Small Towns to Visit Near San Diego

San Diego, California is known as "America's Finest City." With 70 miles of beaches and family-friendly activities, you'll never get bored with the likes of Seaworld, Wild Animal Park, Legoland and the San Diego Zoo to keep you occupied. If you're not into theme parks, you can take a hike along the cliffs at Torrey Pines or stroll along the shops on the ferry landing in Coronado. While many people are familiar with these areas, what they may not know is San Diego is also home to country and desert getaways. There are towns within the county of San Diego that you can visit if you are up for exploring.

Known for its apple pies, Julian is a premier mountain getaway. It's just about an hour east of San Diego in the Cuyamaca mountains. Its roots date back to the gold rush era and you'll love its old country charm. Julian was founded after the Civil War. Cousins Drue Bailey and Mike Julian, two former Confederate soldiers found a meadow between Volcan Mountain and the Cuyamacas and decided to settle. When Cattleman Fred Coleman found the first gold flakes in a creek, San Diego's first and only gold rush started. It brought pioneers to this part of the country and even though the gold rush didn't last long, the town continued to flourish with animal pastures and crops, especially apples. The town was eventually named after Mike who became San Diego's County Assessor.

You can visit several shops in historic buildings, stay at a comfy bed and breakfast or hotel, taste Julian's famous apple pies or ride in a horse-drawn carriage. You can even participate in a little bit of gold mining if it fancies your interest. If you feel like getting away from the city, this is a perfect place to visit.

Julian Chamber of Commerce 2129 Main St. Julian, CA 92036 760-765-1857 julianca.com

Borrego Springs is a desert community in northeast San Diego County. It's surrounded by the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Originally settled by Kumeyaay Indians and later by Spanish settlers and the U.S. Army and Navy after World War II, Borrego Springs became a Hollywood celebrity getaway in the 1950s.

There many recreational activities available for the desert explorer including hiking, golfing, playing tennis or just taking in the sun. If you feel like trying your luck at poker, there is Indian gaming. Fortunately, there are three casinos nearby: Red Earth, Viejas and Santa Ysabel Casino. Borrego Springs is also home to San Diego's only wine tasting tour. Whether you take the desert tour, golf or play a game of blackjack, you'll find Borrego Springs the perfect desert getaway.

Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce 786 Palm Canyon Drive
P.O. Box 420 Borrego Springs CA 92004-0420
800-559-5524 borregospringschamber.com

About 26 miles east of San Diego beaches, Fallbrook has a rich history spanning over one hundred years. The Santa Fe Railroad ran through this town from 1881 to the early 1970. A special Santa Fe train brought passengers from Los Angeles to Fallbrook for the annual Avocado Festival.

There are many outdoor activities in the area. Golf, radio-controlled model airplane fields and an airpark for pilots are just some of what is available to the visiting tourist. Some of Fallbrook's favorite attractions are its farmers' markets, Live Oak Park--one of the most beautiful parks in San Diego County--Mission Theater and Myrtle Creek Nursery.

Village News 127 W. Elder St. Fallbrook, CA 92028-2058 760- 723-7319 fallbrook.org