Julian

We don't rate places, roads or trails as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a ride is, and places riders like draw more riders, so they see more crashes. What the records show: 20 motorcycle crashes were reported within a mile of Julian from 2021–2025, 6 of them serious or fatal. The most were at SR-78 & Whispering Pines Dr (6). The riding roads that lead there: Banner Grade (SR-78) (29 crashes along 19.4 mapped miles), Highway 79 (Descanso to Julian) (122 crashes along 32.2 mapped miles). What to watch for on Banner Grade (SR-78): Tight corners on a steep grade, weekend Julian traffic, and desert heat at the bottom.

• Banner Grade (SR-78)Steep, winding descent from Julian down to the desert at Banner.Passes right by it · 19.4 mi of road · 29 motorcycle crashes (0 fatal)
• Highway 79 (Descanso to Julian)Rolling road through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park between Descanso and Julian.Passes right by it · 32.2 mi of road · 122 motorcycle crashes (5 fatal)

1. 6 crashes · 3 serious or fatal

   SR-78 & Whispering Pines Dr

   Falls and fixed objects

   6 of 6 crashes were a fall or hitting an object, with no other vehicle involved. Traffic is posted at about 55 mph.

   See it on the map
2. 5 crashes · 2 serious or fatal

   State Route 78 & Payson Drive

   Falls and fixed objects

   3 of 5 crashes were a fall or hitting an object, with no other vehicle involved. Traffic is posted at about 55 mph.

   See it on the map
3. 3 crashes

   SR-78 (Main St.) & C St

   Side-impact crashes at the junction

   2 of 3 crashes were broadside: a vehicle hit at an angle, usually a driver pulling out of a side street or driveway, turning across, or running the signal.

   See it on the map

• 65% involved no other vehicle, usually running wide or losing grip.
• 10% involved a car turning left across the rider.

Where is Julian?

Old gold-mining town known for apple pie, where SR-78 meets SR-79. Its location is 33.0786, -116.60232.

Which riding roads go to Julian?

Riding roads within 5 miles of Julian: Banner Grade (SR-78) (right by it), Highway 79 (Descanso to Julian) (right by it). Each has a page with what the road is like, what to watch for and its crash record.

How long does it take to ride to Julian?

It depends where you start. On our motorcycling map, Ride to… gives the ride time from where you are, or from anywhere you move the map, and plans a route with the weather and the crashes reported along it.

Where does this data come from?

Crash counts are police reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) on data.ca.gov, counted only where they have map coordinates. The place's location is from OpenStreetMap, and the forecast from the National Weather Service.