compare it to the apple pie we eat in the UK. I’ll have to find a recipe and try it out – we always have a ridiculous amount of apples on our trees in the garden in the Autumn.

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      I would like to compare the different versions too. You have to tell me about a place where they make great pie in the UK.

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  29. Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats says

    I haven’t been to Julian but sounds like a great little town, much like the one I grew up in. Things that remind me of America….there are so many but a few…food (hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit pie, French fries, cheesesteaks, Key Lime pie, etc.), sports (baseball/football/basketball), displays of patriotism (being in the UK now, it is noticeable the absence of flags etc.), covered bridges and red Mail Pouch barns, films (so many films watched everywhere are American), and clothing (baseball hats, blue jeans, tee shirts). ~ Jessica

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  30. Anda says

    I heard of Julian but have never been there. It looks quite nice, I’d love to visit it. 4th of July is a very special day for our nation and I love it when the communities decorate themselves so festively.

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      Anda, you should pay a visit around fall when the apples are in season. They have apple pie (and other products) available all the year but apple picking season is particularly fun.

      Reply

  31. Elizabeth (wander Mum) says

    Wow! Amazing pictures and some true patriotism. You’ve certainly delivered a slice of American culture to my table ; ) I’d love to visit Julian and try the famous American Pie! Happy Independence Day and thanks for linking to #citytripping

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      I have to write more about apple pie. I have written about the pies sold in the town before but another post will be nice. I visited some new bakeries.

      Reply

  32. Vlad says

    I love apple pie, I’d love to try it whenever I’ll visit the US. By the way, as I was reading the post, I saw you mentioned burgers and I was already craving one. Glad there weren’t photos of burgers to feed my craving, haha

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      You have given me a great idea for a post. Burgers chains seems to be a war in here. They are always discussions on which one is best.

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  33. Nancie says

    Hi Ruth. This little looks like it takes the 4th of July and its pies very seriously! What fun that you and your husband got to enjoy the festivities. Thanks for co-hosting this week. #TPThursday

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      There are families that have been baking pies for more than 70 years. They know what they are doing since their products are extremely good (and delicious).

      Reply

  34. Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net) says

    I had no idea! And now I’m dying to go. What a fun little town! I love stumbling across unexpected finds and hidden gems like Julian. Thanks for putting it on our radar – one more reason to get back to San Diego!

    – Rob.

    Reply

    • Ruth says

      Northern and rural San Diego and so overlook. However, they are full of treasures. I visited its beach towns this weekend and had a blast.

      Reply

  35. Mary{The World Is A Book} says

    Love all the festive decor! We usually go to Julian during the Fall for apple picking but never thought to go there for 4th of July. It’s such a charming town and those delicious apple pies are always worth a drive.

    Reply

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