Return to Julian Trip Itinerary

This trip was a repeat of what Julie and I had done nearly 8 years prior.

The difference with this trip was that we had endured a bit of a drought, there was no unexpected snow storm, and we came in with more knowledge so we knew the main waterfalls to target.

Since it was an early Valentines Day visit, we left Tahia at home with Julie’s Mom.

Here are some highlights and a summary of our trip itinerary…

Trip Map

Cedar Creek Falls – when it came to this waterfall, Julie was met with disappointment nearly 15 years ago as the falls was not flowing. So she waited a long time before she finally got to see this one perform. I myself hadn’t visited this waterfall in nearly 8 years when I went with my Mom on a long day trip to get here and back. We definitely noticed that this place grew in popularity over the years.

Julian – When it came to Julian’s claim to fame, it certainly seemed like the apple pie was it. In the past, we barely had time to experience the town, but since Julie and I were older and wiser, we took the time to really enjoy the small town in addition to its delectable delights.

Three Sisters Falls – this waterfall involved one of the more difficult and dicier hikes we’d ever done locally. But the rewards of being close to the miracle of waterfalls in such a hot and dry climate really made us appreciate how special this part of San Diego County was.

Day 1: Drive from Los Angeles to Julian

Overnight: Butterfield Bed and Breakfast (Julian, California, USA)

This was basically a driving day, where we didn’t start the drive until I had gotten off work. So we only had time to arrive in time for a late dinner in the town of Julian before checking in and crashing for the night. Strangely, the Apple Room that we stayed in was the same room we had stayed in 8 years prior! Whether that was by coincidence or it made sense for us to do it was unknown, but it really felt like deja vu and it brought back memories of our first visit.

Day 2: Cedar Creek Falls, Julian, and Cottonwood Creek Falls

Overnight: Butterfield Bed and Breakfast (Julian, California, USA)

We had a day at leisure in Julian so we spent the day first visiting the Cedar Creek Falls (from the Julian side) in the morning (leading us by the Mildred Falls), then having lunch in the town of Julian, before driving out to Cottonwood Creek Falls, which was a bit of an adventure due to that waterfall’s obscurity.

Day 3: Three Sisters Falls, Julian, then drive Home

We began this day by doing the much-anticipated (but difficult) hike to the Three Sisters Falls. That took the better part of the day. We then started driving home with a brief stopover in Julian as well as a short detour for the Ramona trailhead to Cedar Creek Falls just to scout it out (and not actually do the whole hike again). We wound up at home pretty late in the evening.