Julian is located at the edge of San Diego County at the base of Cuyamaca mountain. It's geographic location means the days often feel crisp with the nights getting a cold winter air feel to them. As a result, it's a great place to go for some Christmas cheer if you're used to a Christmas season that doesn't involve San Diego's 70 to 80 degree December days. If you're lucky there might even be snow when you're in Julian, turning your holiday time into a true winter wonderland.

 

Julian Christmas Train

Leave the modern world behind onboard an old mining train. You'll chug along the tracks as the train takes you around Smith Ranch, where you'll also get to experience a gold mine. Smith Ranch is an interactive family oriented site that is set up to reflect the mining days of the 1870 gold rush. During your time on the train and at Smith Ranch you can expect Christmas surprises and get the chance to ring Christmas bells. The Julian Christmas Train begins operating the first Saturday after Thanksgiving and runs Monday through Saturday until the end of December. Reserving your ticket in advance is recommended as train rides often sell out, especially on the weekends. Tickets are $12 for ages three to 12 and $15 for everyone else (children age two and under are free). You pay upon arrival and only cash is accepted. 

Julian Living Christmas Tree and Country Christmas

On November 29, Julian gets all festive in anticipation of its annual tree lighting. Shop owners decorate their stores with holly and wreaths.

Main Street becomes a mecca of holiday decorations where you can walk down it to enjoy the Christmas ambiance while breathing in the smells of fresh apple pie and cider. And as dusk falls you can make your way to Julian's Living Christmas Tree, a massively tall pine tree located a couple blocks off Main Street where you can watch it become alit with hundreds of twinkling lights. The Christmas tree lighting takes place at dusk.

Also on November 29 for the Julian Country Christmas there will be a Christmas Craft Show at Town Hall between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The Living Nativity will also commence for the season (it will happen every Saturday until Christmas) from 6pm to 7:30pm at the corner of Main and B Street. 

For the next few weeks leading up to Christmas Julian stays in the festive spirit as carolers stroll the streets, holiday-themed trinkets adorn the shelves of shops and the Christmas tree lights up each night. 

Holiday Home Tour 

Get a glimpse into the setup of country homes in San Diego County while seeing the quaint homes all decked out for Christmas on the Holiday Home Tour. It runs on December 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and you will be transported around to the homes by members of the Julian's Women's Club who sponsors the event. The cost is $20. 

Pine Hills Lodge Breakfast with Santa 

Enjoy a Christmas Brunch at the charming Pine Hills Lodge on December 14. During the brunch you'll enjoy good country cuisine and the rustic ambiance of Pine Hills Lodge. Best of all -- and to the delight of children -- you'll be visited by Santa during the brunch. Reservations are required and the brunch is $15.95 for adults and youth over the age of 10, $10.95 for children 10 and under, and $5 for children who will be using a high chair. 

One last thing while enjoying the Christmas spirit in Julian -- don't forget to enjoy a piece of delicious Julian apple pie.