California - Julian - Is it worth the drive?

My wife and I will be staying in the Carlsbad area and are looking for "new" things to do. We've read about Julian and it seems as if the drive (about 90 minutes or so) would be worth the trip, given the combination of scenery enroute, history, and actually a couple of quite good restaurants.

Are we right? Do you have any favorite things to do either in the area or enroute from Carlsbad and Escondido?

I'd say it's worth the drive if you've never been before. Weekend traffic and parking can be a bit heavy because it is a popular destination for those trying to get out of San Diego proper for a day. Don's Market is a really cool neighborhood grocery store on the way up there that has some really good meats, bread, and it's right next door to Dudley's Bakery which has some great treats for the drive.

I'd tend to disagree, but then I am a cynical type. I'd put Julian in a similar category to Solvang -- nothing special.

Anza-Borrego state park, which is farther away, is worth a day trip, but not in summer -- too hot.

Well, we actually like Solvang - in the middle of the Santa Ynez wine country with lots of good restaurants, close to Lake Cachuma and Santa Barbara, decent (if not spectacular) scenery, and a very nice casino.

I do agree about Anza-Borrego - been there in April and it can be spectacular. But this will be July.

Well, we actually like Solvang - in the middle of the Santa Ynez wine country with lots of good restaurants, close to Lake Cachuma and Santa Barbara, decent (if not spectacular) scenery, and a very nice casino.

I do agree about Anza-Borrego - been there in April and it can be spectacular. But this will be July.

I agree, I very much like the area and attractions around Solvang, but not Solvang itself. To me, Julian is boring, unless you really like pies, and you can get the pies in many supermarkets in San Diego.

What have you "done" that you want something "new?"

Have you had lunch at Cafe Champagne at the Thorton Winery? Or gone wine tasting in Temecula (hot in the summer!)
http://www.thorntonwine.com/cafe.html
They have a great summer concert series as well. George Benson is coming in August.

If you haven't been here: https://keyscreeklavenderfarm.com/
Definitely something to add to your list.

Best whale watching boat in San Diego:
http://www.nextlevelsailing.com/

Best bang for the buck sailing adventure aboard the Tall Ship Californian:
http://www.sdmaritime.org/shop/events.html

Have you been to the Cabrillo Monument?
http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm

Julian in the summer is nothing special- but it is a diversion and a pretty drive- though the Fall is much prettier.

I would rather drive 2 hours (or less from Carlsbad) to Idyllwild. Very pretty drive through the Garner Valley (especially early in the morning) and easy from Carlsbad. - you could visit the campus of Idyllwild Arts (and maybe hear a concert or see a dance performance) - walk the cute town, have a good meal, and easily drive home the same day. They also have a summer Jazz series called, Jazz in the Pines. I LOVE Idyllwild and go up every year. (It is a mile above sea level in the pines of the Cleveland National Forest.) http://www.idyllwild.com/

I agree with those who say that Julian is nothing special. As for the bread---Bread & Cie in Hillcrest is better than Dudley's. Pie? Elizabethan Desserts in Encinitas (near Carlsbad) is better than Julian. IMHO, anyway. Have you been to the Lux Art Institute in Encinitas? Well worth a visit, I think. What about Torrey Pines State Reserve?

I agree with those who say that Julian is nothing special. As for the bread---Bread & Cie in Hillcrest is better than Dudley's. Pie? Elizabethan Desserts in Encinitas (near Carlsbad) is better than Julian. IMHO, anyway. Have you been to the Lux Art Institute in Encinitas? Well worth a visit, I think. What about Torrey Pines State Reserve?

All spot on....especially Torrey Pines State Reserve. And as long as you are getting all cultural (Lux) there is also the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad that also has some great concerts.

More thoughts- the Glider port at Torry Pines and the Salk Institute

Thanks for the advice and all the good suggestions. I've been to Salk and Torrey Pines quite a few times, as I have a number of colleagues who work at Salk. Sounds like Julian probably may not be worth the drive. I remember going through there one time (without stopping) on a spring trip to Anza Borrega. We are going to Harrah's Rincon for a concert and perhaps will tack on Julian as part of that day.

Thanks for the advice and all the good suggestions. I've been to Salk and Torrey Pines quite a few times, as I have a number of colleagues who work at Salk. Sounds like Julian probably may not be worth the drive. I remember going through there one time (without stopping) on a spring trip to Anza Borrega. We are going to Harrah's Rincon for a concert and perhaps will tack on Julian as part of that day.

If you like gambling, Harrah's Rincon's slots and table rules are the tightest of all the Casinos in the area, but their comps are the best for their players club. I usually play the minimum to use up my comps at Harrahs and then take off to play with my own money at either Valley View Casino 4.5 miles to the south, or Casino Pauma 6 miles to the north-west. Once Harrah's figures out my pattern, I suspect they'll stop comping me generously every month, but they haven't yet.

If you like gambling, Harrah's Rincon's slots and table rules are the tightest of all the Casinos in the area, but their comps are the best for their players club. I usually play the minimum to use up my comps at Harrahs and then take off to play with my own money at either Valley View Casino 4.5 miles to the south, or Casino Pauma 6 miles to the north-west. Once Harrah's figures out my pattern, I suspect they'll stop comping me generously every month, but they haven't yet.

Great info - we've been to Valley View a couple of times when we stayed at Harrah's but never to Pauma. We will definitely check it out. We stayed at Harrah's for the reason you mentioned - we had comps because of playing at places like Tahoe, Reno, and Phoenix Ak-Chin.

Great info - we've been to Valley View a couple of times when we stayed at Harrah's but never to Pauma. We will definitely check it out. We stayed at Harrah's for the reason you mentioned - we had comps because of playing at places like Tahoe, Reno, and Phoenix Ak-Chin.

BTW, Pauma is running great comps this month - especially for someone who's never played there before. You get $20 in free play for signing up for their player's club, and every day, player's club members can get $30 in play for $20. Unlike Harrahs, Pauma's comps are full value chips that remain in play if you win. Harrah's comp chips are only good for a single play, and come off the table win or lose, and only pay out 1-1, irrespective of the odds of the bet you made, or if you got a blackjack.

A couple of quick notes-- I like Harrah's Rincon, it has a nice "locals" feel and the pool area is great. Also had a really nice steak dinner there.

As FrAAmer said, Idyllwild is quite charming and I would probably choose it over Julian, but really, if you're just looking for a fun road trip, either will be great.

We ended up skipping Julian and going to Valley View and Harrah's, as we had tickets for the Natalie Cole/Gladys Knight concert at Harrah's. Thanks everyone for all the excellent ideas.

BTW, we found a great restaurant in Solana Beach that I described in another thread called Claire's.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/california/1372996-restaurant-suggestions-north-san-diego-county.html