Quaint mountain town famous for its apple pies is overrun with tourists and long lines after influencers crowed about it on social media

UK Daily Mail ^ | 24 November 2025 | ALEXA CIMINO

[dennisw]

A historic gold-mining town has turned into a crowded hotspot - with locals warning that the once-peaceful retreat had been transformed by TikTok and Instagram.

Julian, a rustic town tucked in the Cuyamaca Mountains about an hour east of San Diego, with a population of roughly 1,500, had long been celebrated for its iconic apple pies and historic streets lined with specialty shops.

But, in recent years, the influx of tourists has skyrocketed, leaving residents and visitors grappling with traffic jams, packed restaurants and hours-long waits on weekends.

David Lewis, who grew up in Julian and now works at the Julian Pioneer Museum, said the surge was unlike anything he had seen before.

'It's on steroids. It's kind of nuts up here,' he told NBC San Diego.

Julian's Main Street, once a quiet mountain escape, became packed with visitors lining up for pies and photo ops.

Locals said social media partly fueled the boom.

'It's been blowing up all over TikTok and Instagram,' Karina Chaire added.

[algore]

my grandfather used to tell me stories about his father hanging out with Johnny when I was little.

I always thought Johnny was a mythical figure like Paul Bunyan until I was reading a history book in 9th grade, but unfortunately my grandfather was dead.

[Myrddin]

Apple pie and cherry cider were always my favorites. A run to Dudley's bakery on the way back to San Diego was a required part of the trip. My last visit to Julian was for the funeral for the father of one of my shirt tail relatives. It was good to visit with the family. Her dad owned a cabin in Julian and she worked in the bakery and tended bar in town. The cabin was sold and she moved to Colorado.

It's disappointing to see Julian abused by internet fame.

[CircleCityHamburgerMan]

Influencers are like diaherea - always running off and the mess ruining perfectly good stuff. In this case Apple pies. Which will now likely become extremely low quality since demand is thru the roof. Probably import some Chinese apples to maximize profit.

[dennisw]

“Publix does a lot right. I am a fan of their fried chicken.”

Try Aldi’s Kirkwood in a box frozen. I liked it better. A few $ less than Publix. Unfortunately this item fades in and out where I live.

[grame]

All those historical people seem distant and unconnected to us. But I remember my grandma telling me about Johnny Appleseed. And as an adult I realized how his journey is marked by the seeds he dropped! Amazing. One man, so so many trees, even more apples.

[FreedomPoster]

We have one, but I’ve been in it like twice, not generally a fan. We had Lidl where I lived until a few years ago, and for a German grocery, they’re my pick over Aldi. Excellent bakery, their croissants are French bakery level.

[Bobbyvotes]

I will look for it at Aldi.

[pops88]

Ya’ know what I’m talking about. It’s sad when you get half way through one and realize you’ve seen it before, they’re so memorably the same. LOL.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Agreed. We would probably have the ‘Cool Commie Kids’ driving in from ‘The People’s Republic of Madistan’ to ruin things. ;)

[cyclotic]

I didn’t see any of it.

[cyclotic]

I didn’t see any of it.

[cyclotic]

I didn’t see any of it.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

My mom made the world’s best apple pie - unfortunately the apples had to come from our tree in the back yard in suburban Pittsburgh and she took the recipe to the grave with her.

[cherry]

My dentist went to Gettysburg..

[Lurker]

We should talk sometime.

L

[Omnivore-Dan]

Well, I checked and am disappointed I didn’t know about it sooner, since we’re not that far away, we would have gone this year. but plan on a day trip next year. Thanks for mentioning it.
https://www.appleharvest.com/

[Joe 6-pack]

Hope you enjoy! My sister and her family are in western PA about 3.5 hours away and usually make a day trip out of it. I don’t think they made it this year though.

[Omnivore-Dan]

I checked google maps and it’s about a 3 hr. drive for us, we live in north western Jersey. Plenty of places to stay overnight in Gettysburg, close to the festival. I wasn’t really impressed when I first found out about it until I went on the website. Hot rods, ribs and lots of other food, apple everything, and I would also like to see Gettysburg, never been there either.

[Omnivore-Dan]

Ha! All the way over on the other coast I used to call it “Mexican dirtweed”. If I remember correctly, I was the first one in my neck of the woods to coin that phrase, probably 1968. I bough a bag that was supposed to be some kick as Jamaican, but it was Mexican junk and really did taste like dirt. “Grow yer own”.

[BullDog108]

Great story!