Julian, California

Julian
Main Street in Julian
Motto(s): 
"four seasons of beauty & fun..."
Location in San Diego County and the state of California
Julian
Location in the United States
Julian
Julian (southern California)
Julian
Julian (California)
Julian
Julian (the United States)
Coordinates: 33°4′15″N 116°35′8″W / 33.07083°N 116.58556°W / 33.07083; -116.58556
Country United States
State California
CountySan Diego
Named afterMike Julian
Area
 • Total
7.886 sq mi (20.425 km2)
 • Land7.886 sq mi (20.425 km2)
 • Water0 sq mi (0 km2)  0%
Elevation
4,226 ft (1,288 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,768
 • Density224.2/sq mi (86.56/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (PST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
92036
Area codes442/760
FIPS code06-37582
GNIS feature ID1652732
WebsiteJulian Chamber of Commerce
Reference no.412

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 time of 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.