Posted on 11/25/2025 4:49:00 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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If you build it, they will come. Or not, in which case you’ve wasted a lot of time and money.
:: Of course, all I got was an attaboy. ::
I’m confused.
Wasn’t the increased revenue enough reward?
Years back (decades, really), when I was a student at Gettysburg College, nearby Biglerville, PA held the National Apple Harvest Festival every October. It was pretty awesome; haven't been there for a very long time, but hope it hasn't sold out like so many things tend to do these days.
You might have to say Thanks to Johnny Appleseed for that!
But...they make it look so EASY on HGTV!
I’ve ‘flipped’ a few houses in my day, but that’s the extent of my ‘experience.’ Beau is the Electrician/Builder/Plumber so he knows how much work it would be. ;)
Them damn TikTokers ruin everything.
Where the bride-to-be is a single mother who returned with her daughter to her home town after her divorce. The groom-to-be made a fortune in business but is out in the country trying to find himself as a writer.
I want to drive a couple of hours and wait in line with a bunch of other people that have nothing to do.
Julian was like that during pie time 35 years ago
Only in California would a business complain about business being good. SMH
How about the world’s largest cheese shop?
https://youtu.be/QJMa7lPPW2g?si=oKwv4UPuglbF4WIr
But you see, if you are influenced, you are becoming a part of an influenced group. Waiting in line is part of the joy of being influenced
My wife grew up in a home built in the 1890's in Minnesota. Apple trees provided all the shade back then, and everyone would get so tired of canning apples, apple sauce and fresh apple pies by the end of summer. Life was different before AC.
This place is blowing up because it is a day trip from San Diego.
If they ever had a chance to try one of her Mom's apple pies or apple kuchen, then they would know true peace. At least after dinner.
Johnny Appleseed - he was a real person!
Sounds like Estes in Colorado.
My and I went to Julian to stay at a bed & breakfast for our anniversary in the late 90s. It was a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of San Diego. We didn’t see crowds like that.
Thank you Johnny Appleseed! Ok, I said it.
I agree. The apple pie from Publix bakery is 10 times better.
I’ve been to Estes when my dad lived in Loveland Colorado back in the 90’s, but not in the fall. Beautiful park, saw elk, antelope Steller’s jays, and marmots you could walk right up to, quite tame.
Great addition! Plenty of Cheesemakers (and Cheeseheads) here! :)
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