Karried Away: September 2024

Hi there, my dear friends at LSM! This past month in San Diego has been absolutely beautiful! The marine layer is gone and the sun has been shining. I am thrilled to see San Diegans out and about exploring their city in the summertime!

My mom and I went on a Southern California adventure the other day and I would love to tell you all about our little day trip! We took off early in the morning to beat the traffic on our way to Palm Springs. I know what you’re thinking… Palm Springs at this time of the year? However, it really was not too hot! Well, I mean if 105 degrees is “not too hot” for you. I spend much of my year in Texas for school, so I’m pretty accustomed to heat levels exceeding 100 degrees. Anyway, we drove through the desert, passing all the iconic windmills that mean you have entered Palm Desert.

In Palm Springs, we had such a special visit with my grandmother during which we laughed, shared stories of “the good old days,” and even discussed our latest Netflix obsessions.

In addition to trading Netflix recommendations and enjoying some broccoli and cheddar soup, we were also taking in the beautiful landscape. From gorgeous golf courses, to concert venues, such as Coachella, there was quite a bit to see! 

We had to get back on the road fairly quickly, however, because we had another stop on our road trip itinerary. The drive from the desert to our next stop was breathtaking. We enjoyed watching the transition as we drove from flat desert land with sagebrush to the mountainous terrain near Julian, California.

After an entertaining ride on the winding road leading to Julian, we began to enter into the little mining town that has now been preserved as a tourist destination. While Julian is the perfect mountain getaway for any San Diego local or tourist, it still feels like a town just for the locals of Julian. It still has the same classic flair that I’m sure it had in the late 1800s during the Gold Rush. 

My mom and I had the best time in Julian touring the town and trying the pie! Even though we had freshly-baked apple pie on our minds, we decided to explore the town first. The first shop we visited had such a fun and unique vibe! It was a soap shop called “The Olde Goat.” After speaking with the owner, I learned that her family has a goat farm in Ramona, CA, and the soap is all made from their goats’ milk. The different bars of soap had an array of scents that all smelled amazing. If you are planning to visit Julian sometime soon, make sure to stop by “The Olde Goat” for some soap and to play with baby goats! She also brings baby goats to her store during the fall so her customers can play with them and even partake in baby goat yoga! 

Farther down the street, we walked into a trading post shop named “The Warm Hearth” that took our breath away. It seems like a small outfit from the outside, but once you walk through the door, you feel like the store goes on and on forever! It was such an interesting place with so many trinkets to see. 

As if the locally-owned shops were not enough, Julian is also famous for its apple pie. Of course, we had to stop by Julian Pie Company for a fresh Dutch apple pie a-la-mode. Upon our first bite, our eyes widened. The combined flavor of the warm pie and the cool ice cream was simply too delicious! 

Dutch apple pie is definitely a must when you visit Julian, as is apple picking! Apple picking season begins on Labor Day weekend so make sure to stop by on the most popular weekend of the year in Julian. If you can’t be there for the grand opening, don’t sweat it! You can pick apples in Julian any time in September and October. There are seven local orchards to pick apples, and they are all great options. There will be plenty of apples for picking so bring the whole family for a memorable day in the orchards of Julian. My mom and I will cherish this day together forever, and I hope you all will create your own special memories in Julian, CA.