thoughts on julian ca? (San Diego, Poway: eat, suburban, place)

[T. Damon]

Originally Posted by kbuhagiar

We just relocated from Sonora to Escondido. We fell in love with Sonora many moons ago but the bloom has been off the rose for a few years now. As we got older we realized we could no longer tolerate the dearth of good medical services. Plus, sadly the Covid epidemic brought out the worst in some of the locals. The homeless problem is getting exponentially worse there than in many other adjacent communities, mainly because local officials refuse to do anything about it. Many large stores have pulled out of the area, and the last remaining department store (Kohl's) may close soon if their corporate takeover is approved. Sonora is still beautiful, and we still enjoy our visits there, but we are much happier living in rural Escondido, where we still have the country living but are much closer to amenities and family.

I grew up in Sonora in the ‘70’s, before there was such a thing as East Sonora or even more than one signal light in the county. The large house I grew up in has been a popular B&B for years and my brothers still live in Jamestown and Murphys. I agree with you that it still is a beautiful little town and also becoming increasingly overrun with backpack wearing (for all the things they steal) druggie vagabonds as much of rural Northern California has become. The By-Pass and development of East Sonora make it very much a place I barely recognize or care to discover so my very fond memories of it being a very much settled and welcoming town is enough for me - you can never go back home again.

Escondido has plenty of the rural nature to take in and hopefully it sounds like you’ve settled in just fine and the easy access to the small mountain towns here can bring back some of that “gold rush towns in the foothills” qualities that the Gold Country up north has in spades. Glad it sounds like you’ve found a good place here.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Originally Posted by Redflag71

Business name?

Julian Pie Co.

https://www.julianpie.com/

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Originally Posted by kbuhagiar

We just relocated from Sonora to Escondido. We fell in love with Sonora many moons ago but the bloom has been off the rose for a few years now. As we got older we realized we could no longer tolerate the dearth of good medical services. Plus, sadly the Covid epidemic brought out the worst in some of the locals. The homeless problem is getting exponentially worse there than in many other adjacent communities, mainly because local officials refuse to do anything about it. Many large stores have pulled out of the area, and the last remaining department store (Kohl's) may close soon if their corporate takeover is approved. Sonora is still beautiful, and we still enjoy our visits there, but we are much happier living in rural Escondido, where we still have the country living but are much closer to amenities and family.

So sad to hear about the Sonora decline. We used to go up to the Mother Lode Country on a regular basis in the 1990s, and it's been one of our favorite places in CA, especially Jamestown. I guess we should be prepared for changes if we go back.

[msgsing]

There’s almost no where to park and you have to pay to use a bathroom.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by msgsing

There’s almost no where to park and you have to pay to use a bathroom.

I drive a lifted 4 x 4 F-350. Even on a good day it ain't happenin. I usually buy something from the feed store and ask if I can park there for an hour.

[Dave Coe]

There is a great restaurant in Julian called The Rongbanch.

[NORTY FLATZ]

RongbRanch saloon is what you're thinking of.

[NORTY FLATZ]

On the way up the hill to Julian, you’ll pass Wynola. (Unless you come up from the desert side.)
Situated, in Wynola, is “Heroes Pizza and grub.”
Here’s their “Hawaiian & artichoke dip deal.”

[NORTY FLATZ]

Here’s the place…

[NYSD1995]

Never really understood the appeal of Julian. It's like a 1 day a year place. There is some ok hiking and some good MTB around there if that floats yer boat. No skiing, climbing or real mountain stuff to do. Some fishing but not a destination. I guess if you really want to look at trees and go for easy hikes. ORV or moto stuff I guess. if you were a rancher on the other hand... Just seems like you are constantly going to have to go back into San Diego for a lot of stuff. Better like going to Ramona. Borrego Springs has much more adventure nearby but also not a place I'd want to live.