Julian (Calif.)

Julian is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California, which developed as a classic gold rush boomtown in the 1870s after gold was discovered by Fred Coleman, attracting miners, a tent city, rapid growth with saloons and stores, and discussions of becoming a county seat, before transitioning into a more stable community with agriculture and tourism. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,768, up from 1,502 at the 2010 census. Julian is an official California Historical Landmark (No. 412). The Julian townsite and surrounding area is defined by the San Diego County Zoning Ordinance Section 5749 as the Julian Historic District. This designation requires that development adhere to certain guidelines administered by the Architectural Review Board of the Julian Historic District, which is appointed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Julian was named an International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark-Sky Association in May 2021. It was the 30th such designation and the second in California. The town is known for its apple pie and its annual Julian Apple Days Festival, which began in 1949.