The historic town of Julian in San Diego’s North County is known for its apples. At 4,200 feet elevation, the mountain climate is usually perfect for growing the fruit. But this year, most of the town’s dozen orchards have fallen victim to drought.
Les Turner is the owner of Peacefield Apple Orchard, which has 550 trees — some of them 100 years old. He said the hot and dry winter and an unusual spring frost depleted his crop.
“Last year we had 3,500 people come on to the orchard to 'U-Pick' and we still had apples beyond that,” Turner said. “This year we’ve had 12 or 13 people. This year was just dreadful."
Turner said he’s all out of fruit and closed for the season, along with all but two of the town’s other orchards.
Still, Julian Chamber Of Commerce officer manager Krisie Morgan said next weekend’s annual Apple Days festival will go on — with plenty of apple pie, games and entertainment.
“Julian is a lot more than apple pies and apple picking,” Morgan said. “We have a beautiful history — we had the only gold rush in Southern California — and our town is still kept just as it was in the 1800s."
Morgan said the two-day celebration on Oct. 4-5 is expected to draw up to 5,000 visitors.
