Sunday, January 26, 2025

JULIAN

Share

An hour away from San Diego tucked among the pines and mountain peaks you will find the charming historic mountain town of Julian. Originally settled in 1869 after the Civil War, this town has kept its character but has developed wonderful options for dining, lodging and activities to attract families, outdoor adventure seekers and romantic couples.

Julian is at an elevation of over 4,200 feet where you will find four distinct seasons, wildlife, lakes, streams, hiking trails, fishing, clear mountain air, starry skies at night and during the winter, snow. In town one will find art galleries, antique shops, a gold mine, wineries and lodging.

The most luxurious accommodations in Julian can be found at Orchard Hill Country Inn, recipient of the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award and rated as one of the “Top Six Lodges in the West” by Sunset Magazine.   The intimate and quaint Orchard Hill has a total of 22 romantic rooms including 12 deluxe cottage rooms with porches, patios or decks, in-room refrigerators, fireplaces; and many with whirlpool bathtubs.

Owners Pat and Darrel Straube instantly make you feel at home and their courteous staff attends to your every need. You can have the staff prepare a picnic lunch for two as you explore the grounds with water features, hammocks, even an abandoned gold mine.  If you exert yourself too much on your hike, the masseuse is just a phone call away. Your stay includes full breakfast and afternoon hors d’oeuvres with wine or beer as you mingle with the other guests in the main lodge’s Great Room.

While apples dominate the menus of most establishments in Julian, fine dining can also be found at the Orchard Hill Country Inn where dinner is served in the private dining room. The four-course meals feature only the freshest ingredients such as fish flown in from Alaska, herbs grown in their own garden and oven baked bread.  After your meal, you can return to the Great Room, listen to the piano by the warm firelight or make your way to your room knowing that your special Julian day will be followed by a perfectly restful night where the only sound to be heard is the wind whispering through the pine trees.

Many guests have been returning to Orchard Hill Country Inn for years, and we know that with the luxury, warmth and attention to detail, you too will want to make this your ESCAPADITA.

Orchard Hill Country Inn www.orchardhill.com (760) 765-1700

Esteban Villanueva
Esteban Villanueva
Esteban Villanueva was born in Washington D.C. and raised in La Jolla. He attended both Francis Parker and The Bishop’s School locally before going to Dartmouth College where he received his B.S. in Biology and Pepperdine School of Law where he received his J.D. focusing Entertainment Law. He worked in the Latin music industry where his projects went on to win 14 Grammy Awards for artists including Ricky Martin and Carlos Santana. After starting GB Magazine with Danitza Villanueva in 2007, he has gone on to win awards and recognition from the community for his support of helping raise millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Air & Space Museum and resides in East County in San Diego where he and his wife Danitza run DAESVI Publishing, home to GB Magazine, among several other publications.

Read more

Latest