Julian's Apple Days Craze

The charming town's fall festival is in full-swing

We got to Julian in 90 minutes, after having to pull over three times because a group of 20-odd Lamborghinis out for a Saturday drive wanted to pass us on the winding rural highway. Our first thought as we got out of the car and stretched our legs was, “Wow. It’s cold.” The thermometer outside the Julian Pie Company read a cool 59 degrees. I had prepared for a brisk day, bringing along a sweater and one of those Euro-chic pashmina scarves. By the middle of the afternoon I had my exposed forearms and hands wrapped in the scarf like a sling.

San Diego lags behind the rest of the country when it comes to autumn. I’m very aware that the Midwest, the Northwest, the Northeast, and every place north of us has been enjoying the glorious fall colors for a few weeks already. There are a few red leaves peeking out between palm trees, but for the most part, San Diego seems rooted in summer. At least in Julian we got the fresh, chilled wind that makes hot apple cider taste so good.

Julian’s Apple Days celebrations were in full swing. We went to the Apple Days festival, where local craftsmen showed their wares and local school groups sold baked goods. Elsewhere in Julian, kids got pony rides, had their faces painted and picked apples in the U-Pick orchard.

Julian’s board sidewalks were crowded with people from other parts of San Diego to celebrate our meager fall with apple pie and pumpkins. Men and women in full Wild West regalia strode around, inviting visitors to the “melodrama,” to be held in the town hall later in the day.

Outside Mom’s Apple Pie store, there was a line of people a quarter-mile long. At Julian Pie Company, they ran out of apple pie. I had been craving the apple-boysenberry concoction with the crumb topping, so I was all right. But other customers, waiting in line for half an hour to grab a slice of Dutch apple pie, were out of luck.

Driving back, visions of minestrone and pumpkin bread danced through my head. Rain was falling on my windshield. I was already planning an autumnal feast. Imagine my disappointment when the next day dawned bright and sunny — and 80 degrees. I suppose I’ll have to wait a few more weeks. Or move to Oregon.

Apple Days activities continue through November 15. Activities include apple-pressing demonstrations, old-time melodrama performances, walking tours, pumpkin patches and more. julianappledays.com.

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