Inside B&B Tour Set for May 9

By Bobbi Zane

Four Julian bed and breakfast establishments will open their doors to locals and visitors for their annual tour on May 19.

Participating in the daylong event, sponsored by the Julian Bed and Breakfast Guild, are Villa de Valor and Eaglenest, both located in town within walking distance of each other. The others are Wikiup and Lutz Castle, set among the trees in Whispering Pines, according to Valorie Ashley, president of the guild.

This annual event is designed to reveal the delights of these special accommodations to locals and visitors alike. Innkeepers at each property will conduct their own tours, offering bits of local lore and history as it pertains to their inns. Great cooks all, they will also offer refreshments based on their popular breakfast service.

The Guild members include a variety of lodgings: commercial inns, private homes, plus several cabins and cottages. Each B&B is unique and reflects the

character of the innkeepers, as well as the history of the lodging itself. Ranging from ranch style to Victorian, with theme rooms and beautiful gardens, visitors to Julian can enjoy an in-town inn, convenient to shops and restaurants, a countryside inn in a rural neighborhood. Self-contained cabins or cottages, while not offering breakfast, offer some advantages of a small home. Most have kitchens for guest use, and provide the element of seclusion.

Amenities vary at each B&B, with fireplaces, spas, gardens and well-appointed gathering areas. Gourmet breakfasts are always a highlight of the guests' stay. A high level of personal service exemplifies the B&B experience providing special attention to the needs of each guest.

Maps showing locations of participating bed and breakfasts are available at the Julian Chamber of Commerce in Town Hall; phone (760) 765-1857 for information. The $10 fee admits all members of a touring party.