Walk Julian’s Main Street with an app in hand, listening to gold-rush tales, orchard lore, and local characters while stopping for pie. This 60–120 minute self-guided audio tour blends compact history, town viewpoints, and practical tips for making the most of the mountain air.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Morning light slices across Julian’s Main Street and the smell of baking apples moves ahead of you like a guide. This self-guided audio tour starts at the Bailey House and threads through the town’s compact grid — low brick storefronts, weathered wooden facades and a cemetery hill that gives a floor-to-ceiling view of the valley below.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
60–120 minutes
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; expect short hills and standing during audio stops
Wildlife
History
Julian transformed from a 19th-century gold camp into an agricultural town when apple orchards proved more sustainable than placer mining.
Conservation
Stick to sidewalks and marked trails, pack out trash, and support local businesses to help maintain the town’s historic buildings and surrounding oak woodlands.
Reserve your spot on the Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download the app in advance
Cell service can be spotty in Julian; download the Drives & Detours tour and media before you arrive using Wi‑Fi.
Bring a reusable water bottle
The route is short but at 4,200+ feet you’ll notice drier air — hydrate before and during the tour.
Wear supportive shoes
Streets are mostly paved but include short steep sections and uneven sidewalks near historic buildings.
Time your bakery stops
Popular pie shops get lines midday — arrive early or late afternoon to avoid waits and to match the tour pace.
Smartphone with Drives & Detours app
Required to play the audio tour and access maps and access code.
Comfortable walking shoes
Provides support on paved streets and short steeper sections around the cemetery hill.
Reusable water bottle
Helps you stay hydrated in the drier, higher-elevation air.
summer
Light jacket or layers
Mountain temperatures can change quickly; layers keep you comfortable between sun and shade.
fall