California Winter Escapes

Fog and the Trees in Wrightwood, California

After four years of drought, California finally saw the rain and cooler temperatures that we’d all been needing. It felt like we actually had a winter. I know those of you who live places where it’s not warm and sunny 24/7 won’t sympathize, but I guarantee you, it gets a little old.

So, this was the first winter in years where I felt like I got a little taste of home. It rained so much that you only needed to drive an hour or so outside of the city to see snow, and that we did.

We escaped to both Wrightwood, California and to Julian, California. While I’d say that you could probably give Wrightwood a skip (we weren’t the only ones with this idea as it turned out and we got stuck in about 45 minutes of traffic just getting up the mountain). Julian, on the other hand, didn’t disappoint. The pie company obviously was worthy of a return visit as was the Julian Cottage Arts afternoon tea. We also decided to check out Julian’s hard cider company for a flight so we got the full apple experience. This odd little town remains one of my favorite hidden places.

#Julian #Wrightwood #California

Julian, California

Spring Blossoms in Julian

Sometimes you just need to escape for a day. I love Los Angeles and I’ve been here for nine year, but there are times where you just want to be elsewhere. Also, pie. Yes, pie. Sometimes you need pie. Good pie. Great pie. Amazing pie. And that, THAT is where Julian, California comes into play.

A friend from San Diego told me about Julian, a place where he’d go as a kid and see snow and eat pie. Snow? Pie? Sold! So after hearing about this mecca we jumped in the car and trekked three hours to the mountains above San Diego.

Julian is a tiny little town, known for its pies and for all things apple, especially cider of both the alcoholic and nonalcoholic varieties. To describe Julian as quaint barely does it justice. Both times I’ve been there, there has been a Llama on a leash walking up and down the main street. There is also an adorable spot (Julian Cottage Arts) that does afternoon tea in a little nook in their shop (which sells all things tea oriented). If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, this is Southern California’s answer to Stars Hollow. I can just see Taylor planning the daily reenactments of Gold Rush antics or organizing the yearly living nativity.

So, go to Julian and explore and DO NOT forget to get pie from The Julian Pie Company. My absolute favorites are the Dutch Apple and the Strawberry/Rhubarb. Everyone I have shared this pie with is a convert. The place is magic.

Here are some favorite shots:

*if you like beer, they also have an excellent brewery on the outskirts of town (Nickel Brewery)

#Julian #California #Adventure