Julian Apple Festival

If you’re visiting us in San Diego this autumn be sure to make the drive out to Julian for the Fall Apple Harvest. The Fall Apple Harvest is a two-month event hosted in Julian, California, which is approximately an hour outside of San Diego. The event takes place through September and October and draws crowds from all over the United States. The Apple Harvest has something for everyone, from roadside fruit stands to wine tastings and even hikes on nearby Volcon mountain. This event—and the great taste of a Julian apple—have truly made this small town a household name.

The bakeries in Julian have become well-known throughout California for featuring some of the most appetizing baked goods around. Julian’s specialty, however, is the warm, flaky taste of an apple pie baked with the most fresh ingredient available. To get a taste of this celebrated dessert you’ll want to pay a visit to The Julian Pie Company, Apple Alley Bakery or Mom’s Pie House, all of which are guaranteed to satisfy even the most relentless sweet tooth.

Every Sunday during the harvest the Certified Julian Farmers Market opens up to the public. The market allows local farmers to showcase their fresh organic produce, nuts, eggs and specialty foods ranging from mouth-watering salsa and tamales, to sambusa, kettle corn and fresh baked breads. This event draws a weekend crowd from 11 am to 4 pm at the Wynola Farms Marketplace.

September boasts even more exciting culinary events for visitors to the Julian area, including the Santa Ysabel

Casino Best Back Country Chili Cook Off on September 18^th. This exciting competition will give you the chance to taste the best and most varied selection of chili that Southern California has to offer. If you would like to participate, the entry fee is $35-$40 and cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place. Decorate your booth with some personal flair and enter to win $100 worth of free play at the Santa Ysabel Casino.

On October 2^nd and 3^rd come out for the Julian Apple Days Festival, which is a special part of the harvest celebration. The festival is held at the Menghini Winery and features apple displays, music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children’s games and activities, gold panning demonstrations, a beer and wine garden, food and merchandise vendors, contests and, of course, plenty of delicious apple pie. The festival offers an activity to entertain just about anyone, and tickets are only $5 for adults and free for children under 12, so feel free to bring the whole family!

So when you’re visiting us at the Ocean Park Inn for some beautiful beachside weather this September or October we’d recommend you also make the short trip out to Julian for these exciting events—and a slice of world-famous apple pie.

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San Diego Fall Colors

As summer comes to a close many parts of the country begin to cool off, leaves begin to change colors and people begin to prepare for the harsh winter ahead. However, at the Ocean Park Inn our guests will find that San Diego’s climate sustains an ideal 70 degree temperature throughout the later months of the year, cooled only slightly by a brisk fall breeze that blows across the county.

Thanks to the comfortable weather San Diego is a fantastic fall vacation destination, and there are a number of local attractions and events to partake in while you visit. One such event is the annual Harvest Festival, which takes place in late October at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This is an arts and crafts festival that boasts a wide variety of artsy keepsakes from handmade clothing items, to ornate blown glass vases. Our guests are also encouraged to make the trip up to the Annual Julian Apple Harvest where you will be able to shop, hike, go for a horseback ride or try a world famous Julian Apple Pie from Mom’s Pie House in the beautiful fall weather. Football fans will want to come out and see all of the Chargers action at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers have a challenging fall swing facing the Cardinals, Patriots and Titans at home in the month of October, so you’re sure to find a thrilling game. To please the palette you may want to attend the largest wine and culinary event in the San Diego region at the annual San Diego Bay Wine and Food festival. This tasty event offers the opportunity to dine on gourmet food, meet celebrity chefs, and taste some of the famous fine wines of Californian origin. To round out an eclectic visit to San Diego this Fall we’d like to recommend a stop at the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival, where you will find a wide variety of live musical performances ranging from traditional jazz, to Dixieland, and even swing.

There’s certainly something for everyone underneath the still-shining San Diego sun this autumn, and even in October, you won’t want to miss a comfortable stroll along some of the most beautiful beaches on the West Coast. So when you’re planning your fall vacation, be sure to top your destination list with San Diego and the Ocean Park Inn.

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